Fiction Unit
Text page
Packet pg.
Fiction Terms to know …………………………………………………………………
2-4
The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry ……………………………………………………pg. 246
5-8
The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin …………………………………………….in packet
9 - 14
The Cask of Amontillado by Edgar Allan Poe ………………………………….pg. 61
15 - 19
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber …………………………pg. 124
20 - 23
The Most Dangerous Game by Richard Connell …………………………….pg. 215
28 - 31
The Interlopers by Saki……………………………………………………………………pg. 255
32 - 33
The Necklace by Guy de Maupassant …………………………………………….pg. 294
24 - 27
The Scarlet Ibis by James Hurst …………………………………………………….pg. 350
34 - 36
Three Skeleton Key by George Toudouze ………………………….………….pg. 1050
37 - 39
1
Fiction Terms
FictionTypes of Fiction


Plot:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
AntagonistProtagonistNarratorSetting2
Point of View –
First-personThird-person limitedOmniscientTheme –
In medias res -
Conflict-
A. Internal ConflictExample:
B. External ConflictExample:
C. Types of Conflict:
1.
2.
3.
4.
3
EpiphanyIronyVerbal irony-
Situational irony-
Dramatic irony-
ForeshadowingSymbolismSurprise EndingCharactersA. Round Character
B. Flat Character
C. Static Character
D. Dynamic Character
Characterization-
Flashback4
The Gift of the Magi
By O. Henry
FOCUS: Irony & Surprise Ending
Use context clues to define these words before reading the story.
1. Sam was always cheap and never paid for anything he didn’t have to, as a result of his
parsimony. Parsimony means _____________________________________________________
2. Robert would never live in a shabby little shack and always demands the best in life.
Shabby means __________________________________________________________________
3. Patricia owns and maintains her home and is truly the mistress of her own home.
Mistress means __________________________________________________________________
4. Laura liked only the very fine and beautiful – the most sterling -- things in life.
Sterling means __________________________________________________________________
5. Baby Ashley had many possessions, including toys, dolls, beautiful clothes, and a sun-filled room.
Possession means ________________________________________________________________
6. At Niagara Falls, the water comes cascading down the falls at the rate of thousands of gallons
each minute. Cascading means _____________________________________________________
7. Kirk went ransacking through his closet trying to find his favorite fraternity T-shirt that was lost.
Ransack means __________________________________________________________________
8. Ted attached a fob chain to his pocket watch so that it would hang out of his vest pocket for all
to see. Fob chain means __________________________________________________________
9. The town suffered the ravages of war with burned-down buildings and blown-apart streets.
Ravage means __________________________________________________________________
10. In past times, being a dancer in a line as a chorus girl was looked on as a lowly job only for loose
women. Chorus girl means ________________________________________________________
5
The Gift of the Magi
11. Alex is the first one to start fights; he instigates trouble if you do not watch him carefully.
Instigate means _________________________________________________________________
12. Patty has the most peculiar laugh and is the only person in the world who can laugh the way she
does. Peculiar means ____________________________________________________________
13. The men who came to visit baby Jesus and who brought precious gifts were considered to be
wise and were called the Magi. Magi means __________________________________________
14. George was ecstatic when his name was called as the winner of the lottery.
Ecstatic means __________________________________________________________________
15. Sue became hysterical and had to be calmed down when she learned her cat had suddenly died.
Hysterical means ________________________________________________________________
16. After Stu bought the car, he checked and found out it had depreciated, and was no longer worth
what he had paid for it. Depreciate means____________________________________________
17. Missy loves hot fudge sundaes and absolutely craves one when she hasn’t had one in a long time.
Crave means ____________________________________________________________________
18. Bernice had wonderfully thick hair, and she took very special care of her beautiful tresses.
Tress means ____________________________________________________________________
19. The newborn Jesus may be referred to as the Babe in the manger. Babe in the manger means
____________________________________________________________________________
20. Even though Ethan was discreet, his girlfriend still found out he lied to her.
Discreet means __________________________________________________________________
Now check your definitions in the dictionary. If you need to make any corrections make them.
6
The Gift of the Magi
By O. Henry
FOCUS: Irony & Surprise Ending
Answer these questions as you read.
