Unit 1 - The Art of Suspense - 6th Grade Review

What is the main external conflict of "Button, Button"?

The conflict between Norma and Arthur over whether to press the button—Norma sees it as financial gain, while Arthur views it as immoral murder (man vs. man).

What is the climax of "Button, Button"?

Norma decides to open the button unit and press the button without telling Arthur.

What chilling lesson does Mr. Steward's final question deliver to Norma in "Button, Button"?

That she did not truly know her husband because her greed made him a "stranger" to her.

How does the author use third-person point of view to create suspense in "Button, Button"?

By focusing exclusively on Norma's internal thoughts and growing obsession, the reader is kept unaware of how disconnected she truly is from Arthur until the final revelation.

What is the exposition of "Ruthless"?

Judson, Marcia, and Alec; October in the woods in a cabin; Judson wants to catch a thief who is stealing his liquor.

What is the rising action of "Ruthless"?

Judson puts rat poison in his whiskey bottle, but Marcia argues with him that what he's doing is wrong. He then walks outside to get his hunting boots on the porch.

What is the climax of "Ruthless"?

Judson steps on an acorn, falls, and is knocked unconscious.

What is the falling action of "Ruthless"?

Alec finds Judson and helps him regain consciousness.

What is the resolution of "Ruthless"?

Alec gives Judson the poisoned whiskey, and Judson is expected to die.

What is the purpose of the character Marcia as she relates to Judson in "Ruthless"?

Marcia represents a moral compass and believes the punishment should fit the crime, which emphasizes how Judson is cold, ruthless, and obsessed with total control.

What does the narrator struggle with throughout "Lather and Nothing Else"?

The narrator struggles with the moral dilemma of whether to kill Captain Torres, who is in his barber's chair, or to remain true to his profession and values.

In "Lather and Nothing Else", what plot twist occurs in the resolution, and what does this reveal about Captain Torres?

The plot twist reveals that Captain Torres is aware of the narrator's internal struggle and has come to the barber shop intentionally, showcasing his confidence.

What is a summary of "Lather and Nothing Else"?

A barber (who is a secret rebel) is faced with the choice of killing a military man he hates while he is in his chair, ultimately choosing to let him live because of his integrity and honor as a barber.

How do Mary and her husband treat each other differently in "Lamb to the Slaughter"?

Mary enjoys caring for her husband and simply being around him. Patrick is cold toward her and only speaks one-word answers not showing any kind of love.

What is the climax of "Lamb to the Slaughter"?

Mary makes the decision to cover up her crime in order to save her unborn child.

When Mary says, "Patrick's decided he's tired and doesn't want to eat out tonight," what type of irony is this?

This is dramatic irony because we know Mary actually killed Patrick but the other characters do not.

How does Detective Noonan's comment about the murder weapon affect Mary's actions?

His comment causes Mary to distract the detectives from their search for the murder weapon.

What is suspense?

A feeling of excitement or anxious uncertainty about what may happen next in a story

What is conflict?

A struggle between opposing forces, which drives the plot of a story

What are the 6 types of conflict?

man vs. man, man vs. self (internal!), man vs. society, man vs. nature, man vs. supernatural, and man vs. technology

What is plot?

The sequence of events that make up a story

What is exposition?

The introduction of characters, setting, and conflict at the beginning of a story

What is rising action?

The series of events that lead up to the climax, building tension and developing the conflict

What is climax?

The most intense, exciting, or important point of a story, often resulting in a turning point, a decision, or a change; it usually connects to the conflict

What is falling action?

The events that follow the climax and lead to the resolution of the story

What is resolution?

The conclusion of a story where the narrative comes to a close

What is irony?

The difference between what we expect to happen and what actually happens

What is verbal irony?

When what the character says is the opposite of what the character means

What is situational irony?

When a situation's outcome is different than what is expected

What is dramatic irony?

When the reader knows something that the character does not