"Identities"

Base XP: 60

This quest gives you practice reading and interpreting a short story.

The goal is to answer the questions to the best of your ability based on what you already know and have learned in other quests, grade your own answers, and use what you learn about your previous knowledge and experience to help you choose how much more time you will need to spend practicing.

The Task:

Read "Identities" by W.D. Valgardson.
Answer the following questions in a digital document that you can submit at the end of the quest. They do not need to be in full sentences.

Who is the protagonist? [Give a reason for your choice]
Is there an antagonist/foil?
How do we learn what the protagonist is like? Direct/indirect presentation? [Give examples]
Give an example of foreshadowing in the story.
What is the climax? Is there a resolution?
Write about conflict - external? internal? Explain what causes it.
What is the point of view of the story?
In paragraph 2 ["He does not hurry..."], which words create mood? What note of tension is introduced in this paragraph?
How is suspense created in this story?
What is the setting of the story?
Are there any stereotypes in the story?
Is there any irony in the story? Dramatic? Verbal? Situational?
Are there any symbols in the story? Explain their significance.
What is the theme of this story? [Remember, a theme is NOT one word - 'love, forgiveness, justice...'; it is what the story tells us about life, for example - 'Forgiveness is something that can only be given, if it is first received.'
What is the significance/meaning of the last sentence?
Why is the story written in the present tense? Is this a good choice?

Check your responses using the Interpreting Short Stories Answer Key. Make notes of what you did well and what needs improvement.
Finally, write a detailed reflection explaining to me what you know about interpreting short stories, what you need to work further on, and how you will improve your understanding moving forward (for example, maybe spend some time on other short story quests?).

Submit you answers, your corrections, and your reflection to this dropbox.

If you require additional XP, please explain why.

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