Liberty
What is the family’s situation? Who are their
enemies? Who are their friends?
By: Julia Alvarez
Describe the
narrator’s
character.
What does “liberty”
mean?
How does the story’s theme
relate to liberty?
Tia Mimi says that the narrator will find
liberty when she gets to the USA. How
does her statement contribute to the
story’s theme?
What are the external and internal conflicts in this story?
What traits does
she share with
Liberty?
True or False:
Before she leaves, the
narrator frees the dog from
his pen and drives away.
What
truth do you think
Alvarez wants to
reveal?
How would the story feel
different if it wasn’t told
from a child’s perspective?
What does Papi
sacrifice for liberty?
Describe the situational
irony in this story.
What lesson about life
and love do you think
Della and Jim learned?
The Gift
of the Magi
By: O Henry
What are some symbols? What do
they represent?
In your opinion, is
irony a fun surprise or
is it a trick played on
the reader?
What
do you think this
story has to say about
consumer society today?
Describe the diction used in the
story.
What types of conflicts are in the story?
How does the concept of a Magi come full circle in the
story?
List the order of events:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What is the real “gift”
referred to in the title?
List three themes from the
story:
Poison
1.
by: Roald Dahl
2.
Beside the venom of the
krait, what other poison can
the story be about?
Do you think there was really
a krait under the sheet? What
evidence can you find to
support your thought?
3.
Who in the story is “cold-blooded”? Why?
How does the theme of hard
choices relate to the story?
Give specific examples.
Describe how each of the characters reacts to
danger:
How does the author build suspense
throughout the story?
What is the
outcome of the
doctor’s plan?
Describe
the external conflict in
the story:
Why was Mathilde
unhappy with her life
at the beginning?
What point of view is
the story written?
Why do Mathilde and Mme. Forestier hide the
truth? What are the consequences of their lie?
The Necklace
by: Guy de Maupassant
Do you think M.
Loisel was content
with his life before the
ball took place?
How would you
characterize Mathilde’s
husband?
How
would the
story change if it had
been told him Mathilde’s
perspective?
Do you think Mme. Forestier should return the
difference in value between the original necklace
and the one she received as a replacement?
Explain what makes the closing
sentences ironic.
In what ways is the writer criticizing all of society
through his portrayal of Mathilde?