”On Hope”- Spencer Holst
Protagonist – The gypsy is the protagonist
Antagonist – The cursed diamond necklace is the antagonist and the
gypsy because of his struggle to do the right thing.
What is the point of view? – The point of view is third person limited
How can you tell? – The narrator is not one of the characters. He is
telling about their experiences. He uses words like he, she, they…he only
reveals what the gypsy is thinking (that is why it is limited.)
Briefly describe the setting. – The setting is the Rock of Gibraltar (Spain)
in the past (at night)
Name at least three events that occur in the rising action.
The monkey steals the diamond three times. The gypsy returns the
diamond twice. The monkey dies. The gypsy goes to the water and swims
out a mile.
Describe the climax? – The gypsy drops the diamond in the trench
(thinking he is ridding the world of the curse.)
What is the resolution? – There is no resolution; we are not sure if the
gypsy rid himself or the world of the curse.
Identify any other elements of fiction that you found in this story.
Falling action – the diamond sinks and lands on the shark; the necklace is
moving toward the man, the man is swimming toward the necklace.
Foreshadowing – the exposition told you that the diamond had a curse.
Flashback – the story fills you in on what happened the first two nights; the
third night is where the story began.
Conflict – both internal and external…getting rid of the curse (doing the
right thing.)
How does this story fit in with our enduring understanding this year?
(Remember: Conflict can be an agent for positive or negative change)
The gypsy changed in a positive way because he went from being a thief to
trying to do the right thing. He tried to return the diamond, and then he
tried to rid the world of the curse.
“Stop the Sun”
Exposition – In the exposition, the reader learns the following:
Setting – Terry’s hometown - hardware store, the mall Terry’s house
(kitchen.) Modern times (after the Vietnam War.)
Point of View – 3rd person limited
Conflict – Terry is confused and embarrassed about his father’s
actions. (internal)
Protagonist – Terry
Antagonist – Terry
Rising Action - the following events occur in the rising action:
- Terry tries to find out about Vietnam from his mother.
- Terry tries to find out about Vietnam from his teacher.
- Terry tries to find out about Vietnam from the library.
- Terry’s father has an episode at the hardware store.
Climax – Terry finally asks his father about Vietnam
Falling Action – Terry’s father tells him the story about the night he had to
“stop the sun”
Resolution – Terry had more knowledge about Vietnam and he would no
longer be embarrassed by his father’s actions.
Flashback – Terry’s father was having a flashback when he crawled down
the aisle of the hardware store.
Theme – sometimes you need to confront your problems head-on.
“The Dinner Party”
Exposition – in the exposition the reader learns the
following:
Setting – the story takes place in India at a dinner
party. It is probably set in the 19th century.
Point of View – the story is told from third person
omniscient.
Conflict – the problem is that women are being
stereotyped. (Man vs.man)
Protagonist – the hostess of the dinner party, Mrs.
Wynnes, experiences the problem (as well as the other
women.)
Antagonist – the colonel causes the problem.
Rising Action – the following events occur in the rising
action:
The colonel and one of the female guests argue over
the courage and control of women.
The hostess calls the servant over and whispers
something.
The servant brings a bowl of milk and sets it on the
verandah.
The American naturalist notices this and begins to
search the room.
He decides to settle the on going argument by having
a contest to see who has more control.
Climax – the snake slithers out from under the table and
the American slams the door.
Falling Action – Recognizing that the American knew
there was a snake in the room, the host congratulates him
for proving that men do have more control.
The American has Mrs. Wynnes explain how SHE knew
the snake was in the room. She says it was lying on her
foot!
Resolution – Mrs. Wynnes disproves the stereotype by
proving that women can have just as much control as
men.
Other elements:
Foreshadowing – the bowl of milk indicated there was a
snake.
Theme – Don’t judge a book by its cover.
“The Monkey’s Paw” - W.W. Jacobs
Exposition –
Characters - Mr. White (protagonist), Mrs. White, Herbert
White, Sergeant Major Morris.
Setting – Laburnum Cottage, England. In the past.
Conflict – Mr. White wishes on the cursed paw aware that
there are consequences (antagonist =self, he causes his
own problem.)
Point of View – third person omniscient
Rising Action – Herbert and Mr. White are playing chess while waiting for
a guest.
Sergeant Major Morris arrives.
He tells the story of the monkey’s paw.
Mr. White retrieves the paw from the fire.
Morris warns him about interfering with fate
(foreshadowing.)
He wishes for two hundred pounds.
Herbert is killed in the machinery at work; the White’s
receive two hundred pounds for compensation.
Mrs. White begs Mr. White to wish for Herbert to be alive
again.
Climax White
There is a banging on the door; it will not open and Mrs.
cannot move the bolt. Mr. White is groping for the paw.
Falling Action-
Mr. White wishes and the banging stops.
They open the door and the street is deserted.
Resolution –
Mr. White learned that wishes have consequences and
fate rules lives.
Theme- Be careful what you wish for. Don’t mess with fate.