From Morrison, to Grgas, to Allende... “Two Words” about “Reader as Artist” Taking Morrison’s advice and changing the way we read.

SAT Question of the Day... Part of the following sentence is underlined; beneath the sentence are five ways of phrasing the underlined material. Select the option that produces the best sentence. If you think the original phrasing produces a better sentence than any of the alternatives, select choice A. Upon its completion in May 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge, a steel suspension bridge linking Brooklyn to Manhattan as the longest bridge in the world. A. to Manhattan as B. to Manhattan, and was C. and Manhattan, was D. with Manhattan, it was E. with Manhattan, as it was Choice (C) is correct. It avoids the sentence fragment error of the original by providing a main verb, “was,” for the subject of the sentence, “the Brooklyn Bridge.”

Select a sentence that you feel BEST portrays Allende’s Authorial Intent regarding her character. “...she decided to set out across the plains in the direction of the sea, in hopes that she might trick death along the way.” (213) “Many people fell by the wayside, but she was so stubborn that she survived to cross through that hell and at long lars reach the first trickles of water...” (213) “That was the day Belisa Crepulscario found out that words make their way in the world without a master, and that anyone with a little cleverness can appropriate them and do business with them.” (214)

How does Allende use irony to portray El Mulato and the Colonel? “She saw dark skin and the eyes of a ferocious puma, and she knew immediately that she was standing before the lonliest man in the world.” (216) “She did not dare refuse, fearing that El Mulato would shoot her between the eyes, or worse still, that the Colonel would burst into tears.” (216) “The men knew then that their leader would never undo the witchcraft of those two accursed words, because the whole world could see the ferocious puma’s eyes soften as the woman walked to him and took his hand in hers.” (219)

How is Belisa Crepusculario similar to Morrison? Belisa depended on the oral tradition to understand the world. Belisa appreciates words and the power they wield.

Character Comparisons Similar? Different? El Mulato vs. The Colonel Similar? Different? What makes them kindred spirits? Belisa vs. The Colonel

What is the theme of the story? Brute force vs. Mental prowess Belisa was mentally powerful She understood what the Colonel needed and provided it His physical strength and intimidation were no match for her intellect and knowledge of human needs

And so “she gave the gift of a secret word to drive away melancholy.” Homework Would it have been better to know what the two words were? What function does this mystery serve? Select a word that has always played a powerful role in your life. It could have to do with the word’s construction, a memory, the sound, etc. Write it on the index card and briefly justify your choice on the reverse. Be prepared to share your word and explain your choice tomorrow. Outliers vocabulary quiz is next Friday, September 14th.