1. The Bridegroom Alexander Pushkin
Page 62

2. Quickwrite:
Suppose you knew someone who had witnessed a horrifying crime and was afraid to talk about it. Write a few sentences telling what you would advise the witness to do.

3. Before You Read
Describe the setting for the painting on page 63. Use WHERE and WHEN details in your description.

4. Before You Read
Write the correct term with each definition: •clamor: loud noise •distraught: extremely troubled •plied: addressed urgently and persistently •tumult: noisy commotion •foreboding: feeling that something bad will happen

5. Lines 1 - 15 • 1-4 What do you learn about Natasha? • 5-15
Why would Natasha’s cheeks regain “their rosy color?”

6. Lines 20 - 32 How does Natasha react to the man in the carriage?
What can you infer about her statement?

7. Lines 33-48
A coincidence is an occurrence of events that happen at or around the same time and seem to have a connection.
What two events occur between line 20 and line 48 that seem coincidental?

8. Lines 49-56
In line 49, the matchmaker says, “He bows low to no one.” What is she saying about the handsome young man?

9. Lines 57-71
In lines 69-70, Natasha’s father says, “A swallow should not spend all its time singing.” This suggests that he believes that the marriage will help her change and grow and overcome her fears. Do you agree with her father? Why or why not?

10. Lines 72-88 What causes Natasha to cry and shudder?
How does Natasha’s reaction to her father’s accepting the proposal change?

11. Lines 89-129 Why do you suppose Natasha decided to go into the cabin?
What did she see in the cabin?

12. Lines 130-160 How does Pushkin describe the twelve young men?
Why does the BRIDEGROOM keep interrupting Natasha’s dream description?

13. Lines
Symbolism: use of symbols or objects to represent a greater idea or concept
What does the cutting off of the girl’s hand symbolize?

14. Lines
Cause and Effect: A cause makes something happen. An effect is the result of a cause. Cause: Natasha telling her story. Effect: ???