1. What is Della’s conflict at the beginning of the story? What type of conflict is this?
2. What does the detail about the mailbox card reveal about Jim?
3. What is Della and Jim’s financial situation?
4. What is Jim and Della’s relationship like? How do you know?
5. What two possessions are the Dillinghams proud of?
6. What internal conflict does Della have before she goes out to buy Jim’s gift?
7. What idea does Della have to get money? What does this tell you about her?
8. How much money does Della receive for her hair? Do you think it was worth it?
9. What does Della buy Jim? For how much?
10. What is Della worried about as she waits for Jim to come home?
11. After Della sees Jim’s reaction, what does she believe he thinks?
12. What is Jim’s reaction to Della’s haircut?
13. What does Jim get Della as a gift?
7
14. How can Jim afford Della’s gift?
15. How do you think Jim and Della feel after they exchange gifts?
16. The narrator says that “all who give and receive gifts such as they are the wisest.” Explain what
this means?
17. Do you think it is wise to give up your most treasured possession for someone else? Why or
why not?
18. What is ironic in the story and why?
19. Does it end the way you expected?
20. Is the ending logical and believable? Why or why not?
21. Who are the main characters?
22. What is the setting?
23. Who is the author (Last Name, First Name)? What is the title of the story (put it in quotes)?
What is the name of the book it is in? What edition is the book? What pages in the book is it
on?
24. What types of conflict are in this story? List them all and identify each.
25. What is the theme?
8
The Story of an Hour
By Kate Chopin
Focus: Irony & Surprise Ending
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pre- reading vocabulary: Use context clues to define these words before reading.
1. Kara was afflicted with a need to shop at the mall every weekend. Afflicted means
_______________________________________________________________________________
2. The horrible earthquake caused major disasters, such as gas explosions and buildings collapsing,
that resulted in injuries and deaths. Disaster means ____________________________________
3. Before there were telephones, Sung Yu had to go to an office and send a telegram with news.
Telegram means _________________________________________________________________
4. Vernie tried to hasten Stephanie so that she could get to school on time. Hasten means _______
_______________________________________________________________________________
5. After the children lost their beloved dog, they suffered much grief and cried for days. Grief
means _________________________________________________________________________
6. The little leaves were all aquiver as the breeze blew through the tree. Aquiver means
_______________________________________________________________________________
7. Some people are never allowed to laugh they suffer severe repression when they see something
funny. Repression means _________________________________________________________
8. When Dottie did not understand the directions, her face became vacant with no expression.
Vacant means ___________________________________________________________________
9. The puppy had a keen sense of smell and could scent a hamburger a mile away. Keen means
_______________________________________________________________________________
9
The Story of an Hour
_______________________________________________________________________________
10. Blood pulses through our veins with a steady beat. Pulse means
_______________________________________________________________________________
11. The king held the most exalted position in the kingdom. Exalted means
_______________________________________________________________________________
12. In the Macy’s procession, colorful floats followed one after another after another. Procession
means _________________________________________________________________________
13. The host opened the door and warmly welcomed each guest as he or she arrived. Welcome
means _________________________________________________________________________
14. Without thinking about it, Daren followed his impulse and suddenly bet all his chips on red.
Impulse means __________________________________________________________________
15. Nancy was imploring the builder to start her deck as soon as possible before the rains came.
Implore means __________________________________________________________________
16. When Todd thinks he is right, he answers with enough confidence and self-assertion to convince
others he is right. Self-assertion means _______________________________________________
17. A substance that can change all into gold, that can make one live forever, or that allows one to
taste the very best of life is called an elixir. Elixir means _________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
18. Robbie shuddered at the thought of having to take another algebra test. Shuddered means
______________________________________________________________________________
19. The Cougars yelled, screamed, and jumped in triumph when they won the game. Triumph means
_______________________________________________________________________________
20. Margaret was absolutely amazed when she won the ten-million dollar lottery. Amazed means
_______________________________________________________________________________
10
As you read the following selection highlight or underline at least 5 phrases you think are especially
important to the story. On the last page be ready to briefly explain why you chose those phrases.
