Reading and Appreciation of Short Stories and Poems Term 6, 2011 Student’s guide

Weeks	Class 1	Class 2
1	Introduction (course description, course book, course policies, basic notions), analysis of the essays.	Plot Introduction to the topic, discussion of A Retrieved Reformation.
2	Plot Exercises related to the topic, discussion of Eveline.	Plot Discussion of The Story-teller, exercises related to the topic.
3	Setting Introduction to the topic, discussion of The Smile.	Discussion of I Spy.
4	Setting Discussion of Love and Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, exercises related to the topic.	Suspense Introduction to the topic, reading in class and discussion of The Story of an Hour.
5	Suspense Discussion of Lamb to the Slaughter.	Suspense Discussion of The Case for the Defence, exercises related to the topic.
6	Description Introduction to the topic, discussion of All Summer in a Day.	Description Exercises related to description, discussion of Symphony in Yellow.
7	Point of View Introduction to the topic, exercises related to the topic, discussion of Verbal Transcription – 6 a.m.	Point of View Discussion of Politics.
8	Point of View Discussion of Next Term, We’ll Mash You and Making My Father Read Revered Writings.	Characters Introduction to the topic, exercises related to the topic, discussion of The Happy Man.
9	Characters Exercises related to the topic, discussion of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.	Characters Discussion of They Gave Her a Rise and Cheap at Half the Price.
10	Characters Discussion of The Star Ducks and You Should Have Seen the Mess.	Tone Introduction to the topic, discussion of Shell Songs.
11	Tone Exercises related to the topic. Discussion of Little Red Riding Hood.	Tone Discussion of Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night and The Returned Soldier.
12	Tone Discussion of The Complaint Department and The Rabbits Who Caused all the Trouble.	Title Introduction to the topic, discussion of The Invisible Japanese Gentlemen.
13	Title Discussion of Growing up and Gravity	Title Discussion of The Garden Party and The Castaways.
14	Title Discussion of Human Is and Chaser.	Symbols Introduction to the topic, discussion of The Debutante and Dazzler.
15	Symbols Exercises related to the topic, discussion of The Orphaned Swimming Pool and Sun of the Sleepless.	Analysis of the literature question essays, credits

Unit 1 Plot

Plot is a sequence of fictional events arranged in a meaningful pattern.

The general structure of plot is as follows:

Exposition: gives information about settings and characters;

Conflict: struggle between characters or forces (ideas, actions, desires, wills, goals, etc.) that brings about action.

• Internal conflict: occurs within an individual.

• External conflict: when an individual struggles against an outside force (an animal, a force of nature, another character, etc.).

Complications (development): new conflicts or setbacks for the main character;

Climax: decisive turning point in a narrative; the “high point,” or moment of greatest intensity.

• Rising action leads up to the climax.

• Falling action occurs after the climax (between the climax and resolution).

Denouement (conclusion): the resolution; the aftermath or outcome of the plot; how things are settled in the end.

Plot may be simple (when the story is narrated in a linear, chronological fashion) or complex.

Authors complicate the structure of their plots with:

• the use of flashbacks (scenes that interrupt the action to show events that happened earlier);

• a frame that encloses the story (a story within the story);

• foreshadowing (technique in which an author plants clues about what will happen next);

• gaps (missing parts);

• digressions (passages in which an author turns or wanders from the main topic).

In a story the ending may take the form of:

• resolution;

• revelation;

• decision;

• explanation.

Tips

In the stories included in this unit,

1. notice the structuring of plot:

• the handling of beginning, middle, and ending;

• its use of action, development, climax, and conclusion;

• its use of gaps, flashbacks, foreshadowing.

2. Look for conflicts – physical, social, internal – and use them as a way to get into the story and explore its complexity.

Unit 2 Setting

Setting is the location (where) and time (when) of a story. It serves different functions and can be a significant element of the story because it can prompt characters to interact and allow plots to develop.

Setting includes:

Location: a house, a street, a city, a landscape, a region, etc.

Time: hour, year, century, etc.

Ex: The setting of Macbeth is medieval Scotland.

Historical, social, cultural context.

Primary functions of the setting:

• establish time and place;

• make certain events seem probable;

• reveal character;

• serve as a symbol;

• create atmosphere;

• reinforce meaning.

Note: Many works have multiple settings. These different settings may have different functions within a single work.

How to identify setting:

When reading a work, you must determine if the setting is significant. To do so, take notice when:

1. A “minor” or “insignificant” aspect of setting is given undue attention by the author.

2. Certain settings are emphasized repeatedly by the author.

3. An author has described the setting with exquisite detail or metaphorical connotations:

• Exquisite detail indicates that setting is more than a mere “backdrop” for action.

• Metaphorical connotations often create analogies (comparisons) between qualities in the setting and qualities found in the characters.

Tips

1. Be attentive to the setting in the literary works you are going to read:

   • setting in terms of place, in its broad sense and in its sense of narrower, individual places;

   • setting in time;

   • setting as historical, social, and cultural context.

2. Be aware of different effects setting can have in a work – revealing character, conveying atmosphere, reinforcing meaning, serving as a symbol or occasionally almost as a character.