Unit 1 Literary Devices in Fiction The subject

Unit 1: Literary Devices in Fiction

The subject refers to the topic of the story. Subject and Theme in Fiction The theme is an abstract main idea built by the author using characters, dialogue, setting, and other literary elements.

Theme – a central idea or universal truth about the world, life, or human nature. Subject and Theme in Fiction Common Themes : Man’s worst enemy is man Good is stronger than evil Strength through adversity (hardship) Life is beautiful but short Love conquers all Treat others fairly

Clues for theme Subject and Theme in Fiction Title Repeated images or ideas Lessons characters learn Connections to real life

Which sentences contribute to a sense of hope in this excerpt from "The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin? She wept at once, with sudden, wild abandonment, in her sister's arms. When the storm of grief had spent itself she went away to her room alone. She would have no one follow her. Subject and Theme in Fiction There stood, facing the open window, a comfortable, roomy armchair. Into this she sank, pressed down by a physical exhaustion that haunted her body and seemed to reach into her soul. She could see in the open square before her house the tops of trees that were all aquiver with the new spring life. The delicious breath of rain was in the air. In the street below a peddler was crying his wares. The notes of a distant song which someone was singing reached her faintly, and countless sparrows were twittering in the eaves. There were patches of blue sky showing here and there through the clouds that had met and piled one above the other in the west facing her window. She sat with her head thrown back upon the cushion of the chair, quite motionless, except when a sob came up into her throat and shook her, as a child who has cried itself to sleep continues to sob in its dreams.

What is a subordinating conjunction? A subordinating conjunction is always added before a clause to make it a dependent clause. Look at the sentences: Focus on Language Because Kyle was too small, he could not ride on the roller coaster. Luke woke up when his alarm rang. In both sentences, the subordinating conjunction is the first word in the underlined dependent clause. Note that you can change the order of the dependent clause and the independent clause in either sentence; however, only when a dependent clause with a subordinating conjunction is at the beginning of a sentence is it followed by a comma.

Select the correct subordinating conjunction to complete the sentence. Focus on Language _____ he did to study for the exam must have been helpful; his grade improved form a B to an A. Which That So what Whatever

What is motif in literature? Subject and Theme in Fiction A recurring literary element in a story A motif is an element such as an object, event, image, or device that the author repeats in a significant way. For instance, in “The Open Boat” Stephen Crane uses the reccurring image of the waves to show nature’s brutality and indifference to man.

Select the noun clauses in the sentences. Focus on Language Whatever you do make sure you're home on time. Janice couldn't decide what she should major in at college.

Answers: Subject and Theme in Fiction Whatever you do what she should major in at college

Select all the correct answers. Which sentences contain an adverb clause? Focus on Language Darla set up a studio because she enjoyed painting. As Aaron was having a midnight snack, he heard a loud noise coming from the basement. The entire town was searching for the girl with the red hair. They listened to what he had to say but disagreed with him in the end.

Adjective Clauses Another type of dependent clause is the adjective clause. Unlike noun clauses, adjective clauses give us additional information about nouns in a sentence. In other words, they modify the noun. An adjective clause almost always follows a noun or a pronoun. For example, look at this sentence: Focus on Language The girl who won the gold medal met the president. To find the adjective clause, locate the noun. In this case, the noun is girl. Therefore, the clause that follows girl is the adjective clause: The girl who won the gold medal met the president.

Which sentence has an adjective clause? Focus on Language 1) Mike rode his bike on mountain trails because he found them challenging. 2) Gary donated to charity whenever he could. 3) Liz, who could always make people laugh, was loved by the whole block. 4) Ever since Adam was a little boy, he had helped his father in the fields.

Which of these lines from Stephen Crane’s “The Open Boat” best reflects the subject of the excerpt? In disjointed sentences the cook and the correspondent argued as to the difference between a life-saving station and a house of refuge. The cook had said: "There's a house of refuge just north of the Mosquito Inlet Light, and as soon as they see us, they'll come off in their boat and pick us up. “ "As soon as who see us? " said the correspondent. "The crew, " said the cook. Subject and Theme in Fiction "Houses of refuge don't have crews, " said the correspondent. "As I understand them, they are only places where clothes and grub are stored for the benefit of shipwrecked people. They don't carry crews. " "Oh, yes, they do, " said the cook. "No, they don't, " said the correspondent. "Well, we're not there yet, anyhow, " said the oiler, in the stern. "Well, " said the cook, "perhaps it's not a house of refuge that I'm thinking of as being near Mosquito Inlet Light. Perhaps it's a life-saving station. " "We're not there yet, " said the oiler, in the stern. As the boat bounced from the top of each wave, the wind tore through the hair of the hatless men, and as the craft plopped her stern down again the spray slashed past them. The crest of each of these waves was a hill, from the top of which the men surveyed, for a moment, a broad tumultuous expanse; shining and wind-riven. It was probably splendid. It was probably glorious, this play of the free sea, wild with lights of emerald and white and amber.

In “The Exercise, ” Bernard Mac. Laverty contrasts two ideas of fatherhood—one that is loving and one that is cold and strict. Which lines reflect theme of the strict father figure? “You could have made a better job of it yourself. Other hand. ” The same ritual of raising and lowering the left hand with the tip of the cane to the desired height. “After all, I have taught you some Latin. ” Crack. “It would be hard to do any worse. ” Subject and Theme in Fiction Kevin went back to his place resisting a desire to hug his hands under his armpits and stumbled on a schoolbag jutting into the aisle as he pushed into his desk. Again Waldo looked round the class and said, “Now we’ll have it right from someone. ” The class continued and Kevin nursed his fingers, out of the fray. As the bell rang Waldo gathered up his books and said, “Sweeny, I want a word with you outside. Ave Maria, gratia plena. . . ” It was not until the end of the corridor that Waldo turned to face him. He looked at Kevin and maintained his silence for a moment. “Sweeny, I must apologise to you. ” Kevin bowed his head. “I meant your father no harm – he’s probably a good man, a very good man. ” “Yes, sir, ” said Kevin. The pain in his fingers had gone. “Look at me when I’m talking, please. ” Kevin looked at his collar, his Adam’s apple, then his face. It relaxed for a fraction and Kevin thought he was almost going to smile, but he became efficient, abrupt again.

