To build a fire

To build a fire by Jack London

Respond to these questions

Why is the old man in Fairbanks important to the story? The young man got the idea to save himself by killing the dog to warm his hands so that he might light a new fire.  Would you have thought of the same idea under these circumstances?   What happened in this story that is typical of young men?

A Pair of Silk Stockings

Respond in writing to the following prompts.

Describe Mrs Sommers past.  (reference Line 5, à life was easier years ago.) Say why it is now different.  What was the significance of her spending the money on her self?  How did you feel about reading this story? What has the story shown you?

The Burglary by Arnold Bennett

Exaggeration and distortion are very valuable tools in art and language. Painters (and writers) often use caricature to distort a character but caricature also makes logical sense.  Look at the last sentence of the story.  It mentions 'silver spoon'.  An old English expression involves "having a silver spoon in one's mouth." 

Was the last one of the story comedy? What social point does it make?  What aspect of the crime was significant in this story?  Was their one or two crimes? What did the author want to say about Sir Jee’s character? What astonished you?  Is there anything you learned from reading this story?

The tell-tale heart

Summary:  The narrator tells us he is nervous but not mad and has killed an old man, not from passion but because of fear of the man’s blue eye. He says that he loves him. The police arrive on the scene. At first he has a cool manner but eventually the sound of tell-tale heart drives him to confess the crime.

Writing

Discuss any overturned assumptions you have.

What astonished you? 

What is significant?

Bonus Q: Why is it that the police did nothing (except sit and wait) but the man confessed?

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

Respond in paragraph form to the following .

What kind of story is The Legend of Sleepy Hollow? What astonished you about it? Was the story significant?  Explain why or why not. Stories can make you think about things differently?  Give an example from this story.  Brom Bones an interesting character but was he important to the story? How did things turn out?

Module 3 part 2

exercise in thinking and writing mini narratives using deBono's provocation technique

This is the coldest November ever in Sapporo. It has already snowed more than 60cm. OK, maybe not 60; more like 20cm. It is the right kind of weather for going to the onsen. If today were a holiday, I would be in jozenkei.

begin with exaggeration;  comment on experience

This is the coldest November ever in Sapporo.

followed by distortion;  memories are inaccurate

It has already snowed more than 60cm.

next reversal ;  (e.g. actually…. a denial)

OK, maybe not 60. More like 20cm.

Then escape,    e.g. try to change the topic

It is the right kind of weather for going to the onsen. 

Finally, wishful thinking;  positive ending with a touch of resolve

If today was a holiday, I would be in jozenkei.

Facing challenges

Facing challenges

Write you paragraph in the comments below.