Introduction to Short Stories

Agenda 9/28/12• Attendance/Write down HW

• Warm-up

• Lecture: Features of a short story

• Read: “The Necklace”

• Group work: Analysis

• Share answers

Warm up• In what ways does this film differ from a

movie like “UP”?

Features of Short Stories: Limited Length

• Short stories are distinct from novels and novellas

• Short stories are: – even shorter – less complex

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

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

Characters

• There is a limited description of the characters

• Main characters: Perform Actions• Supporting characters: Receive Actions

Time and Setting• There is no standard

• These vary widely

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

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

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

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

The Necklace• By Guy De Maupassant

• Published in 1884

• One of the most famous short stories of all time

Independent Writing Prompt

Answer the following question in detail in a minimum of half a page:

1. What was the true cost of the necklace?

Agenda • Warm-up

• Discuss: “The Necklace”

• Mini Lecture: Intro to Poe and “The Tell-Tale Heart”

• Read “The Tell-Tale Heart”

• Begin comic strips

Objectives1. Identify and discuss the theme in “The

Necklace”

2. Analyze the features of Poe’s style, with special attention given to narrartion

Warm-Up• If you were Mme. Forestier, what would

you have done after you found out about the Loisel’s hardships?

Warm-Up

• How did the setting of the Mansion in “The Necklace” reflect the attitudes of the characters?

“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

Edgar Allan Poe• Lived from 1809-1849

• Wrote Gothic literature and poetry

• Combined horror and romance

Themes and Issues Most of Poe’s work

deals with questions of:

1. Death and Self-Destruction

2. Insanity/Madness

3. Imagination

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

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)

Literary Devices/Elements• Imagery: Language

that appeals to the senses (sight, sound, taste, touch, and smell.)

• Example: “The hinges creaked”

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.

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."

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.

The Tell-Tale Heart• As we read through the story…

• Underline/highlight– main events – key facts – Important pieces of dialogue or quotations

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.

Wrap-up

• What evidence is there to support the idea of an unreliable narrator?

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”

Reader’s Workshop• In back, write down 8-10 people to

write your letters to. • On the front of your RW notebook,

write down:1. Your Name2. Period3. Teacher’s Name

• In permanent marker

Posters• In groups of three you will make a poster on

two elements of Poe’s style• The poster will include:

1. Description of the device/element

2. Two examples of each device from “The Tell Tale Heart”

3. For each example- Comment/Analyze how it works in the story

4. Decorate it after #1-3 are finished

The Style of J.D. Salinger• Lived from 1919-

2010 • Wrote one novel,

two novellas, and numerous short stories

• Stopped publishing in 1965

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

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

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

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

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)

Objective• Students will analyze the use of literary

devices in Poe’s work

• Students will read and comment on the author’s intent

Posters• In groups of three you will make a poster on one

element of Poe’s style• The poster will include:

1. Description of the device/element

2. Two examples of the device from “The Tell Tale Heart”

3. Comment/Analyze how it works in the story

4. Decorate it after #1-3 are finished

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