"The Story of An Hour"
Kate Chopin (1894)
Knowing that Mrs. Mallard was afflicted with a heart trouble, great care was taken to break to her as
gently as possible the news of her husband's death.
It was her sister Josephine who told her, in broken sentences; veiled hints that revealed in half
concealing. Her husband's friend Richards was there, too, near her. It was he who had been in the
newspaper office when intelligence of the railroad disaster was received, with Brently Mallard's name
leading the list of "killed." He had only taken the time to assure himself of its truth by a second telegram,
and had hastened to forestall any less careful, less tender friend in bearing the sad message.
She did not hear the story as many women have heard the same, with a paralyzed inability to accept its
significance. She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms. When the storm of
grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her.
There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down
by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul.
She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new
spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares.
The notes of a distant song which someone was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows
were twittering in the eaves.
There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds that had met and piled one
above the other in the west facing her window.
She sat with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair, quite motionless, except when a sob
came up into her throat and shook her, as a child who has cried itself to sleep continues to sob in its
dreams.
She was young, with a fair, calm face, whose lines bespoke repression and even a certain strength. But
now there was a dull stare in her eyes, whose gaze was fixed away off yonder on one of those patches of
blue sky. It was not a glance of reflection, but rather indicated a suspension of intelligent thought.
There was something coming to her and she was waiting for it, fearfully. What was it? She did not know;
it was too subtle and elusive to name. But she felt it, creeping out of the sky, reaching toward her
through the sounds, the scents, and the color that filled the air.
11
The Story of an Hour
_______________________________________________________________________________
Now her bosom rose and fell tumultuously. She was beginning to recognize this thing that was
approaching to possess her, and she was striving to beat it back with her will--as powerless as her two
white slender hands would have been. When she abandoned herself a little whispered word escaped
her slightly parted lips. She said it over and over under her breath: "free, free, free!" The vacant stare
and the look of terror that had followed it went from her eyes. They stayed keen and bright. Her pulses
beat fast, and the coursing blood warmed and relaxed every inch of her body.
She did not stop to ask if it were or were not a monstrous joy that held her. A clear and exalted
perception enabled her to dismiss the suggestion as trivial. She knew that she would weep again when
she saw the kind, tender hands folded in death; the face that had never looked save with love upon her,
fixed and gray and dead. But she saw beyond that bitter moment a long procession of years to come
that would belong to her absolutely. And she opened and spread her arms out to them in welcome.
There would be no one to live for during those coming years; she would live for herself. There would be
no powerful will bending hers in that blind persistence with which men and women believe they have a
right to impose a private will upon a fellow-creature. A kind intention or a cruel intention made the act
seem no less a crime as she looked upon it in that brief moment of illumination.
And yet she had loved him--sometimes. Often she had not. What did it matter! What could love the
unsolved mystery, count for in the face of this possession of self-assertion which she suddenly
recognized as the strongest impulse of her being!
"Free! Body and soul free!" she kept whispering.
Josephine was kneeling before the closed door with her lips to the keyhold, imploring for admission.
"Louise, open the door! I beg; open the door--you will make yourself ill. What are you doing, Louise? For
heaven's sake open the door."
"Go away. I am not making myself ill." No; she was drinking in a very elixir of life through that open
window.
Her fancy was running riot along those days ahead of her. Spring days, and summer days, and all sorts of
days that would be her own. She breathed a quick prayer that life might be long. It was only yesterday
she had thought with a shudder that life might be long.
She arose at length and opened the door to her sister's importunities. There was a feverish triumph in
her eyes, and she carried herself unwittingly like a goddess of Victory. She clasped her sister's waist, and
together they descended the stairs. Richards stood waiting for them at the bottom.
Stop! Make a prediction about the ending to the story. Write it here.
12
The Story of an Hour
_______________________________________________________________________________
Someone was opening the front door with a latchkey. It was Brently Mallard who entered, a little travelstained, composedly carrying his grip-sack and umbrella. He had been far from the scene of the accident,
and did not even know there had been one. He stood amazed at Josephine's piercing cry; at Richards'
quick motion to screen him from the view of his wife.
When the doctors came they said she had died of heart disease--of the joy that kills.
