Short Stories Review

Mrs. Bertha Flowers

The aristocrat of Black Stamps who serves as a mentor to Marguerite.

Mrs. Flowers Point of View

The story is told in first person, as indicated by the use of 'I' and 'me.'

Importance of Language according to Mrs. Flowers

Language is crucial because it is 'the man’s way of communicating with his fellow man.' (2) It differentiates humans from animals.

Effect of Language on Identity (Mrs. Flowers)

Choice of words reveals something about a person, reflecting their true nature and character.

Difference between Illiteracy and Ignorance (Mrs. Flowers)

Illiteracy is a lack of education, while ignorance is a choice to remain unaware.

Marguerite's Change (Mrs. Flowers)

By the end of the story, Marguerite feels seen and liked, marking her emotional growth.

How does the setting in the Ninny effect the story?

It wouldn’t make any sense and the guy yelling at Yulia Vasilyevna would not have as much authority if it was not in his study. 

Inciting incident in the Ninny

When he said, “We agreed to give you thirty rubles a month, didn’t we?” and she corrected him and said “Forty.” This is because it is the first moment of conflict between them. 

Climax in the Ninny

When he jumped up and started pacing the room angrily, and then asks her why she said merci. This is because after that the story goes in a different direction and he is now upset because she didn’t stand up for herself.  

Setting of the Possibility of Evil

A little town that Miss Strangeworth lives in. Based off hints in the clue, it is a lovely summer day.

The climax in the Possibility of Evil

When Miss Strangeworth drops the letter and the Harris boy picks it up, which leads to him figuring out that she is the one who is sending all the rude anonymous letters. This is the turning point because no one has figured out who she is yet, which causes the story to go in a different direction. 

Significance of Miss Strangeworth’s name (POE)

Miss Strangeworth’s name is significant because she is talked highly of throughout the town. Everyone knows her to be a sweet old lady, but she is rude and likes to cause disturbances.

Significance of Miss Strangeworth’s roses (POE)

To her they are like family. Her grandma planted them, her mother took care of them, and now it is up to her. The fact that she is not married and does not have any kids must make her feel a bit lonely, but the roses make up for that as they are sacred to her and her ancestors. 

Significance of Miss Strangeworth’s colour of envelopes and writing paper (POE)

She uses coloured paper because most people use it for odd, informal notes, which is exactly what she is doing. She is mailing out anonymous letters, but in a traditional, formal, letter you have to sign your name.

POV of the Possibility of Evil

Third person limited as we mainly only get to see Miss Strangeworth’s pov, but near the end we also read a bit about Linda and Dave.

How does POV effect the story (POE)

Helps the reader understand a lot about Miss Strangeworth’s character. The story would be confusing near the end if it was written in first person because we wouldn’t know that Dave picked up the letter and found out who sent the anonymous letters. 

What details suggest the Beggar is stuck in the past? (AMWHNE)

He keeps using his story from 14 years ago to make money.

What type of irony is found at the end of the story? (AMWHNE)

Situational irony because we would not have expected Mr. Parsons to be the one who was trampled. We also did not expect him to be blind.

Theme of AMWHNE

The theme of the story is that even though you may go through tuff things, you can come out even better than before.

The setting in Lather and Nothing Else

This story takes place in a barber shop, during the day, possibly between 11:00am-3:00pm, because they were saying it is “hot as hell”, and the hottest part of the day is usually 12. This also happens when some group the barber is part of is being hunted by military forces.

Inciting incident of Lather and Nothing Else

When Captain Torres walks in and immediately after seeing him the barber feels tense. 

Why is the climax the moment when the barber says the title’s name? (LANE)

This is the turning point of when the barber fully decides not to kill Captain Torres. He does not think it is worth it and it is not what he wants to do. 

What does the title mean in Lather and Nothing Else?

The barber only wants lather and nothing else to stain him. If he killed the captain then he would be stained with his blood, and that is not what he wants. He cannot justify murdering someone else enough, so he must focus on doing his job, no matter his intrusive thoughts. 

Introduction

• setting

• character

Inciting incident

First moment of conflict 

Rising Action

Series of conflicts 

Climax

The turning point (where the story changes direction)

Falling Action

Ties up loose ends

Conclusion

Can be combined with the falling action, and as short as one sentence

Setting

The time and the place. Can be very specific, or very vague.

Mood

A feeling that the writer creates due to the setting, imagery, and details. Authors appeal to sight most of all. They still write to appeal to your other senses, but they usually target sight. 

Imagery

When authors appeal to the readers senses

Characterization

Characterization is revealed in 4 ways: 

1 – What a person says   2 – What a person does

3 – What other people say   4 – What the narrator reveals

Conflict

Conflict is the opposition faced by the main character, also known as the protagonist. If it is a person opposing the main character, he/she is known as the antagonist. 

Types of conflict:

1 – Person vs. Person  2 – Person vs. Self  3 – Person vs. Nature

4 – Person vs. Society  5 – Person vs. Technology  6 – Person vs. Fate

Theme

The main idea or message behind a story. 

For example, the power of friendship can carry you through hard times. 

Point of view (narration)

There are 3 types of narration used in short stories, 

1 – First Person 

2 – Third Person Limited 

3 – Third Person Omniscient 

First Person

The narrator tells a personal account of his/her life. Personal pronouns (I, me, we, our) are used. They are a character in the story. Ex. To Kill a Mockingbird 

Third person limited

The narrator only knows the thoughts and feelings of one character in the story. The narrator is not a character within the story. Ex. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 

Third person omniscient

The narrator knows the thoughts and feelings of all characters in the story. The narrator is not a character within the story. Ex. The Fellowship of the Ring 

Foreshadowing

Foreshadowing is a narrative device that makes warnings, suggestions and clues about what will happen in the story. Often the reader does not notice foreshadowing until the second reading of the story. 

Verbal Irony

When a speaker says something but means the opposite. It is a form of expression in which the literal meaning of a word or statement is different from its intended meaning. (sarcasm) 

Dramatic Irony

When the audience or reader knows something that the characters in the story do not. This creates tension or humour, as the audience anticipates the consequences of the characters’ actions based on information they are unaware of. 

Situational Irony

When there is a contrast between what is expected to happen and what actually occurs. It involves a discrepancy between the intended outcome and result. 

Symbolism

Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent  

In literature, symbolism is the use of any person, situation, or object to represent an idea of some sort.