Thursday, January 10, 2013

Tonight's Homework...

"The Necklace" classwork

Reading Literature: Short Stories

1. Recognizing Irony.  Irony is an important element in this story.  In irony, what appears to be true is the opposite of the truth.  Tell what ironic situation is revealed at the end of this story.

2. Finding Character traits.  A character trait is a quality that a character shows.  For example, important traits of John Henry were his determination and pride.  Tell what character traits you learned about Mathilde by reading the first four paragraphs of the story.  Identify sentences that led you to believe she had those qualities.  Then tell what you learned about her in the rest of the story.

4. Diagramming the Plot.  You have learned that the plot can be divided into five parts: introduction, rising action, climax or turning point, falling action, and resolution. Draw a plot line showing all five parts of story “The Necklace.”

Developing Vocabulary Skills
1. Using Context Clues in Sentences.  The underlined words in sentences below appear in “The Necklace.”  Each sentence contains a definition or restatement clue.  On your paper, write the following:

 J     The clue words or clue pronunciation that helped you find the meaning of the words.

J     The meaning of the underlined word.

 

1. She dreamed of luxuries – costly food and dress- and huge rooms filled at five o’clock with good friends.
2. She had no way of being known in society.  In other words, there was no chance for her to meet any rich and powerful people.
3. On the plates would be the pink flesh of trout or the wings of a quail, which is a kind of game bird.
4.  All of a sudden she discovered, in a black satin box, a necklace of diamonds that was superb, splendid!
5. She went shopping, insulting storekeepers.  That is, she treated them rudely.
6. Mme. Loisel now began to know the horrible existence, the unhappy life, of the needy.
7. His wife’s tears caused him to be in despair – without hope.
8. He wanted her to buy a suitable dress – a dress that would fit the occasion.

2. Using context Clues within a Paragraph: Read how Mme. Loisel feels as she sits in the cold house after the ball. What is the meaning of “overwhelmed”? What clues helped you figure out the meaning?

Developing Writing Skills

1. Discussing meaning. Here are three sentences from “The Necklace” that describe M. Loisel when he borrows the money to buy the replacement for the necklace:

To everyone he gave signed promise to repay, even to criminals.
He risked all the rest of his life and then signed away another life.
All that mattered was to get the thirty-six thousand together.

What does the statement that Loisel “signed away another life” mean? Write a paragraph about what these three sentences tell concerning M. Loisel’s action and feelings.