~ The End
Briefly explain why you selected each of the phrases you underlined or highlighted.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7. What questions about character or motivation or plot does this story leave in your mind?
8. What happens to Mr. Mallard?
9. How does Mrs. Mallard feel?
10. Give one example of foreshadowing in the story.
11. Who is the main character/protagonist in the story?
13
The Story of an Hour
_______________________________________________________________________________
12. What is the conflict in the story?
13. Who/what is the antagonist in this story?
14. What is the significance/symbolism of the open window in the story?
15. Describe the setting of the story.
16. Could this setting be changed, and if so to where and when, if not explain why?
17. What happens to Mrs. Mallard?
18. What is ironic in the story?
19. Is the ending a surprise? Why?
20. What is the theme of the story?
21. Who is the author of the story?
14
The Cask of Amontillado
By Edgar Allen Poe
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pre- reading vocabulary: Use context clues to define these words before reading.
1. Because they lost the World Series, the Yankees will seek retribution against the Red Sox.
Retribution means ______________________________________
2. When the Yankees beat the Red Sox 21 – 0, they finally felt avenged. Avenged means
_______________________________________________________________________________
3. The ability to identify fine things, such as art or wine, shows Matt’s connoisseurship.
Connoisseurship means ___________________________________________________________
4. Either potassium or sodium combined with nitrate makes a nasty smelling substance called nitre.
Nitre means ___________________________________________________________________
5. Giorgio lives in a magnificent palazzo with forty rooms surrounded by colorful gardens. Palazzo
means _________________________________________________________________________
6. Edith lighted the citronella flambeaux that were set on stands around the pool. Flambeaux
means _________________________________________________________________________
7. Ancient Christians buried their dead in the catacombs’ cave like tunnels under Rome. Catacomb
means _________________________________________________________________________
8. Ricki stopped at the wine store to buy a fine bottle of Medoc for dinner. Medoc means
______________________________________________________________________________
9. The masons built the wall, brick by brick. Mason means _________________________________
10. To build the brick wall, the masons spread cement between the bricks with a trowel. Trowel
means _________________________________________________________________________
15
The Cask of Amontillado
_____________________________________________________________________________________
11. The masons working on the brick wall used mortar to seal the bricks together. Mortar means
_______________________________________________________________________________
12. Brendan wore a large velvet cloak over his tuxedo for the opening night. Cloak means
_______________________________________________________________________________
13. The prince was buried in a crypt under the rose garden behind the castle. Crypt means
_______________________________________________________________________________
14. Lisa hid her secret diary in a little niche under the window seat in her room. Niche means
_______________________________________________________________________________
15. Roberta was able to put the thread through the small aperture in the needle. Aperture means
_______________________________________________________________________________
Check your definitions with the dictionary and make any corrections you need to, before reading the
story.
Select five words you think are difficult and write a way that you will remember the meaning of the
word below.
16
The Cask of Amontillado
By Edgar Allen Poe
Focus: Foreshadowing
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1. Using the MLA Works Cited model record this reading below.
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Story.” Title of the Book. Ed. First Last Name. City:
Publisher, year. Pages of the story.
Example: Crowley, Sharon and Debra Hawhee. Ancient Rhetorics for
Contemporary Students. 3rd ed. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2004.
2. Describe the protagonist.
3. Describe the antagonist.
4. Describe the setting. Decide if the setting could be changed, and if so to where and when, or if
not why? What does the setting add to the story?
5. Why does Montresor want to get revenge on Fortunato?
6. What does Montresor say is Fortunato’s weakness?
7. How is Fortunato dressed? Why is that fact important?
8. How does Montresor get Fortunato to leave the party?
17
The Cask of Amontillado
_____________________________________________________________________________________
9. What does Montresor observe is wrong with Fortunato?
10. Describe how Montresor uses reverse psychology and flattery to ensure that Fortunato does
what he wants him to do.
11. What is the physical state of Fortunato as they go into the vault?
12. In what way does Fortunato insult Montresor again on page 65?
13. Describe the location to which Montresor takes Fortunato, and what that adds to the story.
14. What does Montresor do to Fortunato?
15. Copy the phrases that indicate foreshadowing below. List the page and paragraph number where
you found it. (there are 5 – remember to put the phrase in quotation marks)
18
16. What is the conflict of the story?
17. What ultimately kills Fortunato? Who can be blamed for his death?
18. Review of the plot:
Select one event that occurred in the exposition of the story.
