Writing / Literary terms
What is the point of satire?
To criticize society.
What is Swift's "Modest Proposal"?
To eat the poor children (and thereby solve overpopulation, crime and poverty.)
In Wife of Bath, explain the old woman's defense of being old.
Why does the protagonist in "Disappearing" want to lose weight?
To disappear, to be left alone, and potentially, suicide.
Discuss the double meaning of the title "Disappearing"
1. Weight loss
2. Desire to "disappear"
(suicidal state)
Give an example of irony and explain it.
When the outcome of a situation runs opposite to the situation. Ex: I diet but I gain weight.
In Wife of Bath, what are the knight's three reasons for not wanting to marry the woman.
She was old, poor, and of low status.
Who and what is Swift satirizing through his essay "A Modest Proposal"?
He mocks the rich Protestant upper class's abuse and neglect of the poor Catholics.
In "Can-Can", what is the husband, thinking while he is waiting for his mistress. Why?
For her not to show up. Thinking about his wife!
What does the can-can symbolize in the story "Can-Can"?
Answers will vary. The husband's love for his wife, his attraction, or second guessing his decision.
Direct characterization: She was a very happy person.
Transform this sentence into indirect characterization.
She whistled while she worked.
She was always laughing.
Why is Gulliver accused of treason in Liliputia?
He refuses to attack the Big Enders and be used as a weapon of war.
How does Jonathan Swift satirize England's war-loving nature in Gulliver's travels. Give an example.
-War over how to open an egg
(in Liliputia)
-No gunpowder
(in Brobdignagia) - Mocks England
What does Ms. Brill skip on her way home from the park? Why?
Getting a slice of cake. Because the young couple teased her. (Why is she here?! Her fur looks like fried fish!)
What is the crying in the box at the end of "Ms. Brill"? Explain your reasoning.
It was her own crying. Clues are provided about Ms. Brill's mental state and loneliness throughout (talking to her fur, imagining she is in the play, etc.)
Explain the two parts of every intro.
Hook - Catches reader's attention (quote, question, interesting fact, etc.)
Thesis - Guides the essay (what you are trying to prove in the body, also contains 3 topics)
Name two things that don't exist in Brobdignagia.
Poverty, Gun powder, War, Unfair justice systems, etc.
How does Swift use understatement in his title "A Modest Proposal"?
His proposal isn't modest (small). it is quite extreme! (Eating poor children!)
What is the protagonist's motivation for killing the old man in "Tell-Tale Heart"?
The old man's cursed eye!
Give 2 examples from the story that support the idea that the protagonist is insane.
-Imagining the old man's thoughts
-His obsession with the old man's eye.
-Imagining hearing the old man's heartbeat.
-Others.
Explain the 2 things every conclusion should have.
Restatement of thesis: Restates the thesis--guiding idea of the essay.
Final comment: Advice, final idea, insight, etc. that reads into the meaning of your essay.
In Pardoner's Tale, explain the fate of the three men.
Two men stab one to death and the other man poisons two men because they did not want to share the gold.
Explain the theme (topic + controlling idea) of Pardoner's Prologue.
Greed drives people to extreme ends / makes people crazy / can doom you!
Why does the father call his son an "accomplice"?
He helps him to do something illegal--remove the sawhorse, and drive home.
In Powder, what does the "Powder" symbolize? Explain the dual nature of the Powder.
His father, like snow, is both enjoyable but dangerous.