Activity/Assignment #1
Directions: Respond to one of the following questions in a detailed paragraph. Use two pieces of textual evidence in your work. Remember to start with a topic sentence. Bring this assignment to class.
1. How does Ralph Chang treat his workers and his family? What attitudes shape his behavior?
2. What are the mother’s desires in this story? How do her dreams conflict with her husband’s?
3. How do the wealthy—and white—people in this story behave? What attitudes are revealed through their comments and actions?
4. Compare Ralph and Jeremy. How are these men alike? How are they different? What important ideas are revealed when they are compared?
5. What might the following things symbolize: (1) Ralph’s chair, (2) Ralph’s new suit, (3) swimming pools, and (4) country clubs? Develop notes for each and explain how these symbols reveal any of the story’s themes.
6. What happens at the end of the story? Who changes? Who doesn’t change? What message is the reader left with?
Activity/Assignment #2
Directions: For this activity step into the shoes of a character and answer the following questions in their voice. Remember to refer to specific details in the story. Of course, you can use your homework to guide your responses.
1. Mr. and Mrs. Chang. How do Ralph and his wife’s personalities reveal the conflict in the story? Write a dialogue in which they explain their behavior at the party to their daughters five years after the story takes place.
In your dialogue address these questions:
2. Rich Man Poor Man. Examine the symbols of the chair, the suit, the pool, and the country club from the perspective of someone who is rich and then from the perspective of someone who is poor.
3. Ralph and Jeremy. How would each man assess the outcome of their conflict? Take the opportunity to reveal both their values and the biases.