Freshman English 213

Literature and World HistoryName:

Short Story Unit:

“The Scarlet Ibis” (1960) (James Hurst); “A Rose for Emily” (1930) (William Falkner)

Reading Response Questions

“The Scarlet Ibis”

  1. Setting. What is the setting of the story? Why might the time period during which the story takes place be meaningful for the narrator (and reader)? (Hint: Look up Chateau-Thierry, Amiens, Soissons, Belleau Wood.)
  1. Conflict and Character. The narrator says, “I didn’t know that pride is a wonderful, terrible thing, a seed that bears two vines, life and death.” How does the narrator’s pride produce both wonderful and terrible things? How does this statement represent the internal conflict that is central to the story?
  1. The Title and Symbolism. What is Doodle’s reaction to the scarlet ibis that goes astray in the storm? How is the scarlet ibis connected to Doodle? Work through below your understanding of the bird as a symbol for Doodle.
  1. Point of View. Why is the narrator (Brother) telling this story? How does the first person narration a meaningful choice for Hurst?

“A Rose for Emily”

  • Noblesse oblige—the obligation of a person of noble standing to live up to this status
  • Cabal—small group of plotters; a clique
  • china-painting—decorating dinner plates
  1. Plot and Character. The ending gives both information about the story and depth to Emily’s character.
  2. Plot. As it turns out, what does Emily use the rat poison for AND what turns out to be the smell that the neighbors complained about?
  1. Character. How does the ending affect the narrator’s and our appreciation of Emily’s character?
  1. The Title. Try to work out the meaning of the title of the story. How is the story itself a kind of rose for Emily?
  1. Point of View. As far as you can tell, who is the narrator of the story. Discuss the potential significance of this and why Faulkner makes this choice.

Passage of Interest

Choose ONE phrase or sentence from either reading that interests you for ANY reason and that you want to discuss with a classmate, the teacher, or the entire class. Maybe it’s a line that you don’t understand. Write it down, along with the page number and the explanation for your choosing it.

OR discuss where the two stories intersect, a meaningful or interesting connection between the two. FILL THE GIVEN LINES BELOW.