1. Horacio Quiroga “The Feather Pillow”
Page 731
2007 COS – 1, 1a
2010 COS –Rl ; RL ; Rl ; RL ; RL
W ; W ; SL ; L ; L ; L
AHSGE – R.III.2: R.IV.2

2. Horacio Quiroga
One of Latin America’s finest and most celebrated short story writers.
He believed that every word and detail in a story should build to a single, unified emotional effect.
Many of his stories deal with fundamental conflicts between human beings and the word of nature – in which nature is invariably the victor.

3. Quickwrite
What makes your skin crawl?

4. “The Feather Pillow” (p. 733)
Describe the characters of Alicia and Jordan. In what ways are they foils, or opposites?
Many horror stories are set in ruins, dungeons, or cemeteries. Compare those settings to the setting for this story.
What illness does Alicia contract?
What are the symptoms of Alicia’s unknown illness?
What ultimately causes Alicia’s death?

5. Activity
Alicia’s death is caused by the parasite draining her blood as she lay on her pillow. However, symbolically Alicia’s spirit is also being killed by something, or someone, else. Explain this symbolic death. You must correctly cite at least two references to the story.