The Fifty First Dragon By Heywood Broun

Vocabulary Words & Definitions

Joust Verb To fight with lances on horseback

Expulsion Noun Forcing out someone from a group

Dexterity Noun Skillfulness with hands or feet; cleverness

Timorously Adverb Timidly; shyly

Restive Adjective Nervous; restless

Ethics Noun Rules of a moral conduct or behavior

Indiscriminate Adjective Unrestrained in choice; haphazard (unplanned/careless)

Judicial Adjective Showing careful consideration of all sides of a problem before making a decision

Ferocity Noun Fierceness; aggressive behavior

Brandish Verb To wave or display in a threatening way

Impetuous Adjective Acting suddenly, without much thought; rash

Malice Noun A desire to be purposely hurtful to others

Preliminary Adjective Happening before; leading up to the main action

Discourse Noun A long speech, discussion, or writing about a topic

Testy Adjective Touchy; easily angered or bothered

Solicitude Noun Concern; inquiring about

Literal Adjective Real; exact

Meager Adjective A small amount; scant; scarce supply

Author Notes Heywood Broun Born 1888-1939 Harvard Graduate New Yorker

Author Notes Sports reporter, World War I correspondent, literary critic Believed journalism can point out social wrongs

The Fifty-First Dragon Spontaneous humor balanced with fable-like message about self confidence Humor stems from: Anachronism: a thing or person that belongs in an earlier time Sarcasm: a sneering or cutting remark Fantasy: wondrous, strange, imaginative images Cynicism: a scornfully negative remark Understatement: makes the situation seem less important than it is

Anachronism Events existing out of their proper time in history Examples: A horse drawn carriage on an interstate highway A jet airplane in a cowboy movie Abe Lincoln using a microwave or cell phone A sword is an anachronism for modern warfare.