Literature Mid Term

English 9 – Mid Term

“Interlopers” by Saki

1.The setting of the story tells the reader the time, place and mood of the action. What is the setting of the short story, “Interlopers,” by Saki?  

2.  A writer often uses imagery to create an effective setting.  Imagery appeals to any sense or any combination of senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell).  Which senses does Saki appeal to in “Interlopers?”

3.  What effect does the setting of “Interlopers” have on the conflict within the story? Explain.

4.  What is the definition of a dynamic character? How are they different from static characters? Explain how the characters found in “Interlopers” are dynamic characters.

5.   How is the ending of “Interlopers” ironic?

“The Birds” by Daphne Du Maurier

1.   What is the setting of “The Birds?” When describing the setting, include a description of the time, place, and mood of the short story.

2.   Describe what occurs during the rising action of “The Birds.” Describe what occurs during the climax of “The Birds.” Is there a resolution to “The Birds?” Why or why not? Explain.

3.   Read the following quotes from “The Birds”:  “leaves had lingered” … “strange partnership, seeking some sort of liberation” … “wings brushing the surface, sliding, scraping, seeking a way of entry” … How are these all examples of alliteration? Explain.

4.   Explain how the following statement is ironic as it pertains to the ending of the story: “Nat had always enjoyed watching the birds.”

5.   Read the following two quotes from “The Birds”:

a.       “The blanket became a weapon of defense.”

b.      “Plane crash sounded like a distant bomb.”

Which of these quotes is an example of a metaphor? Which of these is an example of simile? Why? Explain.

“The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe

1.  In “The Cask of Amontillado,” Poe uses Fortunato’s name symbolically, as an ironic device. Fortunato’s name means “the fortunate one.” Explain how this is ironic at the end of the story.

2.  Montressor is the main character as well as the narrator of the story. This is an example of what type of point of view?

3.  Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that a character in a story doesn't. It typically creates a feeling of suspense. Explain how dramatic irony is used in “The Cask of Amontillado.”

4.  How do the various sets of bones throughout the passageway Montresor takes Fortunato through foreshadow Fortunato’s future? Explain.

5.  Montresor's family crest and motto reflect the fact that they will tolerate no insult and will punish anyone who insults the family. Explain how this is a symbol of Montresor's frame of mind and of his ultimate intention.

“The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry

1.  What is the setting of “The Gift of the Magi?” What time of year is it? How does this drive the plot of the story? Explain.

2.  What point of view is “The Gift of the Magi” told from? How could you tell? Explain.

3.  One of the major themes of “The Gift of the Magi” is sacrifice. What sacrifices do Jim and Della make in order to please the other?

4.  Situational irony occurs when there’s an unexpected outcome in a story. Describe how the ending of “The Gift of the Magi” is an example of situational irony.

5.  Della’s hair is described as "rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters." Is this an example of a metaphor or simile? Why? Explain.

“The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connel

1.  “The Most Dangerous Game” is a clever play on words. Describe the two different meanings that this title refers to.

2.  There are three major forms of conflict in literature. They are “Man vs. Man,” “Man vs. Nature,” and “Man vs. Himself.” Provide an example of each form of conflict found within “The Most Dangerous Game.”

3.  Read the following quotes from “The Most Dangerous Game”:

“Desperately he struck out with strong strokes” and “Not many men know how to use a Malay Mancatcher.”  Are these examples of alliteration? Why or why not? Explain.

4.  Read the following passage from “The Most Dangerous Game”:

“giant rocks with razor edges crouch like a sea monster with wide open jaws.”‖

Is this an example of simile or metaphor? Why? Explain.

5.  The phrase “the place [Ship-Trap Island] has a reputation—a bad one” hints at the fact that Rainsford’s life will later be in danger on Ship Trap Island. What is the name of the literary device used to give clues about future events in a story?

“Tears of a Tiger” by Sharon Draper

1.  Read the following metaphor: “We put it [beer] in the trunk of your car hours ago—Ain’t nothing like some cool bottled sunshine in the moonlight after a hot game!”

What is being compared? What does this reveal about the young men’s attitude toward drinking?

2.  Read the following simile: “Hey, jumpin’ with Keisha is like touchin’ the sky.”

What is being compared in this simile? What does this convey about Andy’s feelings for his girlfriend?

3. Two major themes in “Tears of a Tiger” are the dangers of drinking and driving and the importance of talking to people about your problems. How are these themes represented in “Tears of a Tiger.”

4. Read the following metaphor: “I’m a rose in the snow—the bright spot in your dark, seems-like-it’s-always-depressed life.” To what does Keisha compare herself? Why is this a good way to describe her relationship with Andy?

5.  How could what happened to Andy have been prevented? Cite examples from the text.

“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou

1. One of the major themes of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” is racism and segregation. Provide at least three examples from the text where Maya experiences racism at a young age.

2. “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” was written by Maya Angelou about her own life experiences. What genre would this type of writing fall under?

3.  What point of view is this story told from (first person, second person, or third person)? Why did you choose this answer? Explain.

4.  Read the following passage: “I mastered the art of crocheting and tatting, and there was a lifetime's supply of dainty doilies that would never be used in sacheted dresser drawers.” Is this an example of alliteration? Why or why not? Explain.

5.  Read the following passage, “I was called Old Lady and chided for moving and talking like winter's molasses.” What type of figure of speech is this? How do you know?

“Night” by Elie Wiesel

1. The title of the novel symbolizes death, the death of innocence, childhood, faith, and millions of people. Provide examples of death that are found in “Night.”

2.  On the train to Auschwitz, Madame Shachter's begins screaming insanely about a giant fire. How is this an example of foreshadowing? What will Elie discover later in the story?

3.  Read the following passage, "That night the soup tasted of corpses." Describe how this phrase qualifies as a metaphor. What is being compared?

4.  Read the following passage, “Monday passed like a small summer cloud, like a dream in the night.” Describe how this phrase qualifies as a simile. What is being compared?

5.  Read the following passage: "Never shall I forget those moments which murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to dust." How is this an example of personification? Explain.

“I Have a Dream” by Martin Luther King (Speech)

1.  Read the following passages: “Rise from the dark and desolate…the marvelous new militancy…trials and tribulations…” How are these examples of alliteration? Explain.

2.  Read the following passage: “We will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope.” How is this an example of a metaphor? What is being compared? Explain.

3.  Explain how Dr. King uses repetition within his speech. Why is repetition important? Explain.

4. How could Dr. King’s speech be labeled as persuasive? What idea does King’s repetition of the word “Now” help to emphasize? Explain.

5. Parallelism refers to using elements in sentences that are grammatically similar or identical in structure, sound, meaning, or meter. Explain how the following passage qualifies as parallelism: "With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day."