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“A Wagner Matinée” by Willa Cather
Reading Warm-up A
Read the following passage. Pay special attention to the underlined words. Then, read it again,
and complete the activities. Use a separate sheet of paper for your written answers.
In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries,
millions of immigrants streamed off ships from Europe to
alight on American soil for the first time. The majority of
these newcomers settled in eastern cities, such as New
York, Philadelphia, Boston, and Baltimore. Many of them
joined relatives who were already here. These family
members could help the new arrivals comprehend the
challenges of building a new life. They could assist with
learning an unfamiliar language, finding a place to live,
and securing a job.
A number of immigrants, however, traveled westward
to the Great Plains. In return for cheap land, these
settlers were prepared to endure a pitiless climate of
scorching summers and freezing winters. Many of these
Midwestern farmers were from Scandinavia and central
Europe.
In many of her novels, Willa Cather celebrated the
Czech and Slovak farmers of Nebraska. She thought of
them as unsung heroes. Their legacy of courage and
endurance, passed down to their descendants, deserved
commemoration, Cather believed. In his book Giants in
the Earth, published in 1927, the novelist Ole Edvart
Rölvaag wrote about the Norwegian homesteaders of the
Dakota Territory.
Both Cather and Rölvaag were realistic in their portrayals of the immigrants’ farm life. The farmers’ existence was
so harsh that many homesteaders became haggard—worn
out with fatigue. Some of the characters struggle vainly
against misfortune and are crushed by the obstacles they
encounter. Other characters are luckier, eluding disaster
and disappointment. In the end, for both authors, a person winning out in this challenging environment is almost
like a conjuror, whose magical abilities suffice to build a
new life full of hope and promise.
1. Underline the words in this
sentence that give a clue to
the meaning of alight. Use
the word alight in an original
sentence.
2. Circle the words in this and
the next sentence that give a
clue to the meaning of the
word comprehend. What is a
synonym for comprehend?
3. Underline the words that
give a clue to the meaning of
pitiless. What is an antonym
for pitiless?
4. Circle the words that offer
a clue to the meaning of
legacy here. What is a synonym for the word legacy?
5. Circle the words in this sentence that offer clues to the
meaning of haggard. Write
two words meaning the
opposite of haggard.
6. Underline the words in this
sentence that give a clue to
the meaning of vainly. What
are two antonyms for vainly?
7. Circle the words in this sentence that give a clue to the
meaning of eluding. Use the
word eluding in an original
sentence.
8. Underline the words in this
sentence hinting at the
meaning of conjuror. Use the
word conjuror in an original
sentence.
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“A Wagner Matinée” by Willa Cather
Reading Warm-up B
Read the following passage. Pay special attention to the underlined words. Then, read it again,
and complete the activities. Use a separate sheet of paper for your written answers.
As an art form, opera is over 400 years old. Developed
in Italy in the early 1600s, operas are unique fusions of
song, orchestral accompaniment, and stage effects. These
effects include costumes, scenery, and lighting. In an ideal
performance, all these elements exist in a harmonious,
balanced combination.
Many people find opera difficult to understand, however. Some critics mock operatic works as absurdities
that no reasonable person can take seriously. Critics
claim that operas characteristically possess unrealistic
plots, which depend on coincidence so much that they
are wholly unbelievable. According to these skeptics,
operatic characters exemplify ridiculous extremes. At
some points, they exhibit a frenzy of wild emotions, and
at others they lapse into static immobility.
Opera’s fans, on the other hand, claim that no other art
form contains such rich possibilities of expression. Without unduly glorifying opera, or putting it on a pedestal, it
must be acknowledged that the form afforded great composers like Richard Wagner and Giuseppe Verdi wonderful
artistic opportunities. For example, two or more characters singing together could express varying or conflicting
emotions at the same time. Orchestral themes could function like flashbacks or foreshadowing in literature, signaling a memory of the past or a hint about the future.
Profound emotions could be illustrated on stage, ranging
from the triumphant to the pathetic.
In the end, opera has not turned out to be everybody’s
cup of tea. People like Aunt Georgiana in Willa Cather’s
story, “A Wagner Matinée,” are still in the minority, and
opera has never been hugely popular, at least in America.
Let there be no doubt, however, that opera’s fans are
passionate, if they are anything!
1. Underline the words in this
sentence that give a clue to
the meaning of harmonious.
Write two words meaning the
opposite of harmonious.
2. Circle the words in this sentence that give a clue to the
meaning of absurdities. Are
absurdities logical or illogical?
3. What is a synonym for
characteristically? What
is an antonym for
characteristically?
4. Underline the words in this
sentence that give a clue to
the meaning of wholly. What
is a synonym for wholly?
