Theme
A message about human life that a writer shares with the reader.
Theme
What's the exposition? (setting + main characters)
Setting: Crete, Greece
Main Characters: Icarus and his dad, Daedalus
Which statement supports the key idea that the knowledge Icarus gained was valuable to him?
A. Icarus burned his wings and fell to Earth.
B. Icarus found the limits of his freedom.
C. Icarus was not seen by shepherds and farmers.
D. Icarus discovered a law to protect his fall.
B. Icarus found the limits of his freedom.
From his behavior in the beginning of the myth, you can infer that Icarus —
A. is still a young boy
B. is worried about his father
C. feels lonely
D. is a gifted athlete
A. is still a young boy
What does the word 'moderate' mean as used in paragraph 5?
A. very generous
B. just enough
C. too little
D. wee-earned
B. just enough
True or false? The following is a theme found in the story: it is always best to listen to our parents.
True
What is the initiating event? (main conflict)
Daedalus and Icarus are stranded on an island and must figure out a way to get back home
Which detail from the story supports the key idea that Icarus flew TOO high?
A. "Up and up Icarus soared..."
B. "... the sun became so hot that the largest feathers dropped off..."
C. "... until he reached the clouds..."
D. "He cried out to his father..."
B. "... the sun became so hot that the largest feathers dropped off..."
Inferences = what we see/read in the text + what we ________
already know (background knowledge)
What does the word 'misgivings' mean as used in paragraph 5?
A. disappointment
B. sadness
C. serious doubts
D. embarrassment
C. serious doubts
Against his father's advice, Icarus flew higher and higher because he...
A. was eager to prove his father wrong
B. often disobeyed his father
C. became lost when the sun blinded him
D. was overtaken by the thrill of flying and freedom
D. He was overtaken by the thrill of flying and freedom
The main conflict is what type? Is this internal or external?
External
What was the author's purpose of comparing Icarus to a bird in paragraph 6?
A. foreshadow (hint at) Icarus' inability to fly
B. foreshadow Icarus' love for his father
C. foreshadow Icarus' joy when he flies
D. foreshadow Icarus' wings coming off
C. foreshadow Icarus' joy when he flies
What warning sign indicates that Icarus is in danger?
A. Small feathers fall off his wings.
B. His father flies toward earth.
C. A cool wind blows on his face.
D. He begins to feel faint.
A. Small feathers fall off his wings.
What does the word 'bade' mean as used in paragraph 5?
A. sung
B. commanded or asked
C. laughed at
D. cried about
B. commanded or asked
Think about Daedalus's advice to Icarus. What do these lines suggest about the kind of behavior that ancient Greeks valued?
The advice suggests that the ancient Greeks valued moderation.
What is the climax of the story?
Icarus soars too close to the sun and his wings begin to melt
Identify descriptive words and details in paragraph 7. What do these words tells us about Icarus' experience? How does he FEEL about his newfound freedom?
They suggest that he cannot control his urge to fly higher ("up and up, soared, glorious, sense of freedom, higher and higher, and heaven")
What can we infer about Icarus’s personality?
A. He is fearful and careful.
B. He is innocent and foolish.
C. He is respectful and patient.
D. He is intelligent and experienced.
B. He is innocent and foolish.
What does the word 'prowess' mean as used in paragraph 6?
A. strength
B. arrogance
C. intelligence
D. recklessness
A. strength
What does the sentence "As they flew across the land to test their prowess before setting out across the dark wild sea, plowmen below stopped their work and shepherds gazed in wonder, thinking Daedalus and Icarus were gods."suggest about the theme?
The sentence suggests that the people watching from below thought that Daedalus and Icarus were gods. It suggests that one theme of the myth is, "Don't get above yourself and try to be like the gods."
What's the resolution?
Daedalus builds a temple for Apollo, hangs the wings
Which TWO details from the text support the idea of the theme of independence/freedom?
A. "Daedalus managed to escape from the tower"
B. "He was bewitched by a sense of freedom"
C. "Soon Icarus was sure that he, too, could fly"
D. "...thrown caution to the winds in the exaltation of his freedom"
B. He was bewitched by a sense of freedom D. ...thrown caution to the winds in the exaltation of his freedom
Which words best describe Daedalus’s attitude toward Icarus?
A. loving and concerned
B. critical and controlling
C. unfeeling and neglectful
D. boastful and encouraging
A. loving and concerned
What does the word 'bewitched' mean as it is used in paragraph 7?
A. tempted by
B. forced to
C. disgusted by
D. fighting off
A. tempted by