Heinrich Boll “The Laugher”

Prewriting As you now know (hopefully), the title of our next short story is “The Laugher.” Predict: Take a few minutes and write about what you think this story could be about. Consider: Character Plot Theme Conflict

Ideas?

Heinrich Boll

December 21, 1917 – July 16, 1985 Born in Germany Nobel Prize for Literature in 1972 Work has been translated into more than thirty languages.

His Catholic family opposed the rise of Nazism. Heinrich avoided joining the Hitler Youth.

Irony Types of Irony: Verbal Dramatic Situational

Verbal Irony This is the contrast between what is said and what is meant. Most sarcastic comments are ironic.

Dramatic This is the contrast between what the character thinks to be true and what we (the reader or audience) know to be true. 

Situational It is the contrast between what happens and what was expected. Irony of situation is sometimes humorous, such as when a prank backfires on the prankster.

Read “The Laugher” aloud

Write on the following: Were your predictions about the story accurate? Explain. Find two examples of irony in the story. What type(s) of irony did you find?

Thoughts on the story?

Why does Boll convey the tone he does? How does it affect the story? Now, silently re-read and annotate the story. Look for word choice (and circle) that would contribute to the overall tone of the story. Why does Boll convey the tone he does? How does it affect the story?

Boll structures his story using three distinct sections. What are they Boll structures his story using three distinct sections. What are they? Can you think of the purpose?

Finally, look through the story and pay close attention to style Finally, look through the story and pay close attention to style. Come up with at least two times where you note: Repetition Syntax Sentence structure/length Sounds Punctuation Word choice Remember to ask yourself “why?”