Paragraphs 3-4
What does the man in doorway look like, according to paragraph 3?
The man is leaning against the doorway of a darkened hardware store. He has an unlit cigar in his mouth.
Inference: Leaning --> Relaxed
What does the policeman reveal? Why is that important to the man?
The restaurant closed 5 years ago and was torn down.
His meeting place no longer exists. Signals how much time has passed.
What’s the man’s purpose?
To meet his friend, Jimmy, after 20 years to reunite.
What does the policeman infer based on the man’s watch? Why?
That the man "did pretty well out West" --> he has money / a fortune
The man has a "handsome watch, the lids of it set with small diamonds."
What is Foreshadowing?
Hints in a story placed by the author for the reader.
Why is this situation suspicious to the officer?
The man is standing in a doorway in the dark waiting for a friend he made plans with 20 years ago.
We also find out the building where the guy is waiting was torn down five years ago.
How is the man’s face shown to the cop?
By the light of the cigar.
Man stands in the dark somewhat lit by the small flam.
Why were the man and Jimmy separated?
The man moved out west to make his fortune (look for gold / riches in the west) and Jimmy stayed in New York
What does the man reveal about his time out West?
It was competitive and tricky so you have to be sharp and sneaky.
"I've had to compete with some of the sharpest wits going to get my pile"
"It takes the West to put a razor-edge on him"
What is Irony?
When the author makes you think one thing is going to happen, but then the opposite thing happens.
What excuse does the man give for his appearance at the doorway?
"I'm just waiting for a friend. It's an appointment I made twenty years ago."
How is the man’s face described?
"A pale, square-jawed face with keen eyes, and a little white scar near his right eyebrow"
Why did they decide on twenty years? Does this seem reasonable to you?
"We figured that in twenty years each of us ought to have our destiny worked out and our fortunes made, whatever they were going to be"
What does he say about Jimmy?
Jimmy moved slowly, maybe wasn't as competitive or sharp. ("He was a kind of plodder")
Who was Langston Hughes?
An African-American poet in the 1920's.
He was a key person in the Harlem Rennaisance.
Wrote Mother to Son.
What is unique about the man’s “appointment?”
He made the appointment twenty years ago
What’s interesting about the man's scarf?
"His scarfpin was a large diamond, oddly set"
What happened between Jimmy and the man?
They grew apart --> "after a year or two we lost track of each other"
The man has faith in Jimmy. Why?
Jimmy is one of the truest men-- "he will never forget" (going back in the text to infer something later!)
Jimmy also seems to be loyal.
Also: "If Jimmy is alive on earth he'll be here"
What was the main theme of "The Stolen Party"
What is imagery?
Describe the scene so far using imagery.
Dark, misty, night
Man leaning against a closed restaurant in the dark with a cigar
The policeman is walking with purpose down the avenue... seems to guard to street
What is the mood of the story so far?
Cold, dark, mysterious
How does the man talk about Jimmy? Is this positive or negative?
Positive!
He respects him.
"He was the trues, stanchest, old chap in the world"
What is the mood of the two men?
Policeman: Curious, Neutral
Waiting man: Mysterious, trusting, well-off
What is a thesis statement?
Your claim/argument in a paper!