CONFLICTS
In The Gift of the Magi, what type of conflict is shown when Della must choose between keeping her hair or buying Jim a gift?
internal conflict (man vs. self)
Who are the main characters in The Gift of the Magi?
Della and Jim Dillingham Young
What is the main problem faced by Della and Jim in The Gift of the Magi?
their lack of money to buy gifts for each other
In The Gift of the Magi, what do Della’s hair and Jim’s watch symbolize?
love expressed through personal sacrifice
What is the narrative point of view of The Gift of the Magi?
third-person omniscient
What external conflict drives Beowulf’s first major battle?
man vs. supernatural (Beowulf vs. Grendel)
Identify the main antagonist in Beowulf.
Grendel
What event marks the climax of Beowulf?
Beowulf’s battle with Grendel’s mother
In Beowulf, what does the dragon symbolize?
death, greed, and the inevitability of fate
How does the tone of The Lottery contribute to the story’s impact?
its calm, neutral tone heightens the horror of the violent ending
In The Lottery, what central conflict arises from the townspeople’s adherence to tradition?
man vs. society
In The Lottery, what does Tessie Hutchinson symbolize?
the individual questioning blind conformity
What shocking event concludes The Lottery?
Tessie Hutchinson’s stoning as the chosen sacrifice
In The Lottery, what does the black box represent?
blind tradition and resistance to change
Describe the tone of Beowulf.
formal, serious, and heroic
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, what internal struggle does Gawain face before accepting the Green Knight’s challenge?
fear of death versus the code of honor
Describe how Robin Hood embodies the value of communal justice.
his selflessness and willingness to fight for the oppressed
How does Robin Hood’s storyline consistently express social critique?
it exposes the corruption of authority and promotes fairness
In Robin Hood, what does the forest setting symbolize?
freedom, equality, and refuge from corruption
What tone dominates the Robin Hood tales?
light-hearted yet moralizing, celebrating courage and justice
How does Robin Hood’s conflict with the Sheriff of Nottingham reflect communal values?
it represents the people’s fight for justice and equality against tyranny
How does Sir Gawain’s character reflect both strength and human imperfection?
he is brave but succumbs to fear, revealing the human struggle with moral ideals
What lesson does Sir Gawain and the Green Knight reveal through its ending?
true honor lies in humility and moral integrity, not perfection
In Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, what does the green girdle symbolize?
human weakness and the acceptance of imperfection
How does tone shape the reader’s perception of Gawain in Sir Gawain and the Green Knight?
a reflective tone reveals both admiration for his virtue and empathy for his human flaws