Read this excerpt from “The Monkey’s Paw” by W. W. Jacobs. Which lines reflect theme that men must never go against fate? He took something out of his pocket and proffered it. Mrs. White drew back with a grimace, but her son, taking it, examined it curiously. "And what is there special about it? " inquired Mr. White as he took it from his son, and having examined it, placed it upon the table. Subject and Theme in Fiction "It had a spell put on it by an old Fakir, " said the Sargeant-Major, "a very holy man. He wanted to show that fate ruled people's lives, and that those who interfered with it did so to their sorrow. He put a spell on it so that three separate men could each have three wishes from it. " "And did you really have three wishes granted? " asked Mrs. White. "I did, " said the seargent-major, and his glass tapped against his strong teeth. "And has anybody else wished? " persisted the old lady. "The first man had his three wishes. Yes, " was the reply, "I don't know what the first two were, but the third was for death. That's how I got the paw. " His tones were so grave that a hush fell upon the group.

Which sentences in this excerpt from Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens reflect the author's satirical tone? "Goodness gracious! Is that you, Mr. Bumble, sir? " said Mrs. Mann, thrusting her head out of the window in well-affected ecstasies of joy. "(Susan, take Oliver and them two brats upstairs, and wash 'em directly. )—My heart alive! Mr. Bumble, how glad I am to see you, sure-ly!" Subject and Theme in Fiction Now, Mr. Bumble was a fat man, and a choleric; so, instead of responding to this open-hearted salutation in a kindred spirit, he gave the little wicket a tremendous shake, and then bestowed upon it a kick which could have emanated from no leg but a beadle's. "Lor, only think, " said Mrs. Mann, running out, —for the three boys had been removed by this time, —"only think of that! That I should have forgotten that the gate was bolted on the inside, on account of them dear children! Walk in sir; walk in, pray, Mr. Bumble, do, sir. " Although this invitation was accompanied with a curtsey that might have softened the heart of a church-warden, it by no means mollified the beadle. "Do you think this respectful or proper conduct, Mrs. Mann, " inquired Mr. Bumble, grasping his cane, "to keep the parish officers a waiting at your garden-gate, when they come here upon porochial business with the porochial orphans? Are you aweer, Mrs. Mann, that you are, as I may say, a porochial delegate, and a stipendiary? "

Which sentences in this excerpt from W. W. Jacobs's "The Monkey's Paw" show that the White family doubts the major's story? Subject and Theme in Fiction “Hold it up in your right hand, and wish aloud, " said the Sergeant-Major, "But I warn you of the consequences. " "Sounds like the 'Arabian Nights, '” said Mrs. White, as she rose and began to set the supper. "Don't you think you might wish for four pairs of hands for me. " Her husband drew the talisman from his pocket, and all three burst into laughter as the Sergeant-Major, with a look of alarm on his face, caught him by the arm. "If you must wish, " he said gruffly, "Wish for something sensible. " "If the tale about the monkey's paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us, " said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest, just in time to catch the last train, "we shan't make much out of it. " "Did you give him anything for it, father? " inquired Mrs. White, regarding her husband closely. "A trifle, " said he, colouring slightly. "He didn't want it, but I made him take it. And he pressed me again to throw it away. " "Likely, " said Herbert, with pretended horror. "Why, we're going to be rich, and famous and happy. Wish to be an emperor, father, to begin with; then you can't be henpecked. " He darted round the table, pursued by the maligned Mrs. White armed with an antimacassar. Mr. White took the paw from his pocket and eyed it dubiously. "I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact, " he said, slowly. "It seems to me I've got all I want. "

Which sentences in this excerpt from W. W. Jacobs's "The Monkey's Paw" show that the White family doubts the major's story? “Hold it up in your right hand, and wish aloud, " said the Sergeant-Major, "But I warn you of the consequences. " "Sounds like the 'Arabian Nights, '” said Mrs. White, as she rose and began to set the supper. "Don't you think you might wish for four pairs of hands for me. " Subject and Theme in Fiction Her husband drew the talisman from his pocket, and all three burst into laughter as the Sergeant-Major, with a look of alarm on his face, caught him by the arm. "If you must wish, " he said gruffly, "Wish for something sensible. " "If the tale about the monkey's paw is not more truthful than those he has been telling us, " said Herbert, as the door closed behind their guest, just in time to catch the last train, "we shan't make much out of it. " "Did you give him anything for it, father? " inquired Mrs. White, regarding her husband closely. "A trifle, " said he, colouring slightly. "He didn't want it, but I made him take it. And he pressed me again to throw it away. " "Likely, " said Herbert, with pretended horror. "Why, we're going to be rich, and famous and happy. Wish to be an emperor, father, to begin with; then you can't be henpecked. " He darted round the table, pursued by the maligned Mrs. White armed with an antimacassar. Mr. White took the paw from his pocket and eyed it dubiously. "I don't know what to wish for, and that's a fact, " he said, slowly. "It seems to me I've got all I want. "

Tone and Mood in Fiction Tone in literature is the writer’s attitude toward the audience and the subject.

The author's tone in this excerpt from "That Spot" by Jack London is indignant or showing annoyance at something unfair. Tone and Mood in Fiction I don’t think much of Stephen Mackaye any more, though I used to swear by him. I know that in those days I loved him more than my own brother. If ever I meet Stephen Mackaye again, I shall not be responsible for my actions. It passes beyond me that a man with whom I shared food and blanket, and with whom I mushed over the Chilcoot Trail, should turn out the way he did. I always sized Steve up as a square man, a kindly comrade, without an iota of anything vindictive or malicious in his nature. I shall never trust my judgment in men again. Why, I nursed that man through typhoid fever; we starved together on the headwaters of the Stewart; and he saved my life on the Little Salmon. And now, after the years we were together, all I can say of Stephen Mackaye is that he is the meanest man I ever knew.

Which sentences in this excerpt from Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Contest" suggest that the author’s tone is mocking? Tone and Mood in Fiction The blue-clad player struck several chords upon his lyre, and then burst suddenly out into the “Ode of Niobe. ” Policles sat straight up on his bench and gazed at the stage in amazement. The tune demanded a rapid transition from a low note to a high, and had been purposely chosen for this reason. The low note was a grunting, a rumble, the deep discordant growling of an illconditioned dog. Then suddenly the singer threw up his face, straightened his tubby figure, rose upon his tiptoes, and with wagging head and scarlet cheeks emitted such a howl as the same dog might have given had his growl been checked by a kick from his master. All the while the lyre twanged and thrummed, sometimes in front of and sometimes behind the voice of the singer. But what amazed Policles most of all was the effect of this performance upon the audience. Every Greek was a trained critic, and as unsparing in hisses as he was lavish in his applause. Many a singer far better than this absurd fop had been driven amid execration and abuse from the platform.