19. Select 2 events that were important to the rising action.
A.
B.
20. What event was the climax of the story?
21. List one event that occurred during the falling action.
22. How was the conflict resolved? The resolution.
23. Now summarize the story in one paragraph of approximately 5 – 6 sentences. Use good
transition words.
19
Focus: Characters
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Round, Flat, Static,
By James Thurber
& Dynamic
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pre- reading vocabulary: Use context clues to define these words before reading.
1. The photographer took a picture of the movie star with the star’s coat flowing rakishly behind
him. Rakishly means ______________________________________________________________
2. The car suddenly lurched ahead, due to the fact that Ajay was not sure how to use the standard
shift. Lurch means ________________________________________________________________
3. One is often intimate with one’s best friends. Intimate means ____________________________
4. The boy was so distraught over his poor grade that he lost his appetite for days. Distraught
means _________________________________________________________________________
5. When Susan had to have dental surgery, the dentist made her unconscious or anaesthetized her.
Anaesthetized means_____________________________________________________________
6. To get the law they wanted, the people used their rights of initiative and referendum to initiate
the law. Initiative and referendum means ____________________________________________
7. When her sister received a new car, Aruna insinuated that her sister was more favored than she
is. Insinuated means ______________________________________________________________
8. Pandemonium and bedlam broke out when someone yelled, “Fire!” Pandemonium and/or
bedlam mean____________________________________________________________________
9. The winning players cannonaded their coaches with an endless supply of sparkling water.
Cannonaded means ______________________________________________________________
10. The inscrutable note was so poorly written that it was impossible to understand. Inscrutable
means _________________________________________________________________________
Check your definitions with the dictionary and make any corrections you need to, before reading the story.
20
Focus: Characters
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
Round, Flat, Static,
By James Thurber
& Dynamic
_____________________________________________________________________________________
1. Using the MLA Works Cited model record this reading below.
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Story.” Title of the Book. Ed. First Last Name. City:
Publisher, year. Pages of the story.
Example: Crowley, Sharon and Debra Hawhee. Ancient Rhetorics for
Contemporary Students. 3rd ed. New York: Pearson/Longman, 2004.
2. Describe Walter’s relationship with his wife.
3. Why do you think Walter daydreams?
4. What kinds of tasks are Walter and his wife carrying out in the real world? List them
5. What kinds of things is Walter doing in his daydreams?
6. Do you think Walter’s daydreams help or hurt him? Why?
21
7. Fill in the chart with all the characters that Walter assumes in his dreams, and then list the traits
that each character exhibits.
Imaginary Character
Traits that character exhibits
8. What do all these characters have in common?
9. What void in Mitty’s life do they fill?
10. Explain the importance of each of the following quotes; record the page number you found it on
in the parenthesis. Write one adjective/character trait that goes with the quote, behind the
parenthesis.
“Not so fast! You’re driving too fast! said Mrs. Mitty” [ ].
(explain the quote here)
11. “…he drove past the hospital on his way to the parking lot” [
].
12. “A newsboy went by shouting something about the Waterbury trial” [
13. “He picked up an old copy of Liberty and sank down into the chair” [
].
].
14. “Then with a faint, fleeting smile playing about his lips, he faced the firing squad; erect and
motionless, proud and disdainful, Walter Mitty the Undefeated inscrutable to the last” [ ].
22
15. Which aspects of Mitty’s personality trigger Mitty’s final daydream? In what way does this
daydream reflect what might happen to him in real life?
16. Who is the antagonist?
17. Who is the protagonist?
18. Is Walter Mitty a round or flat character? Why?
19. Is Mrs. Mitty a round or flat character? Why?
20. Is Walter a static or dynamic character? Why?
21. Is Mrs. Mitty a static or dynamic character? Why?
22. Describe the setting.
23. Describe the conflict.
24. What is a possible theme for this story? Why?
25. Is there a resolution to this story?
23
The Necklace
By Guy de Maupassant
Focus: Characterization
_______________________________________________________________________________
Pre- reading vocabulary: Use context clues to define these words before reading.
