Mrs. Whitaker
This is the kind of life Mrs. Whitaker generally prefers: predictable routines or surprising adventures?
a life of predictable routines
Galaad arrives in modern Britain dressed and speaking like this kind of figure.
a medieval knight
Mrs. Whitaker finds the Holy Grail in this ordinary kind of shop.
secondhand charity shop, the Oxfam Shop
In the sword passage in paragraph 86, this word provides a clue to the meaning of “ignoble.”
"cowardly"
In “Mrs. Whitaker’s friend Mrs. Perkins,” the name identifies which friend. What is “Mrs. Perkins” called in this construction? (type of phrase we took notes on)
appositive
Name the two central characters in "Chivalry."
Mrs. Whitaker and Sir Galaad
Mrs. Whitaker repeatedly uses this simple adjective for both ordinary and extraordinary things.
“nice”
This legendary object is the focus of Galaad’s quest.
the Holy Grail
What contrast creates much of the story’s humor?
Hint: two opposites
the contrast between magical, legendary events and ordinary modern life?
In the context of the sword passage, “ignoble” most nearly means this.
dishonorable, shameful, or not noble
Is the appositive in “Mrs. Whitaker’s friend Mrs. Perkins” restrictive or nonrestrictive?
restrictive (necessary to understand the sentence, no commas)
What is the central conflict between Mrs. Whitaker and Galaad?
Galaad is trying to obtain the Holy Grail from Mrs. Whitaker, who is not easily persuaded to give it up
What do Mrs. Whitaker’s thoughts about her church in paragraph 64 suggest about her tastes?
She prefers familiar traditions or routines
When Mrs. Whitaker is not impressed by an offer, Galaad responds by doing this.
returning with another, more impressive treasure or offer
Mrs. Whitaker’s response to extraordinary events is often understated. How does that help make the story funny?
She treats magical treasures and a medieval knight as if they were ordinary, which contrasts with how remarkable they seem to the reader.
Give one synonym for the word “appraise.”
assess, estimate, evaluate
Why is “Mrs. Perkins” essential in the phrase “Mrs. Whitaker’s friend Mrs. Perkins”?
It tells the reader which friend is meant.
Give a brief, accurate summary of the story’s central conflict and how it is resolved.
Mrs. Whitaker finds the Holy Grail, and Galaad tries to bargain for it. She eventually trades it for some treasures but rejects the apple.
In paragraph 149, Mrs. Whitaker says the apple “isn’t proper.” What does her rejection suggest she is struggling with?
feelings or desires stirred up by the apple
Explain how Mrs. Whitaker’s practical attitude clashes with Galaad’s knightly purpose.
Galaad treats the Grail as a sacred treasure he must recover, while Mrs. Whitaker treats it as an attractive object that looks nice on her mantelpiece.
In paragraph 118, Mrs. Whitaker has Galaad help with this ordinary household task.
moving things while she dusts
Give one example of an ignoble act (doesn't have to be from the story).
stealing, treason, fraud, etc.
Which character is being described: speaks in an antiquated way
Sir Galaad
In paragraph 178, Mrs. Whitaker thinks she has “nowhere to put” the apple. What does this practical thought suggest about her?
She is practical and focused on the realities of her home and ordinary life rather than the apple’s legendary value.
Galaad arrives in modern Britain dressed and speaking like this kind of figure.
She refuses an offer for the Grail because she likes it on her mantelpiece, showing that she calmly sticks to what she wants.
Name two treasures Galaad offers in his attempts to bargain for the Grail.
Any two: a legendary sword, the Philosopher’s Stone, the Egg of the Phoenix, or the apple of the Hesperides
Explain why the Oxfam Shop is a fitting place for the Holy Grail to appear.
A charity shop is full of ordinary secondhand objects, so finding a legendary treasure there creates a comic contrast and shows how casually the modern world treats it.
Give one word to describe Galaad's vocabulary and one word to describe Mrs. Whitaker's vocabulary.
Galaad: grand, formal, elevated, fancy
Mrs. Whitaker: plain, practical, ordinary
The sentence “Mrs. Whitaker found the Holy Grail; it was under a fur coat” presents an extraordinary discovery in what kind of style?
a direct, matter-of-fact, straightforward, or understated style
State one theme of “Chivalry” and support it with one story detail.
Everyday values/morals can matter more than legendary status or grand quests; Mrs. Whitaker calmly treats the Grail as a household object and makes choices based on her own priorities.