Literary Terms & Devices
What is a protagonist?
The character around which the story revolves. (The "main" character is acceptable too.)
Name that short story:
Rainsford washes up on a mysterious and foreboding island to find the wealthy and crazes General Zaroff is going to make HIM the quarry for his next hunt...
The Most Dangerous Game.
How many cats did the narrator of "The Black Cat" own?
Two (Pluto, and then the "demon" one that haunted him with it's white mark.)
What is Sanger Rainford's profession?
He's a professional big game hunter.
What country is Sherlock Holmes from? (Also the country the author is from.)
England
Who is the doctor: Sherlock Holmes or John Watson?
Dr. Watson, naturally!
Name the two ways Sherlock demonstrates his powers of observation and skillful deductive reasoning within the first scene of the story.
#1 He sees Watson in the polished coffee pot.
#2 He deduces who Dr. Mortimer is more accurately based solely on his walking stick.
Name all the stages of plot (in order):
Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, (Fall) Resolution
Name that short story:
George and Ulrich are from feuding families, all over a worthless piece of land. In a twist of fate, they are both pinned by a falling tree and work out their differences. Yay - the feud will end! Wait... wolves!
The Interlopers
What was going on outside the abbey (palace) walls and gates in "Masque of the Red Death"?
A terrible plague.
What were Ulrich Von Gradwitz and Georg Znaeym fighting about in "The Interlopers"?
They were part of a family feud over a (fairly worthless) piece of scrub forestland.
This Sherlock Holmes a real historical person?
No (he's a work of fiction)
What is Dr. Mortimore's unusual speciality (interest)?
Skulls
What specifically does Dr. Mortimore WANT from Sherlock?
He wants to know what to do with Sir Henry. (Is it safe to take him to Baskerville Hall?)
What are the three basic types of irony?
Situational
Verbal
Dramatic
"The Black Cat" and "Hop Frog"
What flammable materials were the king and his minsters' costume made out of in "HopFrog"?
Cloth, tar & flax. (and the chains, of course)
What kind of irony do we see in "The Gift of the Magi"?
Situational - we'd expect Della's present to be well used, but the item required to make her gift useful was sold for a now useless gift for her.
What are the large, windswept grasslands of the countryside of Dartmoor called?
the moors
Why was Laura Lyons eager to meet Sir Charles on the night of his death?
She needed money to arrange a divorce from her deadbeat husband who abandoned her (so she could marry Stapleton, so she thought!)
How does the author establish the danger of Grimpen Mire?
Situational irony tends to be the most common in much short fiction. What IS situational irony?
It's when all the details are leading us to believe one thing will be a natural conclusion, but the unexpected opposite occurs.
The reality goes opposite of the expectation.
(Like a fire truck catching fire, or a police officer getting arrested for breaking the law.)
What point of view was used in telling the story of "The Black Cat"?
First person narration
Where (what room of the house) had the crazed narrator walled up his wife's body (and the cat) after "accidently" killing her?
the cellar (wall)
Why was General Zaroff's island called "Ship Trap Island"? How is the name appropriate?
He posted a false channel (fake buoys/lights) to navigate ships to wreck on the shore. It was appropriate because Zaroff wanted to "trap" any survivors there to be his prey for his "games."
Who is Sherlock Holmes visitor as he and Watson attempt to analyze the visitor's walk stick that was left when he's attempted to visit earlier?
Dr. Mortimore
What big secret were the Barrymores hiding?
Mrs. Barrymore's little brother, Selden, was the escaped murderer hiding out on the moors and they had been helping him survive by slipping him food and clothing.
What detail had Sherlock never told anyone at the time, that he later revealed which he said indicated to him that the Stapleton's might be involved?
He had smelled white jesmine (jasmine) perfume on the warning note, which indicated a woman was involved. Beryl, being the only woman other than Mrs. Barrymore in the line of suspects, made Sherlock suspicious.
Authors use careful word choice and descriptions in order to create this as part of their setting and story telling... it's called the _ _ _ _.
Tone.
Explain the title of "Gift of the Magi." (What does it mean/allude to?)
It is in reference to the 3 "wise men" or 3 kings that brought gifts to the baby Jesus on the first Christmas. It ties in by commenting on the true nature of gift giving, love, and sacrifice.
What story's theme is centered on the inevitability of death, no matter your wealth, station or the things you do to avoid it?
Masque of the Red Death
How is the ending of "The Interlopers" ironic?
Who has recently died, which is why the visitor is seeking Sherlock's help?
Sir Charles Baskerville
What true fact from his past allowed Sherlock to identify Stapleton as not who he was pretending to be?
Stapleton had slipped and told Watson he had taught at a school that went under.
What happened to Jack Stapleton?
He ran into Grimpen Mire at night in the fog, and since it was hard to see the wands (sticks) that marked the safe path, it is assumed he was sucked down into the swamp. (Leaving only a boot floating.)