1. Justin always wore the latest designer clothes and had his hair styled, he was very chic. Chic
means _____________________________________________________________________
2. Susan Boyle became a public sensation known for her beautiful singing voice, and her old
fashioned dowdy appearance. Dowdy means ______________________________________
3. Pablo arrived late at school looking like he had just rolled out of bed, with his disheveled
appearance. Disheveled means __________________________________________________
4. The Honors Geometry class was profoundly silent as they mentally prepared for the final
exam. Profoundly means _______________________________________________________
5. Mary had a rueful expression on her face when her parents informed her of the death of her
beloved dog. Rueful means _____________________________________________________
6. The graduation class was resplendent in their gleaming white caps and gowns. Resplendent
means ______________________________________________________________________
Check your definitions in the dictionary and make any corrections you need to. Then write a
way that you will remember any difficult new words.
24
The Necklace
By Guy de Maupassant
Focus: Characterization
_______________________________________________________________________________
1. Using the MLA Works Cited model record this reading below.
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Story.” Title of the Book. Ed. First Last Name. City:
Publisher, year. Pages of the story.
2. What does the author tell us about Mme. Loisel’s lifestyle at the beginning of the story?
3. What does he mean when he says, “it was as if by an error of Fate she was born into a petty
officer’s family”? [pg. 294]
4. What things torment Mme. Loisel at the beginning of the story?
5. What are Mme. Loisel’s deepest desires?
6. What do Monsieur Loisel’s comments in the fourth paragraph tell you about him?
7. What does Monsieur Loisel do to try and please his wife? What is her reaction? What does that
tell you about her?
8. How does Loisel solve the problem? What does that tell you about him and his feelings for his
wife?
9. Despite getting a new dress, why isn’t Mahtilde happy? How is the problem solved?
25
10. What do Mme. Loisel’s comments about fresh flowers reveal about her attitude and values?
11. How Loisel different from his wife?
12. How does Mme. Loisel behave at the party?
13. Why don’t the Loisel’s get a cab right after the party? What problem does this cause later?
14. What do the Loisel’s actions immediately after the necklace is lost reveal about both characters?
15. What does Loisel do in order to buy a new necklace? How much does it cost?
16. How does Mme. Loisel’s lifestyle change?
17. In your opinion does Monsieur Loisel change throughout the story?
18. How is his story ironic?
19. How might the Loisel’s have handled things differently?
20. Suppose that Mme. Loisel had not lost the necklace. Based on her actions and those of her
husband, what do you predict the couple’s future would have been like?
21. Describe the setting of the story.
22. Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist?
23. What types of conflicts are in this story?
24. What is the theme of the story?
26
25. Is Mme. Loisel a flat or round character? Is she static or dynamic?
26. Is Monsieur Loisel a flat or round character? Is he static or dynamic?
27. Fill in the character chart about Mme. Loisel.
27
The Most Dangerous Game
By Richard Connell
Focus: Setting
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Pre- reading vocabulary: Use context clues to define these words before reading.
1. The tension in the courtroom was easily palpable, as the accused murderer stood before the
judge and the jury awaiting the verdict. Palpable means _________________________________
2. At times, there are a few ninth graders whom seem indolently inclined to do anything; they do
little homework, studying or even following rules. Indolently means _______________________
3. Teachers will often make repeated futile attempts to persuade those students to do their work
and pass the class. Futile means ____________________________________________________
4. Most students have the scruples to follow the rules and do their work, even if they do not really
want to. Scruples means __________________________________________________________
Check your definitions with the dictionary and make any corrections you need to, before reading the story.
Answer the following as you read.
1. Using the MLA Works Cited model record this reading below.
Author’s Last Name, First Name. “Title of the Story.” Title of the Book. Ed. First Last Name. City:
Publisher, year. Pages of the story.
2. At the beginning of the story, Rainsford is on a yacht in the middle of the Caribbean. How is the
night described? (write this in quotes) What is located near their yacht? How do these two
elements set the tone for what might happen in the story?