Which sentences in this excerpt from Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Contest" suggest that the author’s tone is mocking? Tone and Mood in Fiction The blue-clad player struck several chords upon his lyre, and then burst suddenly out into the “Ode of Niobe. ” Policles sat straight up on his bench and gazed at the stage in amazement. The tune demanded a rapid transition from a low note to a high, and had been purposely chosen for this reason. The low note was a grunting, a rumble, the deep discordant growling of an ill-conditioned dog. Then suddenly the singer threw up his face, straightened his tubby figure, rose upon his tiptoes, and with wagging head and scarlet cheeks emitted such a howl as the same dog might have given had his growl been checked by a kick from his master. All the while the lyre twanged and thrummed, sometimes in front of and sometimes behind the voice of the singer. But what amazed Policles most of all was the effect of this performance upon the audience. Every Greek was a trained critic, and as unsparing in hisses as he was lavish in his applause. Many a singer far better than this absurd fop had been driven amid execration and abuse from the platform.

In which two sentences does the author use an ironic tone toward the subject? “The Necklace” Tone and Mood in Fiction by Guy de Maupassant (excerpt) The girl was one of those pretty and charming young creatures who sometimes are born, as if by a slip of fate, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no expectations, no way of being known, understood, loved, married by any rich and distinguished man; so she let herself be married to a little clerk of the Ministry of Public Instruction. She dressed plainly because she could not dress well, but she was unhappy as if she had really fallen from a higher station; since with women there is neither caste nor rank, for beauty, grace and charm take the place of family and birth. Natural ingenuity, instinct for what is elegant, a supple mind are their sole hierarchy, and often make of women of the people the equals of the very greatest ladies. . When she sat down to dinner, before the round table covered with a tablecloth in use three days, opposite her husband, who uncovered the soup tureen and declared with a delighted air, "Ah, the good soup! I don't know anything better than that, " she thought of dainty dinners, of shining silverware, of tapestry that peopled the walls with ancient personages and with strange birds flying in the midst of a fairy forest; and she thought of delicious dishes served on marvellous plates and of the whispered gallantries to which you listen with a sphinx like smile while you are eating the pink meat of a trout or the wings of a quail.

In which two sentences does the author use an ironic tone toward the subject? “The Necklace” Tone and Mood in Fiction by Guy de Maupassant (excerpt) The girl was one of those pretty and charming young creatures who sometimes are born, as if by a slip of fate, into a family of clerks. She had no dowry, no expectations, no way of being known, understood, loved, married by any rich and distinguished man; so she let herself be married to a little clerk of the Ministry of Public Instruction. She dressed plainly because she could not dress well, but she was unhappy as if she had really fallen from a higher station; since with women there is neither caste nor rank, for beauty, grace and charm take the place of family and birth. Natural ingenuity, instinct for what is elegant, a supple mind are their sole hierarchy, and often make of women of the people the equals of the very greatest ladies. . When she sat down to dinner, before the round table covered with a tablecloth in use three days, opposite her husband, who uncovered the soup tureen and declared with a delighted air, "Ah, the good soup! I don't know anything better than that, " she thought of dainty dinners, of shining silverware, of tapestry that peopled the walls with ancient personages and with strange birds flying in the midst of a fairy forest; and she thought of delicious dishes served on marvelous plates and of the whispered gallantries to which you listen with a sphinx like smile while you are eating the pink meat of a trout or the wings of a quail.

A story's atmosphere, or mood, helps authors evoke certain reactions from their readers. Tone and Mood in Fiction In theater, directors use different types of music, props, or effects to create a mood. In fiction, an author must skillfully use words to create the mood. For example, Poe describes the “vacant eye-like windows” and the “white trunks of decayed trees” to create the feeling that something bad is about to happen. Mood is the overall feel of a piece.

Based on the context of this excerpt from W. W. Jacobs's "The Monkey's Paw, " what does the word placidly mean? Tone and Mood in Fiction Without, the night was cold and wet, but in the small parlour of Laburnam Villa the blinds were drawn and the fire burned brightly. Father and son were at chess, the former, who possessed ideas about the game involving radical changes, putting his king into such sharp and unnecessary perils that it even provoked comment from the white-haired old lady knitting placidly by the fire. The use of the word placidly suggests an appearance of calmness and relaxation.

What is the overall mood of the passage? melancholy “Araby” by James Joyce (excerpt) North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers' School set the boys free. An uninhabited house of two storeys stood at the blind end, detached from its neighbors in a square ground. The other houses of the street, conscious of decent lives within them, gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces. Tone and Mood in Fiction The former tenant of our house, a priest, had died in the back drawing-room. Air, musty from having been long enclosed, hung in all the rooms, and the waste room behind the kitchen was littered with old useless papers. Among these I found a few paper-covered books, the pages of which were curled and damp: The Abbot, by Walter Scott, The Devout Communicant, and The Memoirs of Vidocq. I liked the last because its leaves were yellow. The wild garden behind the house contained a central apple-tree and a few straggling bushes, under one of which I found the late tenant's rusty bicycle-pump. He had been a very charitable priest; in his will he had left all his money to institutions and the furniture of his house to his sister. When the short days of winter came, dusk fell before we had well eaten our dinners. When we met in the street the houses had grown sombre. The space of sky above us was the colour of ever-changing violet and towards it the lamps of the street lifted their feeble lanterns. The cold air stung us and we played till our bodies glowed. Our shouts echoed in the silent street. The career of our play brought us through the dark muddy lanes behind the houses, where we ran the gauntlet of the rough tribes from the cottages, to the back doors of the dark dripping gardens where odours arose from the ashpits, to the dark odorous stables where a coachman smoothed and combed the horse or shook music from the buckled harness.

What is satire? Tone and Mood in Fiction sarcasm, irony, satire, caustic remark -- witty language used to convey insults or scorn For example: "he used sarcasm to upset his opponent"; "irony is wasted on the stupid"

“The Devil and Tom Walker” by Washington Irving (excerpt) "And, pray, who are you, if I may be so bold? " said Tom. Tone and Mood in Fiction "Oh, I go by various names. I am the wild huntsman in some countries; the black miner in others. In this neighborhood I am known by the name of the black woodsman. I am he to whom the red men consecrated this spot, and in honor of whom they now and then roasted a white man, by way of sweetsmelling sacrifice. Since the red men have been exterminated by you white savages, I amuse myself by presiding at the persecutions of Quakers and Anabaptists; I am the great patron and prompter of slave-dealers and the grand-master of the Salem witches. " "The upshot of all which is, that, if I mistake not, " said Tom, sturdily, "you are he commonly called Old Scratch. " "The same, at your service!" replied the black man, with a half-civil nod. Such was the opening of this interview, according to the old story; though it has almost too familiar an air to be credited. One would think that to meet with such a singular personage in this wild, lonely place would have shaken any man's nerves; but Tom was a hard-minded fellow, not easily daunted, and he had lived so long with a termagant wife that he did not even fear the devil.

