1. O. Henry, Vonnegut, Poe, Bradbury
Short Stories
O. Henry, Vonnegut, Poe, Bradbury

2. Understanding Structures
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

3. “The Ransom of Red Chief” “The Last Leaf”
O. Henry

4. 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

5. “The Last Leaf” Discussion Questions
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.

6. “The Ransom of Red Chief”
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.

7. Déjà Vu Trope: a common or overused theme or device
Archetype: constantly recurring symbol or motif; pattern or thought that is universally present
Where have you seen this idea before?

8. “Harrison Bergeron”
Kurt Vonnegut

9. Kurt Vonnegut (1922-2007) 20th century American writer
Genre: novel/short story, satire/dark humor/science fiction
Satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people’s stupidity or vices, and society as a whole
Soldier & POW in Dresden
Slaughterhouse-Five, Breakfast of Champions, Cat’s Cradle

10. Harrison Bergeron Audio Book Takes place in the future, year 2081
Everyone is finally equal
No one is extraordinary

11. 2081
2081 Trailer
Film

12. Discussion Questions 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?

13. Above Average Quality/Ability Handicap that Nullifies
Handicap Guard
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
Beauty
Wear a mask
Physical Strength
Wear heavy and cumbersome weights

14. Writing Activity
In 2081, the government has issued the 211th, 212th, and 213th 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, 1870.
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.”

15. What are the differences between a short story and a novel?

16. Favorite Short Stories
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

17. Short Story Groups Pt. 1
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

18. Short Story Groups Pt. 2
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

19. Short Story Groups Pt. 3
First discuss why you chose that story and share your various examples – make at least 3 specific references to the text
Record the following information: defining feature of the story based on its author, climax/turning point, resolution, literary element, and dream cast (with rationale)
Be ready to present this information to the class

20. “The Masque of the Red Death”
Poe

21. Edgar Allan Poe 1809-1849 Orphan Married his 13 year old cousin
Cause of death unknown
Gothic genre: death, macabre

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. The Masque of the Red Death

27. BLUE

28. PURPLE

29. GREEN

30. ORANGE

31. WHITE

32. VIOLET

33. BLACK/RED

35. Allegory: symbolic representation of ideas or concepts through literal terms
Figurative (Symbolic of …)

36. Allegory: representation of ideas or concepts through literal terms
Figurative (Symbolic of …)

37. 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

38. Famous Epitaphs Shakespeare: Martin Luther King, Jr Anna Hopewell
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.

39. “The Veldt”
Ray Bradbury

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

41. Comprehension Questions
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?

42. Connections to The Outsiders
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

43. “The Veldt” by Deadmau5
“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”