1. “The Finish of Patsy Barnes”
Paul Laurence Dunbar

2. Vocabulary Review Assiduously Eminent Retribution Specious Guile
Alerative
unobtrusively

3. Vocabulary Incorrigible Compulsory Sonorous Meager Obdurate Diplomatic
Inordinately
derision

4. Incorrigible
The incorrigible student never stops talking.

5. Incorrigible
Adj. Incapable of being reformed

6. Compulsory
At school it is compulsory that we wear the right uniform.

7. Compulsory
Adj.
Enforced by law

8. sonorous
The sonorous note of bullfrogs is heard a mile off in the river, the loudest sound this evening.

9. sonorous
Adj.
Having a powerful, impressive sound

10. meager
The meager supply of food would not last through the winter storm.

11. meager
Adj.
Lacking in some way

12. obdurate
The obdurate youngster refused to eat the peas.

13. obdurate
Adj.
Stubbornly persistent

14. inordinately
What are the possible causes of inordinately cold hands and feet?

15. inordinately
Adv.
Extremely

16. derision
You could hear the derision in his voice when he told her to take a hike.

17. derision N.
Ridicule or scorn

18. Paul Dunbar June 27, 1872– February 9, 1906

19. Paul Laurence Dunbar Born in Dayton, Ohio
Parents escaped from slavery in Kentucky
Wrote first poem at age 6
First published work was in a newspaper put out by Wilber & Orville Wright
He became well known as the "elevator boy poet"

20. “The Finish of Patsy Barnes” Discussion Questions
What kind of relationship does Patsy have with his mother?
What does Patsy’s reaction to his father’s death tell us about his character?
What is your opinion of the City Doctor? How does Patsy react to the doctor?
What is the significance of the horse’s name?
Is the climax of the story believable? Why or why not?

21. Vocabulary/Story review Incorrigible compulsory sonorous meager obdurate diplomatic inordinately derision
“Patsy was _________.”
“Even into the confines of Little Africa had penetrated the truant office and the terrible penalty of _______ education law.”
“He learned strange things about horses, and fine, _______ oaths that sounded eerie on his young lips…”
“Then, when he learned that he must leave his old friends, the horses and their masters, who he had known, he wept. The comparatively _______ appointments of the Fiar- grounds at Dalesford proved a poor compensation for all these.”