Tone and Mood in Fiction How does the satire in this passage influence the reader’s interpretation of Tom? The use of satire makes readers realize that Tom has an unusually calm reaction to meeting the devil.

“Upturned Face “ by Stephen Crane (excerpt) Read the excerpt about two men trying to bury a dead soldier right in the middle of a battle. "Yes, " said Lean. The two privates stood waiting, bent over their implements. "I suppose, " said Lean, "it would be better if we laid him in ourselves. " Tone and Mood in Fiction "Yes, " said the adjutant. Then apparently remembering that he had made Lean search the body, he stooped with great fortitude and took hold of the dead officer's clothing. Lean joined him. Both were particular that their fingers should not feel the corpse. They tugged away; the corpse lifted, heaved, toppled, flopped into the grave, and the two officers, straightening, looked again at each other—they were always looking at each other. They sighed with relief. The adjutant said, "I suppose we should—we should say something. Do you know the service, Tim? " "They don't read the service until the grave is filled in, " said Lean, pressing his lips to an academic expression. "Don't they? " said the adjutant, shocked that he had made the mistake. "Oh, well, " he cried, suddenly, "let us—let us say something—while he can hear us. " "All right, " said Lean. "Do you know the service? " "I can't remember a line of it, " said the adjutant. Lean was extremely dubious. "I can repeat two lines, but—" "Well, do it, " said the adjutant. "Go as far as you can. That's better than nothing. And the beasts have got our range exactly. " Lean looked at his two men. "Attention, " he barked. The privates came to attention with a click, looking much aggrieved. The adjutant lowered his helmet to his knee. Lean, bareheaded, he stood over the grave. The Rostina sharpshooters fired briskly.

Select the correct answer. What are the tone and mood of the passage? Tone and Mood in Fiction 1) The tone of the story is serious and the mood is one of anticipation. 2) The tone of the story is neutral and the mood is one of desperation. 3) The tone of the story is somewhat hopeful and the mood is cheerful. 4) The tone of the story is sympathetic and the mood is sorrowful. 5) The tone of the story is somewhat humorous and the mood is uneasy.

Which sentence best matches the context of the word reticent as it is used in the following example? Tone and Mood in Fiction We could talk about anything for hours. However, the moment I brought up dating, he was extremely reticent about his personal life. 1) He remained indifferent toward others. 2) He was usually a very quiet person. 3) He was an unsympathetic person. 4) He had nothing interesting to say. 5) He wouldn't readily reveal his feelings.

Character and Plot Development in Fiction In fiction, the word character most often represents an answer to the question, “Who's in the story? ” Character roughly translates to "a person involved in the action of a story. "

Character and Plot Development in Fiction In fiction, the word character has a secondary meaning. It's a set of properties that seem to be the "essence" that controls a person's thoughts and actions. When we talk about character in this sense, we usually don't mean physical traits, although they can help define a person's identity. The elements that contribute to character are personality, strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, tendencies, and so on. We call these properties character traits.

Character Traits Character and Plot Development in Fiction To create character traits, authors must form many details about their characters to make them believable and interesting: names, ages, social groups, family histories relationships with other characters physical qualities such as height, body type, and facial features manner of speech dress objects used or accessories carried

Authors develop characters through their traits, inner thoughts, and personal growth. This development is called characterization. Character and Plot Development in Fiction Characterization is the way an author describes or conveys a character’s traits. Writers can take two different approaches to characterization. Direct characterization involves stating the character’s traits through the voice of the narrator. Indirect characterization gives the reader clues about the character’s traits. For example, instead of stating that a character is unhappy and aimless, an author might describe how the character wastes his days alone in the entrance of a damp, dim apartment building. Indirect characterization fits the rule of "show, don't tell, " which most modern writers consider an aspect of good fiction.

Which of the following sentences are examples of direct characterization? Character and Plot Development in Fiction 1) Frank was a very tall man, and managed to immediately intimidate most people he met. 2) The door opened and in came ridiculous Reginald, as dapper and debonair as ever. 3) I looked down the hall and laughed at the sight of little Janine struggling with her enormous suitcase. 4) “Well, ” said Jules, “as you know, I’ve never cared much for Sir Henry. He’s completely out of touch with commoners like ourselves. ”

Which sentence in this excerpt from Mark Twain’s short story “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” is an example of direct characterization? Character and Plot Development in Fiction I found Simon Wheeler dozing comfortably by the barroom stove of the old, dilapidated tavern in the ancient mining camp of Angel's, and I noticed that he was fat and bald-headed, and had an expression of winning gentleness and simplicity upon his tranquil countenance. He roused up and gave me good-day. I told him a friend of mine had commissioned me to make some inquiries about a cherished companion of his boyhood named Leonidas W. Smiley — Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley — a young minister of the Gospel, who he had heard was at one time a resident of Angel's Camp. I added, that, if Mr. Wheeler, could tell me anything about this Rev. Leonidas W. Smiley, I would feel under many obligations to him. Simon Wheeler backed me into a corner and blockaded me there with his chair, and then sat me down and reeled off the monotonous narrative which follows this paragraph.

Types of Characters Character and Plot Development in Fiction Most stories have a mix of major and minor characters. Major characters are essential to the story, while minor characters usually have smaller roles. The protagonist is always a major character and the one with whom readers typically most identify. Much of the story’s action involves the protagonist, so writers generally describe this character in the most detail. An antagonist is also a major character, but one who has opposing goals from the protagonist.

Character and Plot Development in Fiction Leo Tolstoy's "How Much Land Does a Man Need? " presents a peasant, Pahom, who is overcome with greed and pride. The Devil tempts him to want more and more land until his desire eventually leads to his death. Based on the interaction between Pahom and the Devil, Pahom is the type of character known as _____ , while the Devil is intended to be ______. a protagonist an antagonist

Character and Plot Development in Fiction

Character and Plot Development in Fiction Characters can also be dynamic or static, based on how they evolve during the story. A dynamic character undergoes a significant change, while a static character’s traits don’t shift noticeably. Dynamic characters are typically more central to a story’s plot, as evolving a character requires developing and resolving the plot.

Which sentence refers to a dynamic character? Character and Plot Development in Fiction 1) A farmer sticks to an old method of farming while his peers adopt new methods. 2) A spoiled rich teenager learns humility after working with the homeless. 3) Two sisters argue over whether country life or city life is better. 4) A president can't decide whether to declare war over an incident.

