Name_____________________________________
Jewett & Chopin Questions
“A White Heron,” Sarah Orne Jewett
Write complete sentences for each question.
1. What is significant about the relationship between humans and nature in the story?
2. In refusing to betray the White Heron's secret to the ornithologist, what, in the context of the story, is little Sylvia
apparently rejecting? What force does the hunting scientist represent?
3. Why must Sylvia climb to the top of the old pine tree in order to find the White Heron? What does the pine tree,
the oldest and tallest tree in the forest, come to represent to her? What does she gain from her vision at the top?
4. How does Jewett view the two different worlds, nature and society, in this story? Is Sylvia's choice of the heron
over the young man necessarily the better one in the view of the tale? Support your argument with passages from
the story.
“The Story of an Hour,” Kate Chopin
Write complete sentences for each question.
1. The story ends in a misinterpretation. How has the author prepared us to understand simultaneously how the
doctors might arrive at this conclusion and how their conclusion is wrong?
2. “There would be no one to live for during those coming years…” How does this sentence contain the dual
perspective that is repeatedly presented in the story?
3. What is the effect of this dual perspective on the mood of the story?
4. Explain how Mrs. Mallard can be both grief-stricken and relieved that her husband has died.
“The Storm,” Kate Chopin
Write complete sentences for each question.
The storm raging outside of Calixta’s home is a metaphor for the storm raging within her. Write three sentences
from the text that illustrate this metaphor:
1.
2.
3.
4. What does Alcee provide that is missing from Calixta’s marriage to Bobinot? Quote from the text to support
your position.
5. “So the storm passed, and everyone was happy.” What statement is this final sentence making about Calixta’s
encounter with Alcee and about her marriage to Bobinot?
Comprehensive
Write a complete paragraph.
What statement does Chopin seem to be making about the of women in “The Story of an Hour” and “The Strom?”
Citee at least one passage from each story to support your point of view.