Introduction to Short Stories

1. Introduction to Short Stories

2. Agenda 9/28/12 • Attendance/Write down HW • Warm-up • Lecture: Features of a short story • Read: “The Necklace” • Group work: Analysis • Share answers

3. Warm up • In what ways does this film differ from a movie like “UP”?

4. Features of Short Stories: Limited Length • Short stories are distinct from novels and novellas • Short stories are: • even shorter • less complex

5. How they begin… • Because short stories are, well, short they start in media res • Latin for “into the middle of things” • Most short stories start in the middle or near the conclusion rather than the beginning

6. Central Conflict • The central conflict is not complicated • It is clear and direct • Too many details crammed in will leave the reader confused and overwhelmed

7. Characters • There is a limited description of the characters • Main characters: Perform Actions • Supporting characters: Receive Actions

8. Time and Setting • There is no standard • These vary widely

9. Kinds of Short Stories • Maupassantian- Usually ends with some kind of trick or surprise ending • Named after the French short story writer, Guy De Maupassant

10. Poe Story • Poe- A detective or mystery story • Edgar Allan Poe- invented this kind of story • Aimed to write the “ideal story” • No extra details • Everything advances the plot

11. Chekhovian • Chekhovian- Psychological, focuses on the thoughts of the character • Limited action • Anton Chekhov-master of the short story, used stream of consciousness style of writing

12. The Art & Craft of the Short Story • The Author has to be ruthless about what to keep and what to cut • No room for extraneous (extra) details that could lose the reader • Has to be more carefully constructed than novel • Less room for error

13. The Necklace • By Guy De Maupassant • Published in 1884 • One of the most famous short stories of all time

14. Independent Writing Prompt Answer the following question in detail in a minimum of half a page: • What was the true cost of the necklace?

15. Agenda • Warm-up • Discuss: “The Necklace” • Mini Lecture: Intro to Poe and “The Tell-Tale Heart” • Read “The Tell-Tale Heart” • Begin comic strips

16. Objectives • Identify and discuss the theme in “The Necklace” • Analyze the features of Poe’s style, with special attention given to narrartion

17. Warm-Up • If you were Mme. Forestier, what would you have done after you found out about the Loisel’s hardships?

18. Warm-Up • How did the setting of the Mansion in “The Necklace” reflect the attitudes of the characters?

19. “The Raven” • A Poem by Edgar Allan Poe • About a man grieving the loss of a woman, Lenore • This short clip should give you an idea of his style

20. Edgar Allan Poe • Lived from 1809-1849 • Wrote Gothic literature and poetry • Combined horror and romance

21. Themes and Issues Most of Poe’s work deals with questions of: • Death and Self-Destruction • Insanity/Madness • Imagination

22. Edgar Allan Poe’s Style • Poe’s stories are very dark and filled with suspense • Poe uses the following literary devices/elements to form his signature style

23. Unreliable Narrator • Some of his stories use an unreliable narrator • You cannot always trust what they are telling you. • Reasons include: • Insanity/Paranoia • Immaturity • Egomania (obsessed with themselves)

24. Literary Devices/Elements • Imagery: Language that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.) • Example: “The hinges creaked”

25. Literary Devices • Figurative Language • Simile: A comparison of two things using “as” or “like” • ex: He is as fast as a cheetah • Metaphor: A comparison of two unlike things, suggesting one IS the other. • ex: His room is a garbage dump.

26. Literary Devices • Alliteration: Repeated consonant sounds at the beginning of words. Alliteration is used to create melody, establish mood, and call attention to important words. • Ex: "For the sky and the sea, and the sea and the sky."

27. Literary Devices • Repetition: Where certain words or phrases are repeated for stronger emphasis. Can also be used to create tension and suspense. • “Louder, louder” • Grim Humor: Topics and events that are usually treated seriously-death, murder, sickness, madness, etc. are treated in a humorous manner.

28. The Tell-Tale Heart • As we read through the story… • Underline/highlight • main events • key facts • Important pieces of dialogue or quotations

29. Comic Strip • Your task is to create a comic strip of “The Tell-Tale Heart” • Like a short story writer, you must only choose to illustrate what is essential • On a separate piece of paper, you must write a sentence or two justifying EACH panel • In the first panel, put the name of the story as well as the author. This too can have an illustration.

30. Wrap-up • What evidence is there to support the idea of an unreliable narrator?

31. Agenda • Hand in Comics • Reader’s Workshop (45 minutes) • Poe’s Sense of Style-posters • Objective: Students will analyze the use of literary devices in Poe’s “The Tell Tale Heart”

32. Reader’s Workshop • In back, write down 8-10 people to write your letters to. • On the front of your RW notebook, write down: • Your Name • Period • Teacher’s Name • In permanent marker

33. Posters • In groups of three you will make a poster on two elements of Poe’s style • The poster will include: • Description of the device/element • Two examples of each device from “The Tell Tale Heart” • For each example- Comment/Analyze how it works in the story • Decorate it after #1-3 are finished

34. The Style of J.D. Salinger • Lived from 1919-2010 • Wrote one novel, two novellas, and numerous short stories • Stopped publishing in 1965

35. J.D. Salinger’s Style • Salinger’s most famous novel is the The Catcher in the Rye. • It contains many of Salinger’s most distinctive traits: • First person narrator • Conversational voice/tone • Wrote in vernacular of East Coast upper-middle class

36. Themes in Salinger’s Work • Wisdom of children • Innocence and what happens when it’s gone • Coping with grief • Alienation/Fitting in the modern world • Hypocrisy of adult life

37. Salinger’s Style • Although Salinger’s voice is distinctive he can be viewed as a Chekhovian writer • Many stories meditate or focus on the thoughts of one character

38. The Heart of a Broken Story • Published September 1941 in Esquire Magazine • Focuses on the actions just one man, Justin Horgenschlag • Contains multiple narrative threads

39. Agenda • Assessment (10 mins max) • Clear Desk • Pencil • Posters-Finish posters (15 mins) • Present posters • Read “The Heart of a Broken Story” • Pairs-Analyze author’s choices • RW (if time allows)

40. Objective • Students will analyze the use of literary devices in Poe’s work • Students will read and comment on the author’s intent

41. Posters • In groups of three you will make a poster on one element of Poe’s style • The poster will include: • Description of the device/element • Two examples of the device from “The Tell Tale Heart” • Comment/Analyze how it works in the story • Decorate it after #1-3 are finished

42. Presentation • Be serious as you present your poster • Be respectful to presenters • Each group member should have a speaking role • Ask for questions at the end