Conflict and Plot Character and Plot Development in Fiction In a narrative, conflict arises from the opposition faced by characters. Most works of fiction involve one of these common types of narrative conflict: character versus character --- external character versus nature --- external character versus society --- external character versus self ----- internal

Examples of internal conflict. Character and Plot Development in Fiction Dr. Mac. Dougal can't decide whether to waive his fees for a patient who is struggling financially. Frank feels guilty about not telling his parents what happened at the party. Examples of external conflict. Mark argues with his team members who are angry because he missed practice so often. Mr. Farris’s letters to the editor of the local newspaper turned into a very nasty exchange with another reader.

Based on this excerpt from "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry, what can you infer about the characters Jim and Della? Character and Plot Development in Fiction In the vestibule below was a letter-box into which no letter would go, and an electric button from which no mortal finger could coax a ring. Also appertaining thereunto was a card bearing the name "Mr. James Dillingham Young. " The "Dillingham" had been flung to the breeze during a former period of prosperity when its possessor was being paid $30 per week. Now, when the income was shrunk to $20, though, they were thinking seriously of contracting to a modest and unassuming D. But whenever Mr. James Dillingham Young came home and reached his flat above he was called "Jim" and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young, already introduced to you as Della. Which is all very good.

Character and Plot Development in Fiction 1) Della and Jim lived in a poor neighborhood but aspired to move to a nicer one. 2) Della and Jim were deeply conscious of what other people thought of them. 3) Della and Jim believed that Jim’s salary would soon increase again. 4) Della and Jim loved each other despite their financial difficulties.

Character and Plot Development in Fiction Della and Jim loved each other despite their financial difficulties.

Character and Plot Development in Fiction Which type of conflict does Della face in O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi”? character versus society character versus machine character versus nature

Character and Plot Development in Fiction

Character and Plot Development in Fiction In O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi, " despite loving her long hair, Della cuts it and sells it. What motivated her to take this step? her selfless love for Jim her wish to change her looks her wish to break the monotony of her life her wish to buy a Christmas present for Jim her desire to imitate a friend

To understand what phrases are, read the following sentences: I need money. I need a small, affordable, easily maneuverable car. Focus on Language In the first sentence, the word money is a noun. In the second sentence, the underlined words act together as a noun, like the word money. A group of words that function as a noun or a verb is called a phrase.

Which phrases in this information about Medicare prescription drug coverage are noun phrases? Focus on Language Medicare offers prescription drug coverage to help senior citizens and others who need medical assistance get the prescription drugs they need, under Part D of the program (or Part C if you are enrolled in the Medicare Advantage Plan). The subset of the US poplutation with Medicare can join a drug plan to get this coverage. Not all Medicare drug plans are the same, however. Look for the “Medicare Approved” seal on drug discount cards to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Phrases are named for the function they perform: noun phrases, verb phrases, adjectival phrases, and adverbial phrases. In these examples, the phrases are underlined: noun phrase Focus on Language Only a few people understood what Dr. Bell said. verb phrase She has been singing at concerts for several years. adjectival phrase It was the most painfully embarrassing moment of his life. adverbial phrase We discussed the proposal for a very long time.

Adjectival and adverbial phrases often begin with prepositions. Phrases that begin with a preposition are generally called prepositional phrases. Focus on Language In these examples, prepositions are underlined and prepositional phrases are in bold: Throughout the summer, Helen prepared for the examination. (The adverbial phrase modifies the verb prepared. ) The guide drew our attention to a statue beside the monument. (The adjectival phrase qualifies the noun statue. )

In which two sentences do the underlined words represent prepositional phrases? Focus on Language The man in the house seemed to be asleep. The soldiers crept cautiously through the tunnel. Having been washed, Jim's dog seemed a little smaller than before. Their faces brightening, they thanked us for our offer. I was informed that the bus would arrive in 45 minutes.

Sometimes you'll come across an adjectival phrase that begins with a word in the -ed or -ing verb form. A participle is a past or present verb form functioning as an adjective. Phrases beginning with participles are participial phrases. Focus on Language In the following sentences, the highlighted phrases are participial phrases functioning as an adjective modifying a noun. The underlined words are participles: Having lived in New York for many years, O. Henry chose the city as the setting for many of his stories. Being an art enthusiast, she chose to visit the museum on the first day of her trip.

Which phrase in this excerpt from James Joyce's "Araby" are participial phrases? Focus on Language North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers' School set the boys free. An uninhabited house of two storeys stood at the blind end, detached from its neighbours in a square ground. The other houses of the street, conscious of decent lives within them, gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces. The former tenant of our house, a priest, had died in the back drawing-room. Air, musty from having been long enclosed, hung in all the rooms, and the waste room behind the kitchen was littered with old useless papers. Among these I found a few paper-covered books, the pages of which were curled and damp: The Abbot, by Walter Scott, The Devout Communicant and The Memoirs of Vidocq. I liked the last because its leaves were yellow.

Narrative Techniques in Fiction When the narrator is a character, the story is using first-person narration. The narrator refers to himself or herself with firstperson pronouns such as I, me, or myself. In third-person narration, the narrator is not part of the story. The narrator refers to all characters using third-person pronouns such as he, she, or they. The third-person narrator is defined by the voice of the text. To the reader, the narrator seems like an imaginary person telling the story.

Narrative Techniques in Fiction The literary term for different types of narration is “narrative modes. ” A narrative mode includes the narrator's voice as well as the person (first, second, or third). The term "narrative point of view" is sometimes used instead of "person. " A narrator who knows everything that is relevant to the story, including what goes on in all the characters' minds, is an omniscient narrator. A limited narrator, on the other hand, can narrate only what he or she can observe, plus the thoughts of a single character. A first-person narrator is, of course, limited to his or her own thoughts.

First-person narrators reveal their innermost thoughts to readers. Often, the reader easily relates to a firstperson narrator. Narrative Techniques in Fiction The third-person omniscient narrator gives an objective view of people and events in a story. The writer can show leaps in time or offer insight into events that affect many characters by using the thirdperson omniscient point of view. An author can combine third-person omniscient and third-person limited to let the readers know the unspoken thoughts of a single character. This technique allows the author to show events from a single perspective.

Which two statements correctly identify the effect that a switch in narration from third-person omniscient to third-person limited has on a story? Narrative Techniques in Fiction The switch in narration increases the proximity of the narrator to the main character. The true details about past and future events are more easily shown to the reader. The reader can perceive information only through the filter of a single character. The inner thoughts of all the characters are revealed to the reader by the narrator.

Narrative Techniques in Fiction

Narrative Techniques in Fiction Authors also use flashback and flash-forward techniques to manipulate the pacing of a work of fiction. These techniques can help a story slow down or quickly build up to the climax. The extent of the narrator’s knowledge plays an important part in what is revealed in the flashback and flash-forward parts of a story.

