Unit 2 Stories
What was Charles' real name?
Laurie
From "Charles"
"I could hardly wait for the first Parent-Teachers meeting."
How is this an example of foreshadowing?
Laurie's mom & dad find out there is no 'Charles' in kindergarten at the meeting, it has been Laurie the whole time.
From "Charles"
"Charles bounced a see-saw onto the head of a little girl. He made her bleed."
How is this an example of imagery?
It paints a picture of how Charles/Laurie acts up in class.
From "Charles"
"Charles? ... We don't have any Charles in kindergarten."
How does this dialogue reveal tension?
The teacher tells the parents Charles does not exist, meaning it has been Laurie the whole time.
What is the surprise/suspense in Charles?
Laurie made up a fictional Charles to place the blame on his behavior.
How does the story "Thank You, Ma'am" begin?
A woman is walking alone at night, boy comes up behind her to take her purse
From "Thank You, Ma'am"
"It was about 11 o'clock at night, dark and she was walking alone, when a boy ran up behind her"
How is this an example of foreshadowing?
The boy attempts to rob her by grabbing her purse.
From "Thank You, Ma'am"
"She was large woman with a large purse that had everything in it but a hammer and nails."
How is this an example of imagery?
It paints a picture of the purse the woman carries, which grabs the attention of the robber. He thinks something worthy is inside.
From "Thank You, Ma'am"
-If I turn you loose, will you run?" asked the woman.
-"Yes" said the boy.
-"Then I won't turn you loose"
How does this dialogue reveal tension?
Readers may question what the woman will choose to do with the boy after robbing her.
What is the surprise/suspense in Thank You, Ma'am?
The young boy must decide whether to run from the lady's house or continue experiencing her nice treatment, even though he tried to rob her.
Where do Connie and her friends like to hang out in "Where You Going, Where You Been"?
Downtown, at a restaurant/diner
From "This New Old House"
"Under a corner section of the wallpaper in every room, is a person's name and a date."
How is this an example of foreshadowing?
The names and dates belong to missing people, whose skin covers the walls.
From "This New Old House"
"The best feeling is getting a long peel [of the wallpaper], similar to your skin when you're peeling from a sunburn."
How is this an example of imagery?
It paints a picture of how closely the wallpaper resembles human skin.
From "Where You Going, Where You Been?"
"How do you know what my name is?" Connie said suspiciously.
How does this dialogue reveal tension?
This shows that Arnold has been stalking Connie to learn her name and everything about her.
What is the surprise/suspense in This New Old House?
The couple move into a house that has wallpaper made from the skin of missing people.
What happened with each of La Belleza's pregnancies?
1st - stillborn
2nd - child dies
3rd - La Belleza dies
From "Where You Going, Where You Been"
"[Connie] happened to glance at a face just a few feet from hers...it was a boy in a gold convertible."
How is this an example of foreshadowing?
This boy ends up being Arnold Friend, who stalks and follows Connie to her house.
From "Sanchez"
"It was a cheap hotel on Center Street. The room smelled...the floor was stained."
How is this an example of imagery?
It paints a picture of the poor/dirty conditions Jesus chooses to live in while working in Stockton.
From "This New Old House"
"Ma'am where is the material you removed from the walls already? This isn't wallpaper you were removing."
How does this dialogue reveal tension?
This shows that the wallpaper was really made of the skin from the people who went missing.
What is the surprise/suspense in "Where You Going, Where You Been"?
Arnold Friend ends up being the man from the restaurant earlier in the story, and he takes Connie from her house while her family is away.
What is the difference between Stockton, CA and Twin Pines, CA?
Stockton - city, industrial, redevelopment, factories
Twin Pines - country, mountains, more land, spacious
From "Sanchez"
Juan gets a vasectomy to prevent La Belleza from getting pregnant a 3rd time.
How is this an example of foreshadowing?
The vasectomy does not work, and La Belleza's 3rd pregnancy ultimately kills her.
From "Sanchez"
When the first snow fell, Juan rolled around on the ground, catching snowflakes on his tongue.
How is this an example of imagery?
This paints a picture of how happy/joyful Juan is to be experiencing beautiful nature.
From "Sanchez"
"They are tearing down the old buildings. Redevelopment. Even my building will go someday."
How does this dialogue reveal tension?
It brings up the question of what will happen to the town of Stockton, while homes and businesses are being torn down.
What is the surprise/suspense in Sanchez?
Juan ends up killing himself in his burning house to die and be with his wife, La Belleza.