AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE Realism PREWRITE

AN OCCURRENCE AT OWL CREEK BRIDGE Realism

PRE-WRITE: EXPECTATIONS What do you expect, based on your new knowledge of Realism, for this story to be like? Explain. What do you think the style of writing will be? Why? What from the Realism background you have suggests this?

QUICK REFRESHER: SATIRE Satire is the use of different elements such as irony, sarcasm, humor and ridicule to criticize or mock the foolish behavior of others. Although the use of satire is often entertaining, it is also often used to bring attention to a particular subject and promote change.

FUNCTION OF SATIRE The role of satire is to ridicule or criticize those vices in the society, which the writer considers a threat to civilization. The writer considers it his obligation to expose these vices for the betterment of humanity. Therefore, the function of satire is not to make others laugh at persons or ideas they make fun of. It intends to warn the public and to change their opinions about the prevailing corruption/conditions in society.

AFTER READING… List 4 -5 of the elements of realism that you see in this story. Is this use of realism effective in creating a purpose for the story? Why? What could be satirical about this piece? Explain. Why might the author have used satire to enhance the realistic nature of the piece?

THEME & REALISM Create a theme statement for this story. Now, pretend that you are going to write an essay that is arguing that the use of the elements of realism support this theme. Write a thesis statement that argues this theme statement and its connection to realism.