Which line in the following excerpt from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness indicate a flashback? He broke off. Flames glided in the river, small green flames, red flames, white flames, pursuing, overtaking, joining, crossing each other—then separating slowly or hastily. The traffic of the great city went on in the deepening night upon the sleepless river. We looked on, waiting patiently—there was nothing else to do till the end of the flood; but it was only after a long silence, when he said, in a hesitating voice, "I suppose you fellows remember I did once turn fresh-water sailor for a bit, " that we knew we were fated, before the ebb began to run, to hear about one of Marlow's inconclusive experiences.

Which line in the following excerpt from Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness indicate a flashback? He broke off. Flames glided in the river, small green flames, red flames, white flames, pursuing, overtaking, joining, crossing each other—then separating slowly or hastily. The traffic of the great city went on in the deepening night upon the sleepless river. We looked on, waiting patiently— there was nothing else to do till the end of the flood; but it was only after a long silence, when he said, in a hesitating voice, "I suppose you fellows remember I did once turn fresh-water sailor for a bit, " that we knew we were fated, before the ebb began to run, to hear about one of Marlow's inconclusive experiences.

Which two statements about first-person narration are generally true? Narrative Techniques in Fiction The narrator can be a witness or a reteller of events. The narrator always provides reliable information. The narrator accurately knows past and future events. The narrator is a character in the story. The narrator knows everything about all characters.

Which two traits can you infer about Mira in this excerpt from “Games at Twilight” by Anita Desai? The children, too, felt released. They too began tumbling, shoving, pushing against each other, frantic to start. Start what? Start their business. The business of the children’s day which is—play. “Let’s play hide-and-seek. ” “Who’ll be It? ” “You be It. ” Narrative Techniques in Fiction “Why should I? You be——” “You’re the eldest——” “That doesn’t mean——” The shoves became harder. Some kicked out. The motherly Mira intervened. She pulled the boys roughly apart. There was a tearing sound of cloth, but it was lost in the heavy panting and angry grumbling, and no one paid attention to the small sleeve hanging loosely off a shoulder. “Make a circle, make a circle!” she shouted, firmly pulling and pushing till a kind of vague circle was formed. “Now clap!” she roared, and, clapping, they all chanted in melancholy unison: “Dip, dip—my blue ship——” and every now and then one or the other saw he was safe by the way his hands fell at the crucial moment— palm on palm, or back of hand on palm—and dropped out of the circle with a yell and a jump of relief and jubilation. Mira is more mature than the other kids in the group. Mira is acting like a leader for the group of children. Mira is pushing around the other kids and hoping to win the game. Mira is arrogant and haughty and tries to disrupt the kids’ games.

Which mode of narration is used in this excerpt from Daisy Miller by Henry James? Narrative Techniques in Fiction The young lady inspected her flounces and smoothed her ribbons again; and Winterbourne presently risked an observation upon the beauty of the view. He was ceasing to be embarassed, for he had begun to perceive that she was not in the least embarrassed herself. There had not been the slightest alteration in her charming complexion; she was evidently neither offended nor flattered. If she looked another way when he spoke to her, and seemed not particularly to hear him, this was simply her habit, her manner. Yet, as he talked a little more and pointed out some of the objects of interest in the view, with which she appeared quite unacquainted, she gradually gave him more of the benefit of her glance; and then he saw that this glance was perfectly direct and unshrinking. It was not, however, what would have been called an immodest glance, for the young girl's eyes were singularly honest and fresh. They were wonderfully pretty eyes; and, indeed, Winterbourne had not seen for a long time anything prettier than his fair countrywoman's various features—her complexion, her nose, her ears, her teeth. He had a great relish for feminine beauty; he was addicted to observing and analyzing it; and as regards this young lady's face he made several observations. first person third-person omniscient second person third-person limited

Which narrative point of view is used in this excerpt from “Wakefield” by Nathaniel Hawthorne? Narrative Techniques in Fiction In some old magazine or newspaper I recollect a story, told as truth, of a man—let us call him Wakefield—who absented himself for a long time from his wife. The fact, thus abstractedly stated, is not very uncommon, nor, without a proper distinction of circumstances, to be condemned either as naughty or nonsensical. Howbeit, this, though far from the most aggravated, is perhaps the strangest instance on record of marital delinquency, and, moreover, as remarkable a freak as may be found in the whole list of human oddities. The wedded couple lived in London. The man, under pretence of going a journey, took lodgings in the next street to his own house, and there, unheard of by his wife or friends and without the shadow of a reason for such self-banishment, dwelt upward of twenty years. During that period he beheld his home every day, and frequently the forlorn Mrs. Wakefield. And after so great a gap in his matrimonial felicity—when his death was reckoned certain, his estate settled, his name dismissed from memory and his wife long, long ago resigned to her autumnal widowhood—he entered the door one evening quietly as from a day's absence, and became a loving spouse till death. second person first person, reteller third person, limited first person, protagonist

Which two points of view are used in this excerpt from “Games at Twilight” by Anita Desai? It then occurred to him that he could have slipped out long ago, dashed across the yard to the veranda, and touched the “den. ” It was necessary to do that to win. He had forgotten. He had only remembered the part of hiding and trying to elude the seeker. He had done that so successfully, his success had occupied him so wholly, that he had quite forgotten that success had to be clinched by that final dash to victory and the ringing cry of “Den!” Narrative Techniques in Fiction With a whimper he burst through the crack, fell on his knees, got up, and stumbled on stiff, benumbed legs across the shadowy yard, crying heartily by the time he reached the veranda so that when he flung himself at the white pillar and bawled, “Den!” his voice broke with rage and pity at the disgrace of it all, and he felt himself flooded with tears and misery. Out on the lawn, the children stopped chanting. They all turned to stare at him in amazement. Their faces were pale and triangular in the dusk. The trees and bushes around them stood inky and sepulchral, spilling long shadows across them. They stared, wondering at his reappearance, his passion, his wild animal howling. third-person omniscient second person third-person limited first person

Which narrative point of view is used in this excerpt from “The Lily’s Quest” by Nathaniel Hawthorne? Narrative Techniques in Fiction So one breezy and cloudless afternoon Adam Forrester and Lilias Fay set out upon a ramble over the wide estate which they were to possess together, seeking a proper site for their temple of happiness. They were themselves a fair and happy spectacle, fit priest and priestess for such a shrine, although, making poetry of the pretty name of Lilias, Adam Forrester was wont to call her "Lily" because her form was as fragile and her cheek almost as pale. As they passed hand in hand down the avenue of drooping elms that led from the portal of Lilias Fay's paternal mansion they seemed to glance like winged creatures through the strips of sunshine, and to scatter brightness where the deep shadows fell. first person second person third-person omniscient third-person limited

