“The Shining Houses” by Alice Munro
Questions for Discussion
1. Describe fully the physical setting of this short story. Explain why this setting is so critical to
the plot.
2. Describe Mrs. Fullerton character.
3. What is the motivation of the people who “win” in this story?
4. Conflict in the story is established through a series of contrasts, most noticeably contrasting
settings, both physical and social, and contrasting motivations and goals. Alice Munro uses
contrasts to explore the conflict. List as many varied contrasts as you are able. What is the
writer’s purpose in setting up so many different contrasts?
5. What does the title “Shining Houses” symbolize? Explain.
6. Explain, in light of the entire story, the irony in the last two paragraphs of “The Shining
Houses"
Group Work
Characterization
Find the paragraph in which the word “barricade” is used by the protagonist to describe Mrs.
Fullerton’s home. Identify other words from the same paragraph whose connotations help to
convey the impression of barricades.
a) What are some of the physical barricades that Mrs. Fullerton has surrounded herself
with?
b) What are the social barricades?
c) What are the emotional barricades?
d) What appears to have been her purpose in erecting all these barricades?
Theme
Select a theme from the story and prove it with several specific references. Use the chart below:
Quotation from the Short Story
Context and Significance