The Story
(Plot & Characters)
(Plot & Characters)
Who is the main character in The Banana Tree?
Gustus
What type of figurative language is this: “The wind roared like a beast.”
Simile
What is the tone of the story’s climax when Gustus clings to the banana tree?
Intense, desperate, fearful.
Where does The Banana Tree take place?
A rural banana plantation.
What word in the following sentence defines "merciless"?
From its very buildup the hurricane meant to show it was merciless, unstoppable, and with its might, changed landscapes.
unstoppable
What is Gustus trying to protect during the storm?
His family’s banana tree
What type of figurative language is this: “The trees danced wildly in the storm.”
Personification
How does the mood shift from the beginning to the end of the story?
From calm to suspenseful to reflective.
How does the setting impact the story’s conflict?
The storm puts Gustus in danger, forcing him to fight to save the tree.
What does "impeded" mean in the following sentence:
Because the bridge was washed away, the hazardous roundabout journey had badly impeded them.
interferred with or slowed the progress of
Describe the relationship between Gustus and his father.
Their relationship is strained and Gustus feels like his father doesn't understand him.
The author says that the storm is a monster. What type of figurative language is this?
Metaphor
What words in the passage “The sky darkened, and the wind howled” contribute to the tone?
“darkened” and “howled” create tension.
What would happen if the story took place in a different setting, such as a city?
The conflict would change; a banana tree wouldn’t be as important.
Relentlessly means endlessly, without stopping. Write a sentence that properly uses the word "relentlessly."
Answers will vary
How does Gustus change from the beginning to the end of the story?
He matures and understands hard work & sacrifice.
How does the figurative language in the story affect the tone?
It makes the storm feel more intense and dramatic. It brings it to life!
What is the tone in the final scene when Gustus sees the destroyed banana grove?
Somber, reflective, but also proud.
How does the storm symbolize Gustus’s personal struggle?
Just like the storm tests the tree’s strength, it also tests his determination.
The calamity, or disastrous event, in "The Banana Tree" is the hurricane. List three calamities that have occurred in history.
Answers will vary
What is the theme of The Banana Tree?
Perseverance, resilience, or sacrifice
Take the part of the story when Gustus sees the destroyed tree, and write a sentence using a simile, metaphor, hyperpole, or personification.
Answers will vary
How does the author create a suspenseful mood?
Through imagery, short sentences, and figurative language.
List three different conflicts in the text with their conflict type.
The hurricane destroying land (character vs. nature)
Gustus and his father are not getting along (character vs. character)
Gustus decides if he should save the banana tree (character vs. self)
If you could change one part of the story, what would it be and why?
Open-ended.