Freshman Summer Reading Assignment
Gulfport High School
English I
Our first unit of study in English I will be analyzing short stories to determine not only
the author’s purpose and use of language but also the thematic message of the story.
This unit will heavily focus on learning to write responses to the stories we read and analyze. To make
sure we are ready to dive into this when we begin English I your freshman year, you will need to practice
with some short stories this summer. You will need to read all five stories and complete the analysis for
each story.
The Short Stories – each of these short stories must be read and the assignment completed. These short
stories can all be found easily online. Just search for the title with the author’s name, searching for the
full text. All of these stories are in a book that can be checked out from the high school librarian. She
will have these available beginning the first of July.
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“Masque of the Red Death” by Edgar Allan Poe
“The Necklace” by Guy de Maupassant
“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry
“Tobermory” by Saki
“Desiree’s Baby” by Kate Chopin
Written Assignment – for each short story, the analysis chart should be completed. This can be done on
your own paper or you may print this chart out for each story (5 times). For each story element, give
your interpretations (what you see or understand from the story) and then quote textual evidence to
support your interpretations.
 Setting and background: where and when the story is taking place and what is the apparent
situation when the story begins
 Conflict: what is the issue that the protagonist (main character) struggles with through the
story giving the story its plot
 Rising Action: briefly describe the series of events in which the protagonist struggles against
his/her conflict
 Climax: identify the moment in which the protagonist seems to have lost the struggle
 Falling Action: the series of events in which the protagonist deals with losing the struggle
 Resolution: how the protagonist resolves the conflict ultimately winning the struggle or
conceding defeat and moving on past the loss
 Characterization of Protagonist: describe how the character is depicted at various points in
the story –
At the begging of the story
As the character begins the struggle with the conflict
At the point of the climax
At the resolution of the story
 Irony or Symbolism: identify an example of either symbolism or irony used in the story
 Big Idea:
explain what the big idea is of the story that leads to the thematic message the
author is making with the story
Analyzing a Short Story
Story Title: ___________________________________
Story Element
Setting and background
Conflict
Rising action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
Characterization of
Protagonist at beginning
Characterization of
Protagonist at his/her conflict
Characterization of Protagonist
after climax
Characterization of Protagonist at
resolution
Example of
Irony and/or Symbolism
Prominent Big Idea
Your analysis or interpretation
Text support