In this excerpt from Anita Desai’s short story “Games at Twilight, ” which lines suggest that the children had completely forgotten about Ravi? With a whimper he burst through the crack, fell on his knees, got up, and stumbled on stiff, benumbed legs across the shadowy yard, crying heartily by the time he reached the veranda so that when he flung himself at the white pillar and bawled, “Den!” his voice broke with rage and pity at the disgrace of it all, and he felt himself flooded with tears and misery. Narrative Techniques in Fiction Out on the lawn, the children stopped chanting. They all turned to stare at him in amazement. Their faces were pale and triangular in the dusk. The trees and bushes around them stood inky and sepulchral, spilling long shadows across them. They stared, wondering at his reappearance, his passion, his wild animal howling. Their mother rose from her basket chair and came toward him, worried, annoyed, saying, “Stop it, stop it, Ravi. Don’t be a baby. Have you hurt yourself? ” Seeing him attended to, the children went back to clasping their hands and chanting, “The grass is green, the rose is red. . ” But Ravi would not let them. He tore himself out of his mother’s grasp and pounded across the lawn into their midst, charging at them with his head lowered so that they scattered in surprise. “I won, ” he bawled, shaking his head so that the big tears flew. “Raghu didn’t find me. I won, I won——” It took them a minute to grasp what he was saying, even who he was. They had quite forgotten him. Raghu had found all the others long ago. There had been a fight about who was to be It next. It had been so fierce that their mother had emerged from her bath and made them change to another game. Then they had played another and another. Broken mulberries from the tree and eaten them. Helped the driver wash the car when their father returned from work. Helped the gardener water the beds till he roared at them and swore he would complain to their parents. The parents had come out, taken up their positions on the cane chairs. They had begun to play again, sing and chant. All this time no one had remembered Ravi. Having disappeared from the scene, he had disappeared from their minds. Clean.

With Raghu in pursuit of the other kids, the innocent game of hide and seek in Anita Desai's "Games at Twilight" almost resembles a hunt. Which parts of this excerpt make the game sound like a hunt? Narrative Techniques in Fiction Only small Manu suddenly reappeared, as if he had dropped out of an invisible cloud or from a bird’s claws, and stood for a moment in the center of the yellow lawn, chewing his finger and near to tears as he heard Raghu shouting, with his head pressed against the veranda wall, “Eighty-three, eighty-five, eighty-nine, ninety. . . ” and then made off in a panic, half of him wanting to fly north, the other half counseling south. Raghu turned just in time to see the flash of his white shorts and the uncertain skittering of his red sandals, and charged after him with such a bloodcurdling yell that Manu stumbled over the hosepipe, fell into its rubber coils, and lay there weeping, “I won’t be It—you have to find them all—All!” “I know I have to, idiot, ” Raghu said, superciliously kicking him with his toe. “You’re dead, ” he said with satisfaction, licking the beads of perspiration off his upper lip, and then stalked off in search of worthier prey, whistling spiritedly so that the hiders should hear and tremble. Ravi heard the whistling and picked his nose in a panic, trying to find comfort by burrowing the finger deep—deep into that soft tunnel. He felt himself too exposed, sitting on an upturned flowerpot behind the garage. Where could he burrow? He could run around the garage if he heard Raghu come—around and around—but he hadn’t much faith in his short legs when matched against Raghu’s long, hefty, hairy footballer legs. Ravi had a frightening glimpse of them as Raghu combed the hedge of crotons and hibiscus, trampling delicate ferns underfoot as he did so. Ravi looked about him desperately, swallowing a small ball of snot in his fear.

Which lines in this passage are a flashback? Narrative Techniques in Fiction Helen stood at one end of the room taking in all the activity; Rupert and Phoebe danced to the loud music that drowned all other voices. Food, friends, music—how they brought people together. She thought of her last day in middle school, seven years ago, when Sarah had given her an i. Pod. She had felt ecstatic that day when she realized she would be able to listen to her favorite songs and fend off comments from her cousins about how little she knew about music. She smiled as she drew out the envelope from her clutch. Tomorrow at this time she would be performing solo at the Royal Hall of Music; she could almost hear the thunderous applause. The music stopped and Phoebe called out her name. Helen almost dropped the envelope as she walked up to congratulate Phoebe.

A literary symbol is something that has a deeper meaning than what its surface meaning suggests. Symbolism in Fiction A symbol can take various forms. It could be a person, object, situation, or action, as long as it’s something that conveys multiple meanings beyond its obvious literal meaning. While a symbol has a concrete, literal meaning, the idea it communicates is often abstract. It’s something we can’t touch because it exists solely in thought.

Symbolism in Fiction A white dove has long been considered a symbol of peace by people around the world. Similarly, red roses are popular symbols of love. The color red itself is also considered a symbol of love, as is reflected in Valentine’s Day celebrations.

Universal symbols, also called cultural symbols, are general ideas that are familiar to people within a culture. These symbols also occur quite extensively in literature. Symbolism in Fiction For example, an egg is often considered a symbol of rebirth; whereas night, with its vast darkness, is considered a sign of death. In his poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, " for example, Robert Frost uses the image of a dark forest to symbolize death. Water is another recurring symbol that suggests life. For example, if a character stranded in a desert sees the mirage of a lake, the reader can infer that it represents life. In the Judeo-Christian culture, a snake symbolizes temptation and treachery.

Symbolism is somewhat similar to other examples of figurative language, such as similes and metaphors, which can relate concrete objects and intangible ideas. Symbolism in Fiction However, there are some key differences. With metaphors and similes, an object represents or is compared to something else that the author directly mentions, while an author does not explicitly mention an object's symbolic meaning. Only its literal meaning is presented directly.

"The bud of our friendship was yet to bloom, " the word bud is a metaphor for a potential friendship, which is mentioned directly. Symbolism in Fiction Here is the same sentence with a simile: "Our friendship was like a bud that was yet to bloom. " Again, bud is compared to friendship, which is also a word in the sentence. In contrast, when an author uses buds as a symbol, you won't see a word that directly tells you what the bud symbolizes. You'll have to figure that out for yourself.

Which literary device is used in this sentence from James Joyce’s “Araby”? But my body was like a harp and her words and gestures were like fingers running upon the wires. Symbolism in Fiction motif metaphor hyperbole simile

To connect symbols to meaning, readers pay attention to patterns. Symbolism in Fiction One of the most prominent ways in which authors bring out symbolic meaning is through repetition. When an author repeats a symbol, that symbol becomes a motif, which is simply an idea that recurs in a given piece of work. For example, in Moby-Dick, the whale’s whiteness, which Ishmael considers unnatural, becomes a motif, repeated in the text. It symbolizes chaos and incomprehension, and it indicates Ishmael’s failure to fully understand the gigantic creature.

