The Scarlet Ibis Reading Comprehension Packet Total Points - /100 Tone Tone is the emotional aspect of the literature. The author creates a specific feeling/attitude right in the first paragraph of The Scarlet Ibis. After reading the first paragraph, complete the activity below. 1. What is the feeling you get from reading the first paragraph? 2. Give five examples (quotes taken directly from the first paragraph) that reinforce the tone. Include correct internal citations: a). b). c). d). e). Point of View 1. What point of view is the story told in?. 2. About how old is the narrator when he tells this story?. Diction Diction is the author s specific word choice. Authors will choose certain words for their effect based on their connotation. Connotation is the social meaning what the word suggests to us beyond its dictionary definition/meaning (denotation). Using the author s diction below, discuss what the word literally means and also what the word suggest in our society/culture. What is brother supposed to mean or be? What is our/your interpretation of the word brother? Write your answers in the chart. Word Denotation Connotation Lame crippled or physically disabled, especially in the foot Stupid, boring, not exciting (sample) or leg so as to limp or walk with difficulty Brother Plot Record the main events of the story below. 1.. 2.. 3.. 4.. 5.. 1
Similes/Metaphors Hurst implements both similes and metaphors throughout the text. Find five and record them in the table below with correct internal citations. Focus on what two things are being compared and what is the desired effect of that comparison. Simile/Metaphor Literal Term Figurative Term Desired Effect Imagery Imagery is the author s use of images to create/define setting, to reveal character, to reinforce theme, to reinforce tone, etc. Images can be visual (sight), auditory (hearing), olfactory (smell), gustatory (taste), tactile (touch) and kinesthetic (movement). List at least five concrete details (and provide proper internal citations) in the table below of the death imagery in the short story. Example 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 2
Character A developing/dynamic character is one who changes by the end of the story. He/she is one who learns something important that makes him/her mature and/or provides insight into him/herself and/or others. A static character is one who does not change. Determine whether or not the narrator is a dynamic character. You must support your response with evidence from the text and elaborate of what he succeeded or failed in learning. Symbols A symbol is a thing or idea that stands for/represents something else. Authors use symbols to enhance the theme of a text or to give the reader a greater understanding of a key idea in the story. The main symbol in the text is the scarlet ibis itself. The author implies that the bird is like Doodle, and at the end of the story, the narrator tells the reader that Doodle looks just like the sad, lifeless bird, his fallen scarlet ibis. By linking Doodle and the ibis in this way, Hurst makes clear that the bird symbolizes Doodle. What emotions is the color red generally associated with? What things in life are ordinarily red? Where does the scarlet ibis come from? What does it look like? Why does the scarlet ibis fade to pink if in captivity? How does Doodle respond to the scarlet ibis and its death? What does this say about him? Example 1. Red Imagery/Symbolism: To get the reader ready for the symbol, the author paints the story red. As you read find as many things, images, ideas, etc. that are red and record them in the table below with correct internal citations. 2. 3. 4. 5. 3
Comparative Symbol Chart Complete the chart by comparing the ibis to Doodle. Reread the description of the scarlet ibis and then, in the left column, list the bird s qualities. In the right column, list physical traits or aspects of Doodle s character that seem similar to that of the bird (remember what happens to these birds in captivity. Also, remember that this particular scarlet ibis was away from its home). Scarlet Ibis Doodle What do these similarities seem to say about Doodle? What is the story s theme? How does the use of this symbol illuminate the story s theme? Theme A theme is an idea and/or truth that the author reveals to the reader in the story. This idea or truth allows the reader to understand themselves as human beings who are connected to all other human beings in the world, across all spaces, cultures, times, etc. Themes are often related to life, death, love, friendship, family, courage, strength, etc. Stories may not always present people in their best light, but by reading about them, the reader is able to understand better ways to live and interact with people. To come up with a theme for this story, think about an important idea and/or truth we can learn from the narrator s struggle to get a brother he can be proud of as well as the price that he said for that struggle. What does the narrator want? What does Doodle want? How does Doodle die? Why does Doodle die? How should the narrator have treated his brother? Think of two different ways to state a theme for this story (one is already provided for you). Make your statement a complete sentence that reveals the truth about human behavior. Possible Themes: 1. Too much pride can make individuals treat those they love in cruel ways. 2.. 3.. 4
Reading Comprehension Questions There are a number of attitudes/emotions revealed in the text: pride, love, guilt, etc. Give two examples of pride, two examples of love and two examples of guilt from the text include proper internal citations and explain how/why these are examples of these emotions. a. Pride i b. Love i c. Guilt i 5