1. English I
Short Story Unit

2. Short Stories and Authors
“The Sniper” – Liam O’Flaherty
“The Most Dangerous Game” – Richard Connell
“The Gift of the Magi” – O’Henry
“The Scarlet Ibis” – James Hurst
“The Cask of Amontillado” – Edgar Allan Poe
“The Necklace” – Guy de Maupassant
“The Lottery” – Shirley Jackson
“Harrison Bergeron” – Kurt Vonnegut
“The Interlopers” and “The Open Window” – Saki
“The Lady, or the Tiger?” – Frank R. Stockton
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” – James Thurber

3. Short Story Literary Terms
Plot
Exposition
Complication
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Resolution
Surprise Ending
Conflict: External/Internal
Suspense
Irony: Verbal, Dramatic, Situational
Setting
Mood
Foreshadowing
Motivation
Horror Fiction
Science Fiction
Cliffhanger
Allusion
Pseudonym
Characters
Main/Minor
Flat/Round
Static/Dynamic
Characterization: Direct/Indirect
Figurative Language
Simile
Metaphor
Symbolism
Hyperbole
Theme
Point of View: 1st, 3rd limited, 3rd omniscient
Reliable Narrator
Satire
Dialogue

4. The Plot Triangle

5. The Plot Triangle Climax Rising Action Falling Action Exposition
Resolution

6. Analyzing Setting in a Story
Title: ______________________________________ Author: _____________________________
What is the setting? Historical period? Country or locale? Season of the year? Weather? Time of day? What are the sights? Sounds? Smells? Tastes?
Are the characters in conflict with the setting? What do the characters want? Does the setting keep them from getting what they want?
What does the setting tell us about the characters? What feelings or attitudes do the characters reveal toward the setting? Fear? Pleasure? Challenge? Respect?
How would you describe the atmosphere or mood created by the setting? Is it gloomy? Cheerful? Mysterious? Threatening? Other?

7. Figurative Language
Title: ______________________________________ Author: _____________________________
Simile: a comparison of two unlike things, using a word such as like, as, resembles, than
Her teeth were as white as snow.
On the football field, he was like a bear.
Metaphor: a comparison of two unlike things without the use of comparison words; says one thing is another
The stars were diamonds shining in the night.
The sun is a ball of fire.
Personification: a type of metaphor that gives human qualities to something nonhuman
The wind whispered a lullaby.
The flowers danced in the breeze.
Symbolism: words that have a greater meaning
To end the fight, Mary offered John an olive branch.

8. Characterization: Direct vs. Indirect
Title: ______________________________________ Author: _____________________________
Direct: author tells you
Name:
Indirect: character says/does
Indirect: character thinks/feels
Indirect: What other characters say about the character

9. “The Gift of the Magi” Characterization Exercise
Three times Della counted it. (203)
There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. (204)
…he was called Jim and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young. (204)
Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. (204)
“If Jim doesn’t kill me,” she said to herself, “before he takes a second look at me, he’ll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl.” (205)
Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the air shaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels and gifts. (204)
Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy. (204)
Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain. (205)
Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.
“Give it to me quick,” said Della. (205)
When Della reached home, her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. (205)
It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. (204)
Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy. (205)
Jim was never late. (206)
Della, being slender, had mastered the art… (204)
Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. (206)

10. “The Gift of the Magi” Characterization Exercise
Three times Della counted it. (203)
There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. (204)
…he was called Jim and greatly hugged by Mrs. James Dillingham Young. (204)
Many a happy hour she had spent planning for something nice for him. (204)
“If Jim doesn’t kill me,” she said to herself, “before he takes a second look at me, he’ll say I look like a Coney Island chorus girl.” (205)
Had the Queen of Sheba lived in the flat across the air shaft, Della would have let her hair hang out the window some day to dry just to depreciate Her Majesty’s jewels and gifts. (204)
Had King Solomon been the janitor, with all his treasures piled up in the basement, Jim would have pulled out his watch every time he passed, just to see him pluck at his beard from envy. (204)
Grand as the watch was, he sometimes looked at it on the sly on account of the old leather strap that he used in place of a chain. (205)
Once she faltered for a minute and stood still while a tear or two splashed on the worn red carpet.
“Give it to me quick,” said Della. (205)
When Della reached home, her intoxication gave way a little to prudence and reason. (205)
It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her. (204)
Within forty minutes her head was covered with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy. (205)
Jim was never late. (206)
Della, being slender, had mastered the art… (204)
Then she heard his step on the stair away down on the first flight, and she turned white for just a moment. (206)

