1. Mr. Verutes /10/17
English 9
Aim: What are the different types of characters in literature? Do Now: 1. Take out your Reader’s Notepad and review the note-taking entries you completed for “Plainswoman.” 2. Answer each of the following review questions as completely as possible (in at least 3 sentences). In each response make sure to: -Begin by describing Nora’s character at that stage of plot development (claim) -Support your claim by introducing and providing details from the text that you recorded in your Reader’s Notepad as a quote and cite the quote -Explain how the details you identified support your claim EX: During the exposition of “Plainswoman” by Williams Forrest, Nora is introduced as a fearful character who is unable to face the brutality of life on the plains. In the text, Forrest communicates that Nora is so frightened of life on the plains that, “[s]he was left on the ranch with Pleny, a handy man, who was to do the chores and lessen her fears” (8). Forrest goes on to indicate, through the narration, that when Pleny attempts to request Nora’s help, “her emotion rejected it and any part of it. Her emotion said that he should not have come to her and that she had nothing to do with it, and would not and could not” (9). During the exposition, Forrest clearly shows that Nora is unable to remain on the ranch alone because of her fears. Forrest also indicates that she is frightened by Pleny’s request to the point that she is unable to answer him and ignores his plea for help.

2. Do Now Exercise
How does Williams Forrest characterize Nora during the rising action of Plainswoman?
How does Williams Forrest characterize Nora during the climax of Plainswoman?
How does Williams Forrest characterize Nora during the falling action of Plainswoman?

3. Whole Class Review Different Types of Characters
Characters – People (or animals or imaginary creatures) who participate in plot events. Characters can be major (main) or minor and dynamic or static.
Major Characters – appear in the text the most over the course of the story, are directly involved in the conflict, and help to communicate the theme.
Minor Characters – do not participate in the majority of plot events but help to “move the story along” for the main characters
Dynamic Characters – exhibit major changes in their traits over the course of the story. They usually learn a lesson or adopt a different approach to life as a result of overcoming the conflict at work in the narrative.
Static Characters – Do not exhibit changes over the course of the story. Static characters remain the same throughout the story and do not exhibit character development

4. Classwork: Different Types of Characters – Complete the following charts using characters from “Plainswoman.” Identify each as a major or minor character and a dynamic or static character. Be sure to explain how you know what type of character each one is by providing details from the text in the column to the right.
Character’s Name
Major or Minor?
How do you know?
Nora
Pleny
The cowboy who broke his leg
Character’s Name
Dynamic or Static?
How do you know?
Nora
Pleny
The cowboy who broke his leg

5. Mr. Verutes /16/17
English 9
Aim: What conflicts do characters experience in a literary work? What are the different types of conflict in literature? Do Now: As a bulleted list, identify and briefly describe the conflicts (3) in Forrest’s short story “Plainswoman.”r.
Do Now Response:

6. Conflict
A conflict is a problem that the main character or characters face(s) and must overcome or resolve before the end of the story.
The essence of any story is its conflict.
What makes a story good is seeing how the main character(s) resolve(s) the conflict at work in the story.
How the character(s) change(s) and what the character(s) learn(s) from overcoming the conflict(s) help to communicate the theme of the story

7. Common Conflicts in Literature
Person vs. Person
Person vs. Nature
Person vs. Fate/Supernatural
Person vs. Society/The State
Person vs. Self
Person vs. Technology
Person vs. Time

8. Homework
In three short responses, explain each of the three conflicts at work in “Plainswoman” and identify the type of conflict each may be considered. In your responses, explain how the conflict you identified is an example of that type of conflict, and support your responses with details from the text. EX: In the short story “Plainswoman,” Nora struggles with __(explain the conflict)__. Forrest demonstrates this through ___(introduce and provide details as a quote and cite it)__. This is best considered a person vs. ______________ conflict because ______________________________.

9. Homework Response