5. Circle the words in this sentence that give a clue to the
meaning of frenzy. Write two
words meaning the opposite
of frenzy.
6. Underline the word in this
sentence that hints at the
meaning of immobility. What
is a synonym for immobility?
7. Underline the words in this
sentence that give a clue to
the meaning of pedestal. Is
this word used literally or
figuratively here?
8. Circle the words in this sentence that hint at the meaning
of the word pathetic.
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“A Wagner Matinée” by Willa Cather
Literary Analysis: Characterization
Most readers enjoy a story more when they feel as if they know the characters as people.
Characterization is the way in which a writer reveals a character’s personality. A writer can
make direct statements about a character, give a physical description, describe the character’s
actions, and/or tell the character’s thoughts and comments.
DIRECTIONS: Read each excerpt from the selection, and write down what each tells you about
the character of Aunt Georgiana.
1. “Whatever shock Mrs. Springer experienced at my aunt’s appearance she considerately
concealed.”
2. “. . . a plain, angular, spectacled woman of thirty.”
3. “. . . she eloped with him, eluding the reproaches of her family and the criticism of her
friends by going with him to the Nebraska frontier.”
4. “. . . in those days I owed to this woman most of the good that ever came my way, . . .”
5. “Don’t love it so well, Clark, or it may be taken from you.”
6. “When the violins drew out the first strain of the Pilgrims’ chorus, my Aunt Georgiana
clutched my coat sleeve.”
7. “Poor old hands! They were stretched and pulled and twisted into mere tentacles to hold,
and lift, and knead with; . . .”
8. “She burst into tears and sobbed pleadingly, ‘I don’t want to go, Clark, I don’t want to go!’”
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“A Wagner Matinée” by Willa Cather
Reading Strategy: Clarify
As you read, it is important to clarify, or check your understanding of, the details in what
you read. You can clarify the details by reading a footnote, looking up a word in the dictionary,
rereading a passage to refresh your memory, or reading ahead to find additional details.
DIRECTIONS: Read each phrase from the selection. Answer the question using one clarifying
strategy.
1. “. . . the gangling farmer boy my aunt had known, scourged with chilblains . . .”
What is a chilblain?
2. “[Aunt Georgiana] had come all the way in a day coach. . . .”
What was the origin of Aunt Georgiana’s trip, and what was her destination?
3. “One summer, which she had spent in the little village in the Green Mountains where her
ancestors had dwelt for generations, . . .”
Where are the Green Mountains?
4. “I suggested our visiting the Conservatory and the Common before lunch, . . .”
Why would Aunt Georgiana be interested in the Conservatory?
5. “. . . with the bitter frenzy of the Venusberg theme and its ripping of strings, . . .”
What is the significance of the term Venusberg?
6. “Soon after the tenor began the ‘Prize Song,’ I heard a quick-drawn breath, and turned to
my aunt. Her eyes were closed, but the tears were glistening on her cheeks, . . .”
Why did the “Prize Song” make Aunt Georgiana cry?
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“A Wagner Matinée” by Willa Cather
Support for Writing
As you prepare to write an editorial on Willa Cather’s portrayal of Nebraska, enter your
arguments in the chart below. Keep in mind that you will be writing as though you are the
editor of a Nebraska newspaper.
Why Willa Cather’s “A Wagner Matinée” Is Fair/Not Fair to Nebraskans
Example from story: Why it supports my opinion
Example from story: Why it supports my opinion
Example from story: Why it supports my opinion
On a separate page, put your examples in order of importance and write a draft of your editorial. When you revise your work, make sure you have used persuasive language to make your
point of view clear and powerful.
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“A Wagner Matinée” by Willa Cather
Enrichment: Music
Identity in Song
DIRECTIONS: Among some African tribes, a baby’s mother develops a song for the child. The
mother teaches the song to the rest of the village, and the music becomes the child’s song. The
village sings the song at important times throughout the child’s life—celebrations of achievement,
recovery from wounds or illness, and other ceremonies.
Find or write a song that represents you as a person—your song. Write the name of your
song and describe it. Tell why you identify with the song.
My Song:
This is my song because:
Some lines from the song that best describe me are:
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“A Wagner Matinée” by Willa Cather
Selection Test B
Critical Reading Identify the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers
the question.