11. “The Gift of the Magi” Characterization Exercise
She had a habit of saying little silent prayers about the simplest everyday things… (206)
…and now she whispered: “Please God, make him think I am still pretty.” (206)
He looked thin and very serious. (206)
Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two – and to be burdened with a family! (206)
He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves. (206)
“You say your hair is gone?” he said, with an air of almost idiocy. (206)
“I don’t think there’s anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.” (206)
And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails… (206)
“My hair grows so fast, Jim!”
Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled. (207)
“I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.” (207)
They are the Magi. (207)
Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Young in which they both took a mighty pride. (204)
She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. (204)
On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. (204)
She was ransacking the stores for Jim’s present. (205)

12. “The Gift of the Magi” Characterization Exercise
She had a habit of saying little silent prayers about the simplest everyday things… (206)
…and now she whispered: “Please God, make him think I am still pretty.” (206)
He looked thin and very serious. (206)
Poor fellow, he was only twenty-two – and to be burdened with a family! (206)
He needed a new overcoat and he was without gloves. (206)
“You say your hair is gone?” he said, with an air of almost idiocy. (206)
“I don’t think there’s anything in the way of a haircut or a shave or shampoo that could make me like my girl any less.” (206)
And then an ecstatic scream of joy; and then, alas! a quick feminine change to hysterical tears and wails… (206)
“My hair grows so fast, Jim!”
Instead of obeying, Jim tumbled down on the couch and put his hands under the back of his head and smiled. (207)
“I sold the watch to get the money to buy your combs.” (207)
They are the Magi. (207)
Now, there were two possessions of the James Dillingham Young in which they both took a mighty pride. (204)
She had been saving every penny she could for months, with this result. (204)
On went her old brown jacket; on went her old brown hat. (204)
She was ransacking the stores for Jim’s present. (205)

13. Characters Name of Character Qualities why?
Title: ______________________________________ Author: _____________________________
Name of Character
Qualities
Main
Minor
Flat
Round
Static
Dynamic Motivation? If change,
why?

14. Conflict: External vs. Internal
Title: ______________________________________ Author: _____________________________
Man v. Man
Man v. Nature
Man v. Society
Man v. Supern.
Man v. Himself
External Conflict =
Internal Conflict =

15. “The Most Dangerous Game” Reading Quiz
Directions: Copy the question and answer on your notebook paper.
1. Name the author of the short story.
2. What is the name of the island discussed in the exposition?
3. What is the name of the main character from New York City?
4. What does Whitney believe jaguars (the hunted) fear?
5. What is the complication, the first encounter of conflict, in the story?
6. What animal does the main character consider to be the most
dangerous game?
7. What does Zaroff consider to be the most dangerous game?
8. Describe one of the “traps” the main character sets for Zaroff. (Be
specific!)
9. What is the climax of the short story?
10. What is the resolution of the short story?

16. Identifying Irony in a Story
Title: ______________________________________ Author: _____________________________
Dramatic: When the audience knows something a character does not.
Situational: When what you expect to happen doesn’t, and usually the opposite does.
Verbal: When a character says one thing and means another; double-meaning.

17. Determining Point of View
Short Story Title
Type of Point of View
How do you know?

18. Understanding Allusions
Allusion: A reference to a famous piece of literature, art, music, or history.
“He showed the courage and strength of Hercules.”
“Katherine was not amused and smiled like the Mona Lisa.”
“The remains of the building reminded the old-timers of the destruction at Hiroshima.”
“Brian was a skillful musician with the dedication of Mozart.”

19. Discovering Theme
Theme is the central message or insight into life. It can be stated directly, or can be implied (when you read between the lines to discover meaning).
Title of work:
Theme(s):