2BR02B
Why doesn’t Leora Duncan want her face to be painted on the sheave-carrier’s body?
She believes that the sheave-carrier represents disposal whereas her role is a bit more elegant.
Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something that the characters do not. Which of the following is the best example of dramatic irony in A Small Good Thing?
The baker repeatedly calls about the birthday cake, unaware of Scotty’s condition. Ann and Howard are also unaware of who the caller is.
Why does Rolf choose to stay with Azucena instead of simply reporting on her?
He feels a genuine connection to her and becomes emotionally invested.
Why does London include the detail about the man’s spit freezing mid-air?
To signal how dangerously cold it is and how unaware the man is of the danger.
An author’s choice of words, phrases, and sentence structure that create meaning and impact the reader.
Diction
Why does Leora Duncan agree to the painter’s second suggestion?
It would put her right next to Dr. Hitz and her job is more similar to pruning than to direct disposal.
How does the baker’s final act relate to the story’s larger theme?
It shows that small gestures of human connection can bring comfort during grief.
How does Rolf change over the course of the story?
He opens up emotionally, confronting old memories and trauma.
What larger idea does To Build a Fire suggest about humans and nature?
Overconfidence in the face of nature’s power leads to destruction.
The overall feeling or atmosphere of a text
Mood
How does population control in this story shape Wehling’s choices?
It forces him to choose between his children and another human life, making life feel like a transaction.
Why does Ann initially want to hurt the baker? How does her perspective shift?
-She assumes he has been harassing them but then realizes that he was unaware of their situation.
-She initially sees him as a villain but later realizes that he has his own struggles
What idea does And of Clay are we Created most clearly suggest about empathy and human suffering?
That through empathy, we can begin to face our own unresolved wounds.
How is the dog different from the man in its reaction to the environment?
Its instincts help it recognize danger.
The writer’s attitude towards the subject.
Tone
Which statement is most likely the theme of this story?
When life is treated as a resource to be managed, morality and humanity begin to break down.
How would the story be different if Ann and Howard never visited the bakery?
The story would focus solely on grief and isolation, without offering a moment of human connection or healing.
Which of the following best captures a message from the story.
True empathy does not always save, but it connects us in our most human moments.
What causes the man’s first fire to go out?
Snow from a tree above collapses onto it.
The emotional, social, or cultural meaning of a word.
Connotation
Why does Wehling bring a revolver to the hospital in 2BR02B, and what does this reveal about his character?
Wehling brings a revolver to the hospital because he is desperate—he wants all three of his newborn children to live, but there are only two volunteers willing to die. This reveals that he feels trapped and powerless in society
What is the significance of the title “A Small Good Thing”?
It represents the baker’s final act of kindness, offering food and comfort in a moment of grief.
How does the author show the limits of technology and media in the face of real human suffering?
By contrasting the arrival of cameras with the absence of practical aid.
What is the man’s greatest weakness in this story?
His lack of imagination and arrogance
The literal meaning of a word; it’s dictionary definition.
Denotation