1. The description of Aunt Georgiana as having “an incessant twitching of the mouth and
eyebrows . . . resulting from isolation and monotony, and from frequent physical suffering” reveals her character through
A. a dialogue with another character.
B. the narrator’s observations of her physical appearance.
C. her own thoughts and comments.
D. Mrs. Springer’s reactions.
2. The selection says that Aunt Georgiana and her husband “took a homestead in Red
Willow County.”6 The “6” tells us we can find out more about Red Willow County
A. in footnote number six.
B. in the sixth definition under County in a dictionary.
C. in the sixth map at the end of the book.
D. by reading six paragraphs ahead.
3. As a young boy, Clark appears to have been
A. oblivious and lazy.
B. tough and quick-witted.
C. studious and dull.
D. diligent and sensitive.
4. We learn in the first paragraph that the letter announcing Aunt Georgiana’s arrival
comes from Nebraska. Therefore, we assume she lives in Nebraska. We can find out
Aunt Georgiana lives on a small homestead in Red Willow County by
A. using an atlas.
B. reading a footnote.
C. reviewing past sentences.
D. reading ahead.
5. Which of the following aspects of Aunt Georgiana’s life does the author appear to value
most highly?
A. piety
B. poverty
C. modesty
D. devotion
6. The description of the Nebraska farm creates an atmosphere of
A. adventure and tension.
B. desolation and hardship.
C. boredom and apathy.
D. productivity and vitality.
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7. Which of the following factors probably contributed most to Aunt Georgiana’s general
bewilderment during her visit?
A. the long and difficult journey to Boston
B. her age, which had brought about a certain forgetfulness
C. the contrast in settings between Boston and the Nebraska farm
D. the suddenness of her departure from Nebraska
8. What is the central idea of “A Wagner Matinée”?
A. the oppression of women by men
B. the high price of foolish young love
C. the pain of realizing what you have lost
D. the hardships of frontier
9. What can the reader infer about Aunt Georgiana’s character from the following
passage?
She questioned me absently about various changes in the city, but she was chiefly concerned that she had forgotten to leave instructions about feeding half-skimmed milk to a
certain weakling calf.
A.
B.
C.
D.
She
She
She
She
tended to be absent-minded in her daily chores.
found it difficult to rely on others.
focused more on her responsibilities than on what gives her pleasure.
disliked the city and longed to be back on the farm.
10. Why does Clark come to live with Aunt Georgiana as a boy?
A. He was orphaned when he was a young boy.
B. His parents sent him there while they traveled in Europe.
C. He was an apprentice farmer for his Uncle Howard.
D. The selection does not explain.
11. Which is a reading strategy for clarifying?
A. knowing how other characters feel about the main character
B. knowing what tense the sentence is written in
C. memorizing sections of texts
D. rereading a previous passage to refresh your memory
12. The tone of “A Wagner Matinée” can best be described as
A. sympathetic.
B. distant.
C. accusatory.
D. apologetic.
13. Which of the following passages is an example of characterization?
A. “There they measured off their eighty acres by driving across the prairie in a
wagon. . . . ”
B. “When the musicians came out and took their places, she gave a little stir of
anticipation. . . . ”
C. “The world there is the flat world of the ancients. . . . ”
D. “. . . the people filed out of the hall chattering and laughing, glad to relax and find
the living level again. . . . ”
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Vocabulary
14. Which word is closest in meaning to the underlined word in the following excerpt?
“Well, we have come to better things than the old Trovatore at any rate, Aunt Georgie?” I
queried, with well-meant jocularity.
A.
B.
C.
D.
love
shyness
caution
humor
15. Clark uses the word reverential to describe his feelings for his aunt, meaning he
A. fears her.
B. respects her.
C. ignores her.
D. dislikes her.
16. Which word means most nearly the opposite of inert?
A. moving
B. motionless
C. vivid
D. basic
Essay
17. There are several indications that Aunt Georgiana retained her love of music throughout
her time in Nebraska. In an essay, describe which details in the selection indicate that
music remained alive in Aunt Georgiana’s heart, even years after she left the conservatory.
18. At the end of the story, Aunt Georgiana pleads with Clark that she does not want to leave
the concert. Write an essay in which you interpret the deeper meaning of her response to
the end of the concert. What does leaving the concert hall symbolize for Aunt Georgiana?
Support your explanation with details from the story.
19. In first-person narration, the reader learns only as much about the narrator as the narrator
chooses to reveal. A person reading “A Wagner Matinée” learns a great deal more about
Aunt Georgiana than about her nephew Clark. Write a descriptive essay about Clark, the
narrator, based on information in the story. Although nothing is said about Clark’s appearance, you can infer his personality from his thoughts, statements, and actions. Be as specific as possible, and support your observations with examples from the text.
20. Thinking About the Essential Question: What is the relationship between place and
literature? “A Wagner Matinee” tells about two places: the lonely Nebraska farm where
Aunt Georgiana spent most of her adulthood, and Boston, where she spent her youth and
to which she returns for a visit many years later. How does each setting influence her character? Develop your thoughts in an essay based on details from the story.
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