Authors also use emphasis to develop symbolic meaning. Again this is evident in Moby-Dick, where Melville accentuates certain details of the whale, as in this excerpt: Symbolism in Fiction All that most maddens and torments; all that stirs up the lees of things; all truth with malice in it; all that cracks the sinews and cakes the brain; all the subtle demonisms of life and thought; all evil, to crazy Ahab, were visibly personified, and made practically assailable in Moby Dick. He piled upon the whale's white hump the sum of all the general rage and hate felt by his whole race from Adam down; and then, as if his chest had been a mortar, he burst his hot heart's shell upon it.

Which of these techniques do writers employ to draw a reader's attention to symbols in their stories? making direct statements about characters or events Symbolism in Fiction repeating objects throughout a text putting particular emphasis on an object in a story providing many conceptual meanings for the same literal object

In James Joyce's "Araby, " the narrator uses light and dark imagery to set the tone and mood of the story and also to describe the nature of life on the street on which he lived. Symbolism in Fiction Which word from this excerpt indicates the street’s dead-end location and its dullness? North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers' School set the boys free. An uninhabited house of two storeys stood at the blind end, detached from its neighbours in a square ground. The other houses of the street, conscious of decent lives within them, gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces.

What symbolism is found in this excerpt from James Joyce's "Araby"? Symbolism in Fiction North Richmond Street, being blind, was a quiet street except at the hour when the Christian Brothers' School set the boys free. An uninhabited house of two storeys stood at the blind end, detached from its neighbours in a square ground. The other houses of the street, conscious of decent lives within them, gazed at one another with brown imperturbable faces. The boys being set free symbolizes them being free from the rules of the church. The uninhabited house represents the narrator's feeling of emptiness. The blind street symbolizes the aimless and drab life on North Richmond Street. The consciousness of decent lives symbolizes a comparison of neighbors' lives.

Symbols help readers understand the larger themes of a story. One of the major themes of Joyce’s “Araby” is the urge to escape the monotony of daily life. Which symbol in the story contributes most to this theme, and why? Symbolism in Fiction the bazaar because it represents the inaccessible land of freedom to the narrator Mangan’s sister because she represents domesticity and routine to the narrator the marketplace because it represents the suburban lifestyle to the narrator the church because it represents spiritual healing and renewal to the narrator

Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick is an American classic filled with symbolic meaning. One of the most important symbols in the story is the white whale Moby Dick. There are various interpretations of what the whale represents. Based on the following excerpt, what is one interpretation of Moby Dick as a symbol in the novel? Symbolism in Fiction And now, while both elastic gunwales were springing in and out, as the whale dallied with the doomed craft in this devilish way; and from his body being submerged beneath the boat, he could not be darted at from the bows, for the bows were almost inside of him, as it were; and while the other boats involuntarily paused, as before a quick crisis impossible to withstand, then it was that monomaniac Ahab, furious with this tantalizing vicinity of his foe, which placed him all alive and helpless in the very jaws he hated; frenzied with all this, he seized the long bone with his naked hands, and wildly strove to wrench it from its gripe. As now he thus vainly strove, the jaw slipped from him; the frail gunwales bent in, collapsed, and snapped, as both jaws, like an enormous shears, sliding further aft, bit the craft completely in twain, and locked themselves fast again in the sea, midway between the two floating wrecks. These floated aside, the broken ends drooping, the crew at the stern-wreck clinging to the gunwales, and striving to hold fast to the oars to lash them across. the desperation of a trapped animal the uncontrollable power of nature the difference between mankind and wildlife the conquering impulse of mankind

In Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, the image of the mockingbird carries great symbolic weight. Based on the following excerpt, what could the mockingbird symbolize? Symbolism in Fiction Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don't eat up people's gardens, don't nest in corncribs, they don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird. The mockingbird symbolizes the beauty of music because it gives immense pleasure to people through its melodious singing. The mockingbird symbolizes the softer side of nature, because unlike most wild creatures, it doesn’t harm human habitat. The mockingbird symbolizes life that should be preserved for the nonmaterial value it provides people through its singing. The mockingbird symbolizes the aesthetic beauty of nature because it lifts the moods of people by singing its heart out.

Based on the following excerpt, in what way does the fur piece serve as a contextual symbol for Miss Brill in Katherine Mansfield’s short story “Miss Brill”? Just at that moment a boy and girl came and sat down where the old couple had been. They were beautifully dressed; they were in love. The hero and heroine, of course, just arrived from his father's yacht. And still soundlessly singing, still with that trembling smile, Miss Brill prepared to listen. "No, not now, " said the girl. "Not here, I can't. " Symbolism in Fiction "But why? Because of that stupid old thing at the end there? " asked the boy. "Why does she come here at all —who wants her? Why doesn't she keep her silly old mug at home? " "It's her fu-ur which is so funny, " giggled the girl. "It's exactly like a fried whiting*. " "Ah, be off with you!" said the boy in an angry whisper. Then: "Tell me, ma petite chère–" "No, not here, " said the girl. "Not yet. " *whiting: a kind of fish The girl's ridicule of Miss Brill's fur piece is symbolic of the way Miss Brill chooses to not be a part of society. The girl's comparison of the fur piece to fried fish symbolizes Miss Brill's "fried" or depressed state of mind. Because the fur piece is a dead animal that is likened to a fish, it becomes a symbol that negatively reflects Miss Brill. Because the boy and girl can’t understand why someone would wear fur, it shows that others have a difficult time relating to Miss Brill.

Read this line from James Joyce's "Araby. " Based on the context in which it appears, identify the correct synonym of the word amiability. Symbolism in Fiction I watched my master's face pass from amiability to sternness; he hoped I was not beginning to idle. agreeableness joviality generosity humor sadness

In what way does the following line from James Joyce's "Araby" contribute to the symbolism of the story? She was waiting for us, her figure defined by the light from the halfopened door. Symbolism in Fiction Mangan's sister's attractive figure symbolizes the better life the narrator expects when he is older and has escaped his dark neighborhood. The light mentioned here works symbolically with the "half-opened door" motif to suggest the narrator's confusion about what path to take in life. Mangan's sister is associated with light in the story's imagery because she is part of the narrator's hopes for a greater life. The partial light reflects the sense of balance that the narrator seeks but finds missing in his "blind" street and dark neighborhood. Mangan's sister, who is half-cloaked in light, symbolizes the dark buildings and bright lights of the enchanting East.