L.4 Analyzing Stories and Drama

• English
• 8th Grade

L.4 Analyzing Stories and Drama

Introduction

The plot of a story is like a roadmap that takes the reader from point A to point B. In every story there is movement or change; without such changes, there's no story. Every story, of course, is different, and there are many kinds of changes that affect how a story proceeds. A character can experience change both physically and mentally. These changes can be brought about by the actions or influence of other characters, and the changes may be deliberate or unintended, sudden or prolonged. These changes, in turn, can cause a shift in the reader's perception. For example, a character may seem to be insensitive and mean, but the reader later realizes that he is actually gentle and kind.

Read the summary of the O. Henry classic short story, The Gift of the Magi.

Della had only $1.87 in spite of having saved every penny she could. She broke down in tears. She broke down in tears, realizing that she could not buy her husband Jim a Christmas gift. Della pulls herself together, puts on her shabby jacket, and goes out. 

She sees a sign in a window that says: Hair Goods of All Kinds. Della shows the shopkeeper her beautiful long hair, which her husband loves, and is offered $20 for it. She feels relieved and hopeful as she sets about to find the perfect gift for Jim-a chain for his precious pocket watch. When Jim sees Della's new hairstyle, he is dumfounded, but he reassures her of his love. He shows her the gift he has managed to buy her- a set of tortoise shell combs for her hair-which he paid for by selling his pocket watch.

PLOT	ACTION	CHANGE
Della cries because she has only $1.87 from her thrift and penny-pinching not enough to buy Jim a present.
Della sets out to find the perfect gift for her husband.		She feels relieved and hopeful.
Jim is puzzled when he sees Della's new hairstyle.	Jim has sold his pocket watch in order to buy Della a gift.

He feels upset that Della can no longer use the tortoise shell combs for her hair.

Della find a store that will buy her hair for $20.

Della finds the perfect chain for Jim's pocket watch.

Della sets out to find a way to buy a gift for Jim.

Focused Instruction: excerpt from A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde

CAST: LORD ILLINGWORTH, GERALD ARBUTHNOT,  LADY HUNSTANTON

Act 3, scene 1

The Picture Gallery at Hunstanton. Door at the back leading onto terrace. LORD ILLINGWORTH lolling on a sofa. GERALD in a chair.

LORD ILLINGWORTH: Thoroughly sensible woman, your mother, Gerald. I knew she would come round in the end.

GERALD: My mother is awfully conscientious, Lord Illingworth, and I know she doesn't think I am educated enough to be your secretary. She is perfectly right, too. I was fearfully idle when I was at school, and I couldn't pass an examination now to save my life.

Continued.....

LORD ILLINGWORTH: My dear Gerald, examinations are of no value whatsoever. If a man is a gentleman, he knows quite enough, and if he is not a gentleman, whatever he knows is bad for him. 

GERALD: But I am so ignorant of the world, Lord Illingworth.

LORD ILLINGWORTH: Don't be afraid, Gerald. Remember that you've got on your side the most wonderful thing in the world--youth! There is nothing like youth. The middle-aged are mortgaged to life. The old are in life's lumber-room. But youth is the Lord of Life. Youth has a kingdom waiting for it. Everyone is born a king, and most people die in exile, like most kings. To win back my youth, Gerald, there is nothing I wouldn't do--except take exercise, get up early, or be a useful member of the community...

Think about it...

What do you know about the characters from the conversations between Gerald and Lord Illingworth? In the excerpt, there isn't any action, but the dialogue shows the relationship between Gerald and Lord Illingworth and reveals their attitudes.

On the next 4 slides, read each piece of the dialogue and tell me what it tells you about the character who is speaking.

LORD ILLINGWORTH: Thoroughly sensible woman, your mother, Gerald. I knew she would come round in the end.

LORD ILLINGWORTH: If a man is a gentleman, he knows quite enough, and if he is not a gentleman, whatever he knows is bad for him.

GERALD: But I am so ignorant of the world, Lord Illingworth.

GERALD: My mother is awfully conscientious, Lord Illingworth, and I know she doesn't think I am educated enough to be your secretary.

In a few sentences, write what you can detect about the plot and background from this part of the excerpt.

How do you feel about your understanding of today's concepts?
Character traits and plot.

I fully understand.

Sorta, but I need more help.

I do not understand and would like more instruction.