ISM English 2
Short Stories: Identity Unit
Essential Questions
- How is identity created?
- How do experiences shape a person?
- How does an author use literary techniques to create meaning?
So, there are two aspects to this unit - the theme of identity and the literary
techniques used by an author. Remember that now.
The attached sheet has descriptions and examples of all the literary techniques
you will need to understand and this sheet has questions and exercises that focus
on understanding the meaning of the stories including the theme of identity. To
create meaning – such as the theme – use the techniques. It also has some
questions about literary techniques.
Note about annotation. Discuss with your teacher the best way to annotate a text.
I suggest using highlighters or different colored pencils for different literary
elements. Use abbreviations, numbers and anything else that makes sense to use
to improve your critical reading skills.
Harrison Bergeron by Kurt Vonnegut
This story is part science fiction, part satire, part humor.
1. What is science fiction? What is the point of (serious) science fiction?
2. What is satire? What does it do?
3. Humor can work in many different ways to create meaning in a text. Why
do you think Vonnegut uses humor in Harrison Bergeron?
4. Analyze the three main characters. Describe them and then write down
how Vonnegut has created them. What are the literary features that he
used? Give examples
5. How is Harrison Bergeron different? Note his language use, the
descriptions of him, his goals, his personality and anything else that
makes him different to others.
6. What is the point of the handicaps? Why are some of them so ridiculous?
7. Why is Diana Moon Glampers similar to Hazel? Is there a point to this?
8. What is the tone of this story? Proof?
9. What is the point of this story? What is Vonnegut trying to say about
modern society?
10. Do you know of any other satirical stories or films? What points are they
trying to make?
11. What is a dystopia? Is this one? How can you tell?
How is this story different from the others we have studied? Do you like it? Why?
Theme: Identity
What does the story tell us about identity and how society can shape or destroy
it? A paragraph answer please.
Raymond’s Run by Toni Cade Bambara
1. Describe the narrator, Squeaky, using five adjectives. For each adjective
find at least one quote (one sentence only) to demonstrate this quality.
2. What is important to her?
3. How does she relate to other people? Give three examples.
4. Why is the story called ‘Raymond’s Run’? What is the importance of this?
5. How does she change from the beginning of the story to the end?
Theme: Identity
1. What are the forces that help to shape Squeaky’s character (eg where she
lives, her tasks etc)
2. How do they shape her?
3. What does she learn by the end of the story?
4. Learning can be described as expanding your horizons. How does
Squeaky now see her future?
Literary Techniques
1. This is a first person narrative. What can this show the reader about a
character (or characters)? What doesn’t it show?
2. Note the figurative language. What does it show about Squeaky?
Shaving by Leslie Norris
Plot
1. This story clearly focuses on a single event – Barry’s act of shaving his father’s sevenday-old beard. So why do you think the author begins with Barry’s brief conversation
with Jackie and Sue?
2. What point of view is the story told from? Why is this point of view effective?
3. We often talk about the need for conflict in a story. Where is the conflict in this story?
Why do you think it’s not readily apparent?
4. What type of ending does this story have? Explain.
Character
5. How would you describe the protagonist? Why? How has the author characterized
him?
6. Barry’s father has “obstinate, strong hair” that sticks out over his brow. Why do you
think Norris describes his hair in this way?
7. Barry’s mother is given very little mention, but we do learn that she is “a tempest of
orderly energy”. What type of comparison do we see in this quote? Thinking more
about character – why, if she is indeed a “tempest of orderly energy”, is it still
important for Barry’s father to know that Barry is mature enough (“bigger than most
men”) and can take over his role of authority?
Other Literary Features
8. What is the mood or tone of the story (Comforting, melancholy, bittersweet,
depressing, etc…)? Identify five single words (diction) that contribute to the mood,
tone or atmosphere you think the story portrays. Describe the connotative
feeling/atmosphere that is created by two of these words.
9. Locate one or two similes in the story and explain how they create a unique effect.
Close Reading
10. What do you make of the line in the first paragraph that informs us that Barry “walked
solidly now, and often alone”? Why is he often alone?
11. “You’re young,” his father said, “to have this happen.” “Not too young,” Barry said. “I’m
bigger than most men.” “I think you are,” his father said. Explain what is implied by
this line.
12. “It’s comforting,” he said. “You’d be surprised how comforting it is.” Explain what is
implied by this line.
13. In the second to last paragraph explain the significance of the line “all free of taint”.
14. “But now the window was full in the beam of the dying sunlight and Barry stood there,
illuminated in its golden warmth for a whole minute, knowing it would soon be gone.”
Explain the meaning and significance of this sentence.
Theme (Not Identity)
15. Using all the previous information, what would you say is the theme of “Shaving”?
Write in a complete sentence please.
Theme: Identity
16. How have the forces in Barry’s life affected him? What has he become?
Barn Burning by William Faulkner
1. Summarize the story in a paragraph.
2. Describe the life the family leads.
3. For the father – Snopes – find ten descriptive words or phrases that
Faulkner uses. In your own words, what impression is the author trying
to create about this character?
4. What does the father believe? What does he try to teach Sartoris?
5. How does Sartoris view his father? Give several proofs.
6. What is the moral dilemma that Sartoris must solve? What does he decide
at the end of the story?
Theme: Identity
7. In solving this moral dilemma what are some possible factors in his life
that have influenced him? Think carefully and creatively about this.
8. Why has Sartoris turned out differently to his brother? Explain the
differences and argue why they are different.
9. What other themes are present in this story? Show.
Literary Techniques
1. Faulkner uses many different techniques in this story – such as diction, motifs,
symbolism, sentence structure, dialogue, use of setting to create themes. Work
with a partner to discuss one of these. Present your ideas to the class.
This is What it Means to Say Phoenix, Arizona by Sherman Alexie
Discuss the short story.
1. Why do some people on the reservation avoid Thomas?
2. Why does Thomas go on the trip with Victor?
3. Do you think the relationship between Victor and Thomas will change
after this trip? Support your answer from the text.
4. Why do you think it’s acceptable to Thomas that his cousin Victor won’t
acknowledge their relationship in front of the others?
5. Why do you think Thomas continues to tell his stories when no one will
listen?
Skill Development: Flashbacks
A flashback is a break in the action of a story to tell what happened at an earlier
time. Flashbacks supply background information that gives depth to the current
story.
Summarize each flashback. There are five. Explain how each added to your
understanding of the story.
Themes:
What does Victor learn about his identity after his journey with Thomas? Does
Victor change after his experiences?
Consider Victor and Thomas’s relationship AND Victor’s relationship with his
father?
Culture:
What do you learn about the Native American culture from this passage?
Support your answer with specifics from the text.
Characterization:
After reading, think about what you learn about the characters, Victor and
Thomas. Prove with quotes.