28
3. The author is very specific in his description of the sounds that Rainsford hears while he is
swimming toward the island. Describe these sounds, and discuss what effect they have on the
story.
4. List the specific adjectives that the author uses to describe the shoreline and the jungle when
Rainsford gets ashore. How do these adjectives add to the story?
5. What does the house that Rainsford discovers look like? Where is it located on the island? What
specific descriptive words are used to help maintain the mood of the story?
6. What clues tell Rainsford that the two men he meets have military background?
7. What decorates the walls of the house? Is this detail important to the story? Why?
8. Why does Zaroff say he became bored with hunting? Use his words in quotes.
9. What epiphany does Raisford have about Zaroff during dinner?
10. How does Zaroff lure ships to the island when the weather does not help him?
11. What kinds of things does Zaroff believe make someone civilized?
29
12. What kinds of heads do you think Zaroff wants to show Rainsford?
13. Why does Zaroff train the men he captures?
14. What is located in the courtyard in front of the house? How does this discovery affect Rainsford’s
actions?
15. When Rainsford finally goes to his room to sleep, he discovers that it is located where? Why is
this important? What sounds does he hear while he sleeps?
16. Discuss what problems the landscape of the island causes most of General Zaroff’s captives. In
what way does the landscape actually help Rainsford play the game? How does he use the jungle
to his advantage? What does he do differently than Zaroff’s previous captives?
17. What rules does Zaroff give Rainsford before the hunt?
18. Why do you think he does not kill Rainsford even though he knows he is in the tree?
19. Describe the three traps Rainsford sets and explain how effective they are.
20. Zaroff says that Rainsford did not play the game because he broke the rules by leaving the island.
Do you agree or disagree? Why?
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21. Why do you think Rainsford came back when he had his freedom?
22. What happens when the two fight? How do you know?
23. In what way do you think the landscape and the setting of the island affected General Zaroff and
his actions? How has the setting helped Zaroff continue his twisted game?
24. In your opinion, how integral is the setting in The Most Dangerous Game? Explain. Would this
story work anywhere else? Why or why not?
25. Who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist?
26. What is the main conflict in the story? Is it internal or external? What type is it?
27. Is there a resolution to the story or not?
28. Write one quote from the story that stood out for you , and then explain why.
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The Interlopers
By Saki
Focus: Theme
Pre- reading vocabulary: Use context clues to define these words before reading.
1. Due to the sheer angle of the mountain, the climber was unable to scale the precipitous cliff
side. Precipitous means ___________________________________________________________
2. When the mourners showed up at the funeral they all offered their condolences to the grieving
family members. Condolences means ________________________________________________
3. After Steven had the flu for five days languor overcame him and he just lay on the couch.
Languor means ______________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions as you read the story.
1. Using the MLA Works Cited model record this reading below.
2. Why is Ulrich in the woods?
3. Who is his enemy and why are they enemies?
4. Who won the dispute over the land?
5. Why does Ulrich hate Georg? Why has the feud lasted so long?
6. What is Ulrich’s greatest wish?
7. What kind of conflict is it? Type?
8. What happens while the two men stand facing each other?
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9. What kind of conflict arises at this point in the story? Type?
10. What are Ulrich and Georg counting on?
11. Why does Ulrich offer wine to Georg? What is Georg’s response?
12. Why does Ulrich feel his hatred for Georg dying down?
13. What decision do Ulrich and Georg come to? Why?
14. Now why do they each hope their men come first?
15. What do the men do to try and get help?
16. What happens to the men?
17. What is ironic about this story? (Think about the setting, the feud, the plan Ulrich had, etc.)
18. What is the theme of this story?
19. Discuss the meaning of the title? Who are the interlopers? Explain.
20. What point of view is this story told in?
21. Who is the protagonist? Why? Who is the antagonist?
22. Is Ulrich static or dynamic? Why? Round or flat? Why?
23. Was there foreshadowing or was this a surprise ending?
24. We talked about characterization. List three different thoughts, actions, or speech that lets us
know something about Ulrich.
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The Scarlet Ibis
By James Hurst
Focus: Symbolism
Pre- reading vocabulary: Use context clues to define these words before reading.
