O. Henry, Vonnegut, Poe, Bradbury

Novel: contains story elements including protagonist, conflict, obstacles, resolution Contains subplots and several central events Short Story: 1,000 – 20,000 words Contains story elements but plot is mostly building up to one central event; no subplots Flash fiction: a ‘short’ short story that does contain all story elements; however, some of it must be implied because of shorter word length Vignette : does not contain story elements

O. Henry

aka William Sydney Porter September 11, 1862-June 5, 1910 Short stories with a twist Wordplay and characterization American Influenced by life in New York City

Who is ‘Red Chief’? Who is ‘Snake-Eye’? Describe both characters. Who is the narrator? What is Johnny doing when we first meet him? How do his actions foreshadow the trouble he makes for his kidnappers? What are some humorous parts in the story? Explain how O. Henry uses irony in this story to convey humor to the reader. O. Henry’ short stories are famous for their plot twists and surprise endings. Describe the twist in this story.

Explain the personification present in The Last Leaf. What symbolizes Johnsy’s waning will to live? What is Mr. Behrman’s masterpiece? O. Henry’s short stories are famous for their twist endings. Describe the twist ending in The Last Leaf.

Kurt Vonnegut

 20 th century American writer  Genre: novel/short story, satire/dark humor/science fiction  Soldier & POW in Dresden  Slaughterhouse-Five, Breakfast of Champions, Cat’s Cradle

 Audio Book Audio Book  Takes place in the future, year 2081  Everyone is finally equal  No one is extraordinary

 2081 Trailer 2081 Trailer  Film Film

 With your partner(s), come to a consensus: What is individuality? Are the people in “Harrison Bergeron” really ‘finally equal’? Can we ever actually be completely equal? Is saying everyone is special just another way of saying nobody’s special? Is saying everyone is special just another way of saying nobody’s special?

 Create a two-column list that identifies how an individual could be above average and the handicap that would nullify this ability or quality Above Average Quality/Ability Handicap that Nullifies BeautyWear a mask Physical StrengthWear heavy and cumbersome weights

 In 2081, the government has issued the 211 th, 212 th, and 213 th Amendments that have finally made everyone equal. Adopting the language of the Constitution, write one of these Amendments in the language of our Constitution:  You should also include a list of specific handicaps and which attributes they are meant to diminish. “AMENDMENT XV Passed by Congress February 26, Ratified February 3, Section 1. The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude-- Section 2. The Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”

 Between the five short stories we have read (The Masque of the Red Death, The Last Leaf, The Ransom of Red Chief, Those Three Wishes, and Harrison Bergeron) write about which one was your favorite and why  For your explanation, refer specifically to the text at least three times  OPTIONAL: Sketch in your notebook a possible cover design for the short story

 Discuss your favorite short story, why you chose that story, share your various examples  For all five stories, write in your notes: Author and something about the author 3-5 sentence synopsis Character list Setting Literary element

 Get into groups according to favorite short story  First discuss why you chose that story and share your various examples  Come up with a literary element example  Then, discuss the other three short stories and come up with an example of a literary element from each  Each group member should record the literary elements in their notes

Poe

Edgar Allan Poe Orphan Married his 13 year old cousin Cause of death unknown Gothic genre: death, macabre

Vocabulary 1.August (adj): inspiring reverence or admiration; dignified; majestic 2.Dauntless (adj): not easily intimidated; fearless 3.Eccentric (adj): deviating from the norm; odd 4.Impetuous (adj): liable to act without consideration; rash; impulsive 5.Sagacious (adj): having acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; wise

Pop Culture Vocab For each adjective, come up with one pop culture figure that embodies the meaning of the word. Write a short sentence that contains an appositive to demonstrate the meaning of the adjective. Example: Lady Gaga, a raw meat-wearing pop star, is eccentric

Pop Culture Vocab For ONE adjective, come up with one pop culture figure that embodies the meaning of the word. Write a short sentence that contains an appositive to demonstrate the meaning of the adjective. Example: Lady Gaga, a raw meat-wearing pop star, is eccentric

Color Associations For each color, come up with as many associations as you can. The associations could be words, feelings, or ideas – Blue, purple, green, orange, white, violet, black, red

The Masque of the Red Death

BLUE

PURPLE

GREEN

ORANGE

WHITE

VIOLET

BLACK/RED

Allegory: symbolic representation of ideas or concepts through literal terms LiteralFigurative (Symbolic of …)

Allegory: representation of ideas or concepts through literal terms LiteralFigurative (Symbolic of …)

Writing Activity Write Prince Prospero’s Obituary – A news article that reports the recent death of a person, along with an account of the person’s life, and information about the upcoming funeral Prince Prospero Epitaph – A short text honoring a deceased person, usually written in poetic verse, sometimes written as a warning to the reader

Famous Epitaphs Shakespeare: – Good friend for Jesus sake forbear, to dig the dust enclosed here. Blessed by the man that spares these stones, And cursed be he that moves my bones. Martin Luther King, Jr – "Free at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty I'm Free At Last." Anna Hopewell – Here lies the body of our Anna Done to death by a banana It wasn't the fruit that laid her low But the skin of the thing that made her go.

Ray Bradbury

August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012 Genres: fantasy, science fiction, satire Essays, novels, short stories American Influenced by Poe

Who are the 5 main characters? What mistakes have George and Lydia made in raising their children? Who is parenting the children in the story? Is the Happy-life Home healthy for the family? How does the nursery work? Describe the scene or setting that the nursery is “stuck on.” What advice does McClean give to the Hadleys?

Lots of foreshadowing Kids fending for themselves Idea of money not buying happiness Eye description Exposure to death at a young age Absence of parental guidance Literary references

“Happy life, with the machines scattered around the room Look what they made, they made it for me - happy technology Outside, the lions roam, feeding on remains We'll never leave, look at us now, so in love with the way we are Here, the world that the children made The world that the children made, here Every night, they rock us to sleep - digital family Is it real, or is it a dream? Can you believe the machines? Outside, the beating sun, can you hear the screams? We'll never leave, look at us now, so in love with the way we are”