Types of Love
What does empathy mean?
Understanding or sharing another person's feelings and perspective.
Who are the two main characters in the story?
Della and Jim
What are the names of the two friends who promised to meet after twenty years?
"Silky" Bob and Jimmy Wells
What is situational irony?
When the actual outcome of a situation is different from what is expected.
What two basic elements make up a story's setting?
Time and place.
What is the difference between platonic love and romantic love?
Platonic love is a deep, nonromantic affection, often between friends. Romantic love involves romantic attraction or affection.
What valuable possession does Jim own that symbolizes his family history and pride?
Jim’s watch
What is Jimmy’s profession when Bob returns to New York?
He is a police officer.
What is dramatic irony?
When the reader or audience knows something important that one or more characters do not know.
What is mood in literature?
The feeling or atmosphere that a text creates for the reader.
Which Greek type of love describes the affectionate bond commonly found between parents and children or among family members?
Storge (familial love).
Why does Della decide to sell her hair?
To raise money to buy Jim a meaningful Christmas gift.
Describe one way Bob’s appearance suggests how his life has changed since he left New York.
He wears expensive clothing and jewelry. He has a confident, proud manner, indicating success.
A student studies all night for a test on the wrong chapter. When the test begins, the student realizes the mistake. What type of irony is this?
Situational irony, because the student expected to be prepared but discovers they studied the wrong material.
What is the difference between direct and indirect characterization?
Direct characterization explicitly tells the reader about a character. Indirect characterization reveals traits through actions, dialogue, thoughts, appearance, and interactions.
Amy stands up for her best friend when others spread rumors about her. She continues supporting her friend even when doing so makes her less popular. Which quality does Amy demonstrate most clearly: empathy, fidelity, or loyalty? Explain your choice.
Loyalty. Amy remains supportive and stands by her friend despite social pressure.
Explain the situational irony at the end of the story in one sentence.
Each character sacrifices the very thing needed to use the other's gift (Della sells her hair; Jim sold his watch).
Explain why Jimmy faces a conflict; what two loyalties are in tension for him?
He must choose between loyalty to his old friend Bob and his professional duty to enforce the law as a police officer.
In a mystery story, the reader learns that the friendly neighbor is the thief, but the main character continues trusting the neighbor. What type of irony is used?
Dramatic irony, because the reader knows the neighbor's identity as the thief while the main character does not.
A story describes an abandoned house, creaking floorboards, and shadows moving across the walls. What mood is the author most likely trying to create?
An eerie, suspenseful, or frightening mood.
A person volunteers to help strangers after a natural disaster, expecting no reward or recognition. Which Greek type of love does this best represent, and what detail supports your answer?
Agape. The person shows selfless, compassionate love by helping others without expecting anything in return.
Identify two specific details from the story that show Jim and Della's economic situation and explain how those details develop the theme of sacrifice.
Della carefully counts her small savings and the apartment description of modest furnishings (or Jim’s watch being the only valuable item). These details show poverty and motivate the characters to sacrifice prized possessions, highlighting that love motivates selfless giving.
What is the significance of the note left for Bob at the end of the story? Use two story details to support your answer.
The note reveals Jimmy recognized Bob but arranged for another officer to make the arrest; details: the plain-clothes officer speaks with Bob and gives the note, and Jimmy’s earlier conversation shows recognition but restraint. This shows Jimmy upheld duty while attempting to honor their friendship's privacy.
In After Twenty Years, what makes the ending ironic?
Bob believes he is meeting his old friend Jimmy, but the man who meets him is a plainclothes police officer who has recognized Bob as a wanted criminal. The unexpected outcome is situational irony.
A story shows a character repeatedly helping others, even when doing so costs the character time and money. What is one possible theme of the story, and what element of the story supports that theme?
Ex: One possible theme is that kindness or selflessness is valuable. The character's repeated actions support this message.