Tears of a Tiger Plot
What is the setting of Tears of a Tiger?
Hazelwood High
Define Exposition:
Exposition is a literary device that is meant to relay background information about a main character, setting, event or other element of the narrative.
How does Andy's personality change after the accident?
Andy likes to be alone a lot, and he has crying spells. They also say he is depressed.
Why is Tyrone angry with the suicide prevention/grief counseling woman at their school?
He is angry because he and B.J. went to the school counselor with their concerns about Andy and his depression, but no one did anything until it was too late.
What type of figurative language is present in this quote?
"Well, how is California treating you?"
Personification
What is an example of internal conflict in Tears of a Tiger?
Keisha wants to break up with Andy, but feels like she can't.
Andy feels immense guilt for being the driver in the car accident that killed his best friend.
Define Rising Action:
The rising action is the element of a plot that occurs after the exposition and builds the conflict.
How does Andy describe his relationship with his family to his psychologist?
He says his parents do not understand him at all. His father works all the time and his mother is out of touch with reality. He feels like they love his younger brother more than him.
When B.J. and Tyrone are concerned about Andy and go to talk to the school counselor, what does she say?
Don't worry. Andy is seeing a counselor. He is getting the help he needs.
What type of figurative language is present in this quote?
"Actually you are the glue that is holding the team together.”
Metaphor
What is the climax of Tears of a Tiger?
Andy's suicide
Define the Climax:
Climax is that particular point in a narrative at which the conflict or tension hits the highest point.
Why didn't Andy turn in his poem?
He stopped caring about his grades.
On a deeper level, his poem bared his soul. He did not want to share that because it may be seen as a weakness.
Ms. Blackwell is teaching Macbeth to the students. Why does the author, Sharon Draper, use allusion by referencing Macbeth?
She uses allusion to draw a parallel between what Lady Macbeth is experiencing to what Andy is experiencing.
Define hyperbole:
It is exaggerated statements or claims that are not meant to be taken literally.
What must Andy do to make it in the world, according to Andy’s father?
Assimilate into the society in which we live
Define Falling Action:
The falling action of a story is the section of the plot following the climax, in which the tension stemming from the story's central conflict decreases and the story moves toward its conclusion.
Andy tries to talk to his mother after the talent show to try to explain to her how he feels. To what does he compare his feelings?
Drowning
Why does Keisha feel that it is time to break up with Andy?
She is tired of his whining and moping.
Which literary device is in this quote?
"I just got home from the mall. There must have be a million people there."
Hyperbole
What is the resolution of Tears of a Tiger?
The resolution of the story is the tying the loose ends together. All of Andy's friends wrote their goodbye letters to Andy and told him how they felt about him. Monty went to his grave and said his goodbyes.
Define Resolution:
The resolution is the end of the story. It occurs after the CLIMAX. It is when you learn what happens to the characters after the CONFLICT is resolved.
What is 1 of the 3 reasons Andy's grades slide?
1. His parents push him to be someone he isn't.
2. His friends make fun of him if he does well.
3. His teachers set very low expectations for black students like him.
In Monty's picture, what do the tears on the tiger symbolize?
Andy's pain
What are some examples of stereotyping, implicit bias, and / or racism in the text?
Implicit bias: is when we have attitudes towards people or associate stereotypes with them without our conscious knowledge.
Andy and Rob - being followed in the store.
Andy - the teacher saying he will have to make his tests harder since Andy made an A.
Teachers saying Andy should learn a trade, since he won't go to collage.