“The Loudest Voice”

The voice is very ethnic (Jewish NYC.” Can you identify how different it sounds?

What do you think of how the school is running the Christmas play? How is that reflected in the city around them?

What is the point Shirley’s mother is trying to make?

What point is the father trying to make/

Humor is an important part of this story. Where is the humor and what kind is it?

“I know Why the Caged Bird Sings”

How does this story compare to the one we read last fall?

Describe the narrator?

How is the tone different?

This story is very ironic. What is the central irony?

Does the narrator strike you as being detached? Why or why not?

What is the significance of the people on the bridge hearing the noise coming from the roadhouse? (Note here: “A good time woman” is a madam; this place is part saloon, part whorehouse; blacks would not have been allowed near the bars in town so this was their place.)

“Sonny’s Blues”

What are your initial reactions to the story

Why the first paragraph of the story?

What do you think of Sonny? What does the narrator think of Sonny?

What is Sonny’s view on heroin?

What role does jazz play? How is it portrayed? (Be specific here).

How does your overall view differ from that of the narrator’s? Why does it differ?

What is the significance of the last sentence?

What is the vision of the story?

“High Horse’s Courting”

Now it is time for something completely different...ready? This time I don’t want analysis. I want instead for you to retell the story. Take the main characters, give them new names and set them in the world today. Then take a small portion of the story and retell it as if it happened today. Remember to retain the spirit and idea of the tale, just with modern details. Have some fun with this.

“The Yellow Wallpaper”

What is the narrator’s situation?
What do you think of John?
What do you think of their marriage?
What is the purpose of the room she is in?
How does her description of the wallpaper change?
Why does it change?
What happens in the end of the story?

“The Rocking Horse Winner”

What do you think of the mother? Why does she need money so badly?
Is she a bad mother?
What feelings does she have for Paul?
What happens to Paul in the end?
What do you feel is the narrator’s feelings about the mother? Explain.
What do you suppose the theme of this story is?

“Harrison Bergeron”

If you read this in English 10, do you remember it? Any insights about reading it now?

What techniques do you see?

What is Vonnegut’s purpose in making the handicaps the way they are?

What parallels does the story have to today? What are the similarities and differences tour society?

Is Harrison’s rebellion a victory?

What do you think the point is?