HW#5:
Name:
_____/10 points
Ms. Fittz
English 2
8 -12 September 2014
Homework #5: Due Friday, September 12.
1. Literary Terms. You are responsible for knowing the following literary terms. If you are unsure of any of the
following, please take some time to review both their definitions and their applications in the stories we have
read thus far. You will need to be able to define and apply all of the following on your Short Story Test
Friday, September 19.
Setting
Plot
Exposition
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution/Denouement
Conflict
Protagonist
Antagonist
Point of View
First Person
Second Person
Third Person Limited Omniscient
Third Person Omniscient
Hyperbole
Personification
Simile
Metaphor
Inference
Characterization
Symbolism
Irony
Verbal
Dramatic
Cosmic
Foreshadowing
Litotes (Understatement)
2. {____/1} Conflict. Identify and Explain two of the conflicts in “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe.
* _________ v. _________
Explain. ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
* _________ v. _________
Explain. ____________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
3. {____/1} Character. Identify the Protagonist and Antagonist in “The Black Cat.” Be sure to explain your
answers by identifying the driving action of the protagonist.
The protagonist in “The Black Cat” is ____________________________. He/She is driving the action of
____________________________________________________________________________
Based on this driving action, I would argue that the antagonist of “The Black Cat” is __________________
because ______________________________________________________________________
4. {____/1} Point of View. In which point of view did Edgar Allen Poe write “The Black Cat?” Use textual
evidence to support your answer.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
5. {____/1} Irony. Explain the irony of the falling action /resolution of “The Black Cat” by Edgar Allan Poe.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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6. {____/1} Edgar Allan Poe. Do some research on Edgar Allan Poe. What about his background do you think
influenced him to write stories like “The Black Cat?” Do you think there is a reason he enjoys writing such
macabre stories? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
7. {____/2} Symbolism & Pluto. Think about Pluto’s character in “The Black Cat.” How is Pluto’s name significant?
____________________________________________________________________________
“The Black Cat,” Pluto, can be taken to symbolize several things in Poe’s story. Explain two of the things you
think Pluto (or Pluto’s appearance) can be taken to symbolize.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
How many cats do you think are in this story? Explain your reasoning. ___________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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8.
{____/2} Foreshadowing. Explain how Edgar Allan Poe uses foreshadowing in “The Black Cat.”
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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9.
{____/1} Perverseness. On page 2, the narrator writes two paragraphs describing “perverseness.” (starting
with “in the meantime” and ending with “unoffending brute.” Do you think that we are all capable of the
perverseness described in this tale? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
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10. {____/2} Bonus Writing: Perfect Murder.
Choose one of the following questions to answer on a looseleaf sheet of paper (staple to HW to receive up to 2 bonus points in the writing section of your gradebook).
Option A: We have now seen two (presumably) “perfect” murders. Think back to what we studied last
Tuesday. Do you think that, if these murders were real, they would have been “perfect” murders in today’s
society with current technology? Why or why not?
Option B: We have now met two murderers, Mary Maloney and the narrator in “The Black Cat.” Which
murderer do you think is more justified in his/her actions? (which murderer do you understand the actions of
more?) Why?
Be prepared to answer the following essay question regarding Characterization: Is this story told by: a sane
narrator recalling supernatural events, or an insane narrator recalling reality as he saw it? Use textual evidence
(at least two quotes) to support your answer.
Have your September 8-11 Agendas & Materials completed and ready to rock n’ roll for our Quiz Friday.