Federigo’s Falcon Group Work
1 “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” Recount, in simple
terms, how each of you has experienced this phenomena in life. Now
do the same for Federigo – what is it he possessed that he doesn’t
realize its worth till too late – careful here – it’s probably not the falcon
(but if you think it is, that’s fine, just support your view with textual
evidence). Find 2 quotes, regardless, to support your answer either
way.
2.
Connections: What similar discovery of “loss too late to rectify”
do the following make:
Beowulf’s men when they refuse to fight the dragon
The townspeople of Hadleyville (High Noon)
The Wife of Bath & Johnnie
All mankind on the Celtic gravestone
Unferth when he first decides to confront Grendel (in Grendel)
Grendel( in the book of that title) when he realizes the nature of the world (and his mother lunges at him).
The 3 men in “The Pardoner’s Tale”
The song “Big Yellow Taxi” (find 2 here)
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3. How is the ending of this story a bit of a surprise to the reader after considering the day’s theme (see
introduction in your text). Be specific here and use at least 1 quote from the tale in answering your
question.
4. With #3 in mind, how does this story end with Monna Giovanna – By today’s standards how do we
judge her husband’s treatment (think inheritance) of her; her brother’s treatment of her, even Federigo’s
treatment of her ( you must be very subtle here – look at the ending). Does she wish to marry (and
would the Wife of Bath (by the way – remember for her it was either marry or “burn”). This story
begins by talking about Federigo, it ends with him, and it his name gives the story its title, yet did he
seem to be the main character while you reading the story? Explain with specifics. Keeping all of this
in mind – what is notably missing from the last sentence? Find 2 quotes from the “Wife of Bath’s
Prologue” (or from a related handout) that mesh
BIG YELLOW TAXI by Joni Mitchell
with her plight – either directly or ironically.
They paved paradise And put up a parking lot
With a pink hotel, a boutique And a swinging hot spot
Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise And put up a parking lot
They took all the trees Put 'em in a tree museum
And they charged the people A dollar and a half just to see 'em
Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise And put up a parking lot
Hey farmer farmer Put away that D.D.T. now
Give me spots on my apples But leave me the birds and the bees
Please!
Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise And put up a parking lot
Late last night I heard the screen door slam
And a big yellow taxi Took away my old man
Don't it always seem to go That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise And put up a parking lot