Name_______________________
Period_______________
Short Story
Unit
Point of View
Homework Packet

Use complete sentences
Use precise language
Eliminate all taboos
 Provide textual evidence
Cite rhetorical devices (literary elements and poetic devices)
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Study Guide for “The Cask of Amontillado” 1846
I. VOCABULARY: Be able to define the following words and understand them when they
appear in the story.
catacombs_____________________________________________________________________
virtuoso_______________________________________________________________________
impunity______________________________________________________________________
fettered_______________________________________________________________________
connoisseur____________________________________________________________________
gait___________________________________________________________________________
precluded______________________________________________________________________
retribution_____________________________________________________________________
afflicted_______________________________________________________________________
explicit________________________________________________________________________
II. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the story.
What is the mood of the story? (three differing adjectives and an explanation).
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What is situational irony? Cite an example from the story and explain why it is this type of irony.
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What is dramatic irony? Cite an example from the story and explain why it is this type of irony.
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2
What is verbal irony?
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Cite two pieces of rhetoric (poetic devices or literary elements) the author uses to create mood?
Example: _____________________________________________________________________
Example: _____________________________________________________________________
Cite two grotesque elements in the story?
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Cite two arabesque elements in the story?
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Which element of the gothic, grotesque or arabesque, do you find more frightening in this story? Why
From what point of view is the story told? ________________________________________________
Example:______________________________________________________________________
What effect does this point of view have on the story? ________________________________________
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What is the abstract noun that best defines this story? Cite a defining quote that reveals your choice.
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*What is the theme of the story?
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3
Another point of view is subtley revealed in this story. Quote the line where it appears. What point of
view is this?
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What does the revelation of this point of view do to the message of the story or to the narrator’s
credibility?
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Change this sentence to the various points of view: I love Finny Carl Gerber. (you’ll have to add text so use
your imagination)
First person _________________________________________________________________________
Second person _______________________________________________________________________
Third person objective _________________________________________________________________
Third person limited ___________________________________________________________________
Third person omniscient _______________________________________________________________
III. QUESTIONS: Answer the following questions.
1. What is the meaning of the phrase “A wrong is unredressed when retribution overtakes its redresser”?
2. Why did Montresor seek revenge on Furtonato?
3. How did Montresor know that the house would be empty?
4. Where had the stone and morter, used by Montresor to wall up the entrance to the niche, been
hidden?
5. In your own words, describe the catacombs that Furtunato is led through.
6. Where and when is the story set? Give reasons for your answer.
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7. Why does Montresor make sure Fortunato has drunk a lot of wine?
8. What is Luchresi’s role in the story?
9. What preparations had Montressor made for his revenge?
10. Why does Montresor appear concerned about Fortunato’s health?
11. Describe Fortunato’s character.
Period 2: "My dear Fortunato, you are luckily met. How remarkably well you are looking to-day ! But I
have received a pipe of what passes for Amontillado, and I have my doubts."
.
Period 4: "Nemo me impune lacessit".
Period 5: "…the cough is a mere nothing; it will not kill me. I shall not die of a cough."
Say
TLQ:
Mean
This means that….
(stay in the quote – dig)
Matter
This matters because….
(how does this idea relate to the
entire story?. How do poetic devices
create this idea?)
Quote
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“The Bass, the River, and Sheila Mant” Questions
by W. D. Wetherell
1983
1. From what chronological time frame is the story told?
2. What is the point of view specifically?
3. Why do you think the author chose to tell the story from this perspective?
4. What insights does this perspective offer the reader? Please cite a specific passage from the story
that could only be conveyed by this POV.
5. How long has it been since the author lived this experience and when he retold it? What effect does
the passage of time have on your understanding and appreciation of the events?
6. What is the author's tone in this story? Select three adjective and provide three direct quotes from
the text.
7. What is the mood? Select three adjective and provide three direct quotes from the text.
8. How would the story appear if it were told from say the third person omniscient?
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9. What is the theme of the story?
10. Using the form below, complete the Say/Mean/Matter. For this Say/Mean/Matter, select your own
quote from the story that supports your theme (#9 above). It may be one to two lines.
Say
TLQ:
Mean
This means that….
(stay in the quote – dig)
Matter
This matters because….
(how does this idea relate to the
entire story?. How do poetic devices
create this idea?)
Quote
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The Sniper
by Liam O’Flaherty’s
1923
1. What time of day is the story set?
2. What are the names of the two sides?
3. What side is the protagonist on?
4. Why hadn’t the sniper eaten since morning?
5. What risk does the sniper decide to take?
6. What pulls up in front of the building?
7. What happens to the driver and the old woman?
8. What happens to the sniper?
9. Describe the sniper’s ruse to kill the other sniper.
10. How does the sniper feel about war after he had killed the other sniper?
11. What happened when the sniper threw the revolver down?
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12. Who was the dead sniper?
13. What point of view is the story told from? Provide a piece of text that shows this point of view
14. How do you feel this point of view enriches the story? What does it add to the theme?
15. How might the story be different if the story was told from third person omniscient?
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Study Guide for “The Open Window”
I. LITERARY TERMS: Be able to define each term and apply each term to the story.
What is a pseudonym? Saki is a pseudonym for who?
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Point of View________________________________________________________________________
First person____________________________________________________________________
Third person omniscient__________________________________________________________
Third person limited_____________________________________________________________
Who is the protagonist? Why?
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Who is the antagonist? Why ?__________________________________________________________
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What is flashback? Where does it appear in the story?
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What is the mood of the story? (three differing adjectives and an explanation).
___________________________________________________________________________________
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III. QUESTIONS: Answer the following questions. Be sure to use complete sentences.
1. How old is Vera?
2. From what does Framton Nuttel suffer?
3. What did Framton’s sister give him to take with him and why?
4. What does Framton know of Vera’s aunt?
5. What does Vera say happened three years ago?
6. Besides the three men, who else went missing, according Vera?
7. According to Vera, why is the window left open?
8. Why does Framton run out of the house?
9. What does a bicyclist have to do to avoid hitting Framton?
10. What reason does Vera give for why Framton ran off?
11. How might the story be different if Framton were the narrator?
IV. POINT OF VIEW
12. What point of view is the story told from? Provide a piece of text that shows this point of view
13. How do you feel this point of view enriches the story? What does it add to the theme?
14. How might the story be different if the story was told from third person limited?
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“A&P”
By John Updike
(1961)
1. How old is Sammy?
2. How would you describe the voice or the tone Updike give to Sammy?
3. Provide direct quotes to show Sammy’s age.
4. What point of view is the story told from? Provide a piece of text that shows this point of view
5. How do you feel this point of view enriches the story? Why do you think the author uses this pov?
6. As Sammy tells his story, do you believe he is an objective narrator? Provide evidence of his bias or lack of
bias.
7. Look up the word “persona” and provide a denotation. How is Sammy actually a persona and not the author
himself (provide evidence)
8. What do you believe is the theme of the work?
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