ELA test 11/15

short story

brief, imaginative narrative containing few characters, a simple plot, conflict, and suspense

suspense

A feeling of excitement, curiosity, or expectation about what will happen.

false

true or false: a short story can NOT be read in one sitting

plot, setting, characters, theme

what are the 4 elements?

plot

chain of events in a story: introduction/exposition, inciting incident, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution

introduction

setting, basic situation, characters involved, question/statement that grabs the readers attention

inciting incident

The first major action in the story that sets the story in motion

rising action

incidents that carry the plot along. includes foreshadowing, flashback, conflict, and suspense

Foreshadowing

a technique for hinting to events that may occur later in the plot

flashback

the insertion of an earlier event into the normal chronological order of a narrative

herbert

son of the whites in the monkeys paw; works with heavy machinery, died while doing his job, comes back later as a corpse

mrs. white

Herbert's mother. She is an intelligent and passionate woman. She shares her husband's and son's fascination with Sergeant-Major Morris's stories and questions him just as eagerly as they do. She is lovingly attentive to her husband and son, although she also enjoys teasing them. Herbert's death traumatizes Her, and she forces Mr. White to wish Herbert back to life.

Mr. White

Herbert's father.He is an old man who is both curious and malleable. A poor man, he thinks longingly about the exotic lands he has never visited. The monkey's paw fascinates him in part because of its connection to those lands. Although it is He who makes all three wishes, he makes the first two only at the suggestions of his wife and son.

Sergeant-Major Morris

A friend of the Whites. A mysterious and possibly sinister figure, enjoys talking about his adventures abroad and shows the Whites his monkey's paw, in spite of his professed reservations. A jaded and world-weary man, he discourages Mr. White from dreaming of India, suggesting that life is better and simpler at home in England. He throws the monkey's paw into the fire and urges Mr. White not to make any wishes, but he ultimately tells him exactly how to make a wish.

Sherlock Holmes

A private detective and the story's protagonist. His keen observations and ability to reason allow him to solve puzzles that stymie everyone else. Sometimes quiet and contemplative, other times bursting with energy, uses methodology that can confuse and frustrate others. He is somewhat of a mystery, rarely divulging his thoughts until he's already solved the crime.

Dr. John Watson

Sherlock Holmes's partner and the story's narrator. Good-natured, brave, and down-to-earth, Watson is Sherlock Holmes's sidekick, even though he rarely helps Holmes actually solve any mysteries. His confusion with the mysteries and Holmes often mirrors readers' own confusion.

early 1800; italy

cask of amontillado setting

montressor

main character in cast of amontillado; killed Fortunato; narrorator

climax

character solves his/her struggles, highest point of interest in the story, point of highest emotion, can be subjective

falling action

completes the action of his/her decision

resolution

final working of the story's conflict

narrative twist

surprise ending

setting

the time and place of the action, helps create the mood

Atmosphere

the feeling that the setting gives off

mood

Feeling or atmosphere that a writer creates for the reader

characters

any person, animal, or figure represented in a literary work; usually less than 6 in a short story

protagonist

usually "good guy" or hero (not always), main character, strives to solve the conflict

Antagonist

"bad guy" villain (not always), creates conflict for the main character

secondary characters

other characters who are necessary to moving the plot along, but may not be involved with the central conflict

character traits

The qualities that make up a character's personality

theme

Central idea of a work of literature, main idea (universal truths), message the other is conveying

theme

may contain a message, not all shorts stories have one

fortunato

also was a main character in the cask of amontillado; was an alcoholic; would do anything for fine wine; was killed by montressor by being left in the bottom catacomb

luchesi

Fortunato's rival in wine tasting in the cask of amontillado

Jabez Wilson

A London pawnbroker; an average man whose only remarkable feature is his shock of fiery red hair. His slow and trusting nature prevents him from seeing anything suspicious about either Vincent Spaulding or the preposterous Red-Headed League.

John Clay

A notorious criminal working at Jabez Wilson's pawnshop under the pseudonym Vincent Spaulding. Sinister and haughty, wins the respect of Sherlock Holmes because of his ingenious plot to rob the City and Suburban Bank.

Peter Jones

A Scotland Yard detective; a tough police officer who both respects and distrusts Sherlock Holmes.

Mr. Merryweather

The manager of the City and Suburban Bank.

Duncan Ross (Archie)

John Clay's partner in crime; his red hair prompts John Clay to devise the Red-Headed League to lure Wilson out of his pawnshop for four hours every day.

external conflict

a problem or struggle between a character and someone or something outside of the character

internal conflict

A struggle between opposing needs, desires, or emotions within a single character

direct characterization

The author directly states a character's traits

indirect characterization

The character is revealed through their personality, appearance, words, actions, and effect on others

:)

*know plot, themes, external/internal conflicts, and direct/indirect characterization for each story*