1. When he pushed the expensive antique glass platter, it stopped precariously close to the end of
the table; teetering on the edge high above the stone floor. Precariously means ______________
2. Dark clouds were gathering, thunder could be heard, and lightening was visible, when the umpire
called the little league game saying a storm was imminent. Imminent means ________________
3. The team had not lost a game all season; going into the playoffs they had a sense of infallibility.
Infallibility means ________________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions as you read the story.
1. Using the MLA Works Cited model record this reading below.
2. What do the images of nature in the first paragraph symbolize?
3. Describe the initial reaction of the family to Doodle’s birth.
4. What does the caul symbolize?
5. Describe Doodle’s physical condition.
6. At what point does the family actually consider Doodle a part of their family?
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7. Why does the narrator feel that changing his brother’s name from William Armstrong to Doodleis
a kind thing to do?
8. Why does the narrator sometimes feel that Doodle is a burden?
9. What cruel things does the narrator do to his brother?
10. What kind things does the narrator do for his brother?
11. Why does the narrator want to teach Doodle to walk? How long does it take?
12. Why does the narrator cry after Doodle walks?
13. After Doodle walks what does the narrator plan for him? Why?
14. What might the weather during the summer of 1918 symbolize?
15. Describe the bird that lands in the tree in the front yard. Where is it from? What happens to it?
16. What might the bleeding tree symbolize?
17. How does Doodle react to the bird? How does his reaction differ from the rest of the family?
Why do you think this is?
18. What might the ibis symbolize to Doodle? Why?
19. What happens to the narrator’s plan for Doodle?
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20. How does Doodle act after the Ibis dies?
21. What might the “black clouds” symbolize?
22. Why does the narrator run away from Doodle at the end?
23. What happens to Doodle?
24. What are the similarities between Doodle and the ibis’ appearances?
25. What might the ibis symbolize?
26. Do you think the narrator is to blame for Doodle’s death? Why or why not?
27. After Doodle’s death, how do you think the narrator felt about his expectations for Doodle?
28. How do you think Doodle felt about himself and his brother?
29. Is the narrator static or dynamic? Round or flat?
30. Find four examples of foreshadowing in this story.
31. What is the theme of this story?
32. Who is the protagonist? Who is the antagonist?
33. One example of an internal conflict in the story is:
34. One example of an external conflict in the story is:
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Three Skeleton Key
By George Toudouze
Focus: Conflict
Pre- reading vocabulary: Use context clues to define these words before reading.
1. The newborn calf lurched forward as he tried to stand. Lurch means _______________________
2. In the ninth inning as the home team began to lose the game, the diminution of the crowd’s
enthusiasm was noticeable. Diminution means ________________________________________
3. The derisive crowd continued to heckle the comedian throughout his entire performance.
Derisive means _________________________________________________________________
Answer the following questions as you read the story.
1. Using the MLA Works Cited model record this reading below.
2. What is the setting of this story?
3. How did “Three Skeleton Key” get its name?
4. What is dangerous about the waters around the lighthouse?
5. How long were the three men assigned to tend the lighthouse?
6. Why did the sailors abandon the ship in such good condition?
7. Why were the three men surprised to see the ship?
8. How are maritime rats different from land rats?
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9. What happened to the crew of the ship?
10. What happens when the ship crashes on the rocks?
11. Why do the rats try to get in the lighthouse?
12. Who is the protagonist? What is the protagonist’s goal?
13. Who is the antagonist? What is the antagonist’s goal?
14. Is the conflict internal or external? What type is it? Explain the conflict.
15. What begins to happen to the windows? How do the men fix it?
16. In what way are the sharks and the rats alike?
17. As time goes on what new conflict arises for the men? Explain it.
18. What do the men do to get help?
19. What happens to the men once the rats get in? How is the narrator different from Le Gleo?
20. How does human intelligence overtake the rats?
21. What happens to the men once they are rescued?
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22. What feelings does this story raise in the reader? Why?
23. From what point of view is this story told?
24. What universal struggle is represented by the main conflict in this story?
25. We discussed the plot line for most fiction stories. In this story identify the following:
A. Exposition –
B. Rising Action –
C. Climax –
D. Falling Action/denouement –
E. Resolution -
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