The Rocking Horse Winner
focus: To examine the theme of the story.
summary:
- Paul wants to gain the love of his mother who is distant and depressed.
- She says that their family is in desperate need of luck.
- Paul can foresee the actual winners of horse races when he rides his rocking horse.
- Paul uses this to get more money for the home, but the voices are still there.
- Paul becomes critically ill after his last ride to predict the Derby winner.
- When the boy dies, the mother contemplates what she has really gained or lost.
Points to Ponder:
Where is there a contrast between illusion and reality in the first paragraph?
What effect does the conversation about luck have on Paul? Is this a good thing?
Why might Paul not want anyone else in the partnership with his uncle?
Describe the mother’s personality. Describe her attitude towards her career and life.
What is the “whispering” in the house? What is it symbolic of?
Why is the father not mentioned in the story?
What is the climax of this story?
Explain the last paragraph of the story. What might the uncle mean?
What might be a possible theme to this story?
The Demon Lover
focus: To examine how the author builds suspense and plot elements.
summary:
- During WWII, a married woman in her forties returns to her closed up home to get some belongings.
- There she reads a letter from a man who she promised to marry. He was later reported missing in action.
- The woman recalls their loveless relationship.
- She enters a cab to leave and finds that the driver is her old lover.
Points to Ponder:
Analyze the setting. What type of mood does the setting create? Explain.
What is mysterious about the letter? Column 2 pg 1019
How does Mrs. Dover’s attitude change when she receives the letter?
Examine the behavior of the main character. Why was she happy he left for war? Why did she make her promise?
What events create suspense within the story ?
No Witchcraft for Sale
summary-
-The Farquars live in Southern Rhodesia with their African cook Gideon.
-Gideon and their small boy Teddy are great friends.
-As Teddy grows, he falls under the white system.
-Gideon saves Teddy from being blinded by a snake bite by spitting a root into his eyes.
-Gideon leads the scientist and the Farquars on a wild goose chase after being questioned about the location of the root.
Points to Ponder:
Describe the relationship between Teddy and Gideon early on.
Explain the change in the relationship between Gideon and Teddy as Teddy grows older. Give examples.
How does Gideon react to this change?