Characters
Grandpa is a part of the _____ tribe.
Sioux
What is the climax of the story?
When Martin receives the medicine bag from Grandpa.
How did Grandpa get to Martin's house? How long was his trip?
Grandpa took multiple buses and walked. It took him 2.5 days to get to Martin's house.
Give a synonym for the word "commotion".
What point of view is "The Medicine Bag"?
First-person
What happened to Grandpa after he arrived to Martin's house? Why?
He fainted from heat exhaustion.
What occurs in the falling action & resolution?
Martin goes back to the reservation and puts sacred sage in the medicine bag.
Why did Grandpa give the medicine bag to Martin and not his sister, Cheryl?
The medicine bag must be passed down to the oldest male descendent.
"I reluctantly agreed to let him use my pencil."
What does reluctantly mean?
Hesitantly
What does the medicine bag symbolize?
tradition, culture, responsibility, leadership, protection
How does Martin's attitude towards the medicine bag change from beginning to end?
He is first embarrassed and nervous about receiving the medicine bag. By the end, he is honored and fulfills his Grandpa's wishes. Martin will carry on the legacy and tradition.
What is the main conflict of the story?
Character VS _______?
Martin VS Himself (his emotions towards Grandpa and his culture)
What was Grandpa's vest made out of?
Deer
What words can you use to describe Cheryl's emotions when she sees Grandpa? How is this different than Martin's feelings?
Cheryl is excited and joyful.
Martin is embarrassed and ashamed.
Explain how Martin is a dynamic character.
He changes his opinions about his culture after receiving the medicine bag from Grandpa and hearing about its origins.
How does Grandpa show respect for his Sioux culture?
He protected the medicine bag and continued the tradition by passing it down to Martin.
"Finally, one day after school, my friends came home with me because nothing I said stopped them. 'We’re going to see the great Indian of Bell View Drive,' said Hank, who was supposed to be my best friend. 'My brother has seen him three times, so he oughta be well enough to see us'” (Sneve).
What part of the plot does this quote come from?
The rising action.
What was Martin's mom's name?
What is a FLAT character?
Characters who readers only see one side of in the story - These characters are not as developed as ROUND characters.
What words can you use to describe the MOOD of the story when Grandpa is giving Martin the medicine bag and explaining its origins?
Why did Grandpa wear a lot of his Native American attire when Martin's friends came to visit?
He wants to make Martin proud.
"We never showed our friends Grandpa’s picture. Not that we were ashamed of him, but because we knew that the glamorous tales we told didn’t go with the real thing. Our friends would have laughed at the picture..." (Sneve).
What part of the plot does this quote come from?
What state does Martin live in?
Iowa
Define HISTORICAL allusion.
An indirect reference to a person, event, or place from history to add deeper meaning to a text.
What is the theme of "The Medicine Bag"?
Family and culture is more important than impressions and opinions of others.