'The Flowers' by Alice Walker
Analysis and Evaluation
Unit
Academic goals: to learn
about turning point, mood and
symbolism, and be able to
explain how these are created
in a story.
Social goals: to take turns in
discussion; to reach
consensus; to listen actively.
Read ‘The Flowers’ aloud in your groups,
starting with number 1 and going clockwise.
Once you have finished, discuss what you
think the story was about – the plot and
theme.
Now find your 3 o’clock date. Starting with the
taller of the two of you, explain your group’s
interpretation. Then go back to your group.
Starting with number 3, share your date’s
explanation and decide whether or not your
group’s ideas were right.
In your groups, number 2 reads out the definition of
a turning point:
A turning point in a story is the point when there is a
significant change in the way a character is thinking
or behaving, in the mood or atmosphere of the story,
in the tension and so on.
Decide where in the turning point occurs in ‘The
Flowers’. Be prepared to explain your reasoning to
the class.
Once you agree, number 4 should cut the story in
two at that point.
In your groups, numbers 1 and 2 will now
work on the first section of the story, and
numbers 3 and 4 will work on the second
section.
We are going to look at how the author
creates mood. The mood before the
turning point is much happier than after
it.
For your section of the story, highlight the
following:
• references to light and colour
• references to setting
• references to Myop’s actions.
Now discuss with your partner how these
references help to create mood.
You’re going to explain what you think to the
other pair in your group, starting with numbers
1 and 2. Numbers 3 and 4 should ask
questions to clarify the explanation. Now
swap over so numbers 3 and 4 explain their
findings and numbers 1 and 2 ask questions.
Be prepared to share your discussions with
the whole class.
Next we’re going to think about symbolism.
In the story, flowers could be said to be
symbolic, which means they are used to
represent an idea.
For your half of the story, find all the
references to flowers. Now share your findings
with the others in your group.
In your groups, take turns to read out the
references to flowers. Think about what’s
happening at the point in the story when
flowers are mentioned. Discuss what the
flowers might represent.
Each of you should now fill in a table like the
one on the next slide. Be prepared to share
your answers with someone else.
Reference
to flowers
What’s
happening
in the story
'silver ferns
and
wildflowers
grew'
Myop is near
her home
and picking
flowers
What the
flowers
might
represent
Find your 6 o’clock date. Starting with the
eldest, take turns to share your ideas. If you
don’t agree, try to reach a consensus.
Now report back to the class.
Finally, we’re going to see if you can explain
what we’ve learned.
In your groups, discuss the following:
How does Walker create mood, use a
turning point and use symbolism in her
story?
Stand and deliver until everyone can explain
these three points.
Now meet your 9 o’clock date.
Starting with the shorter person, explain what
you have learned.
The person who is listening should ask
questions to clarify the explanation.
So how well have we learned? Use fist to five to rate
the following:
• How well do I understand mood, turning point and
symbolism in this story?
• How well do I think I understand these terms in
general?
• How well was I able to explain them to others?
• How well did I listen, take turns and reach
consensus?