1. “First Confession”

2. Story Map Review
Setting
Characters
Conflicts
Outcome
Themes

3. Metaphor
Definition- comparison of two unlike things that actually have something in common, without using “like” or “as”
Examples:
“He was a lion in the fight”
“Love is a rose.”
"The streets were a furnace, the sun an executioner.“
"Humor is the shock absorber of life; it helps us take the blows.“
You come up with one!

5. Simile Definition—comparison of two things, using “like” or “as”
“It’s been a hard day, and I’ve been working like a dog.”
“His skin was as cold as ice.”
“He eats like a pig.”
You come up with one!
Significance—similes add emphasis to words and can make descriptions more vivid

6. …LIKE A…

7. Diction
Diction: Element of style an author’s word choice; affects tone; determined based on purpose and audience
Example:
"Dearest reader, I humbly entreat you to eschew the latest celebrity tittle-tattle and instead devote your attention to diction and tone." Sophisticated/elevated word choice— very formal
versus
"Listen up! Drop the gossip magazine and get with the diction/tone program!" Informal/colloquial word choice— used with peers/friends/people of equal or lower “status”

8. Tone
Definition: implied attitude of the author/speaker toward the subject/audience; determined by diction
What are some adjectives you can think of to describe tone?
How does tone influence the meaning of a text?

9. Tone Words angry sad sentimental sharp cold fanciful upset urgent
complimentary
silly
joking
giddy
bored
poignant
sympathetic
proud
seductive
happy
dramatic
didactic
understanding
pitiful
mocking
horrified
somber
restrained
provocative
humorous
dreamy
condescending
sweet
irreverent
weary
afraid
apologetic
benevolent
vexed
shocked
childish
objective
detached
zealous
candid
sarcastic
contemptuous
nostalgic
confused
hollow
mournful
ecstatic

10. Connotation and Denotation
Denotation: the literal, “dictionary definition” meaning of a word
Connotation: the commonly understood, subjective cultural association of meaning with a word, in addition to the dictionary definition
For example, we use many different terms for young people. While “little one” and “brat” both literally refer to a young person, “little one” usually has a positive connotation (association), whereas “brat” typically has a negative connotation. You wouldn’t want to compliment a young mother by calling her child a “cute little brat.”
Other examples:
“Stink” versus “aroma” versus “smell”
“Reckless” plan versus “daring” plan
“Easygoing” friend versus “lazy” friend
Answer with “arrogance” versus answer with “confidence”

11. Positive, Negative, and Neutral Connotations
POSITIVE= “LITTLE ONE”
NEUTRAL=CHILD NEGATIVE=BRAT

12. Positive, Negative, and Neutral Connotations
POSITIVE= “STROLLING” NEUTRAL=“WALKING”
NEGATIVE=“TRUDGING”

13. “First Confession”
Analytical Questions

14. Point of View
Describe the narrator of the story. Support your description with specific details.
Imagine if the story were told through a different point of view—maybe the priest, the sister, or an objective narrator. What would be lost?
What kind of relationship does Jackie have with his family?
How does Jackie’s point of view as a child (when telling the story) seem to differ from the author’s perspective as an adult? Discuss the following plot details.
Jackie’s attitude about his grandmother/ her terrible vices
Mrs. Ryan’s tale of the burned handprints
Jackie’s explanation for the long silence after confessing his plan to kill his grandmother
Jackie’s plan for disposing of the body

15. Character/ Characterization
In what ways is Jackie not entirely naïve, but sometimes shrewd and perceptive?
What character traits does the priest display? How does he differ from Mrs. Ryan?

16. Theme
Do you believe a possible message of the story is that, as Nora claims at the end, there is no point in trying to live a virtuous life? Why or why not?

17. Suspense
How does O’Connor create suspense in the story?

18. Allusion/Simile
As Nora and Jackie walk to the chapel, Jackie describes the “sunlit hillsides beyond the valley of the river, which I saw in the gaps between the houses like Adam’s last glimpse of Paradise.” What is the allusion, and why is it appropriate?

19. Tone
What parts did you find to be particularly humorous?