The Bass
The Tunnel
The Masque
The Totem
Important Terms
100

What character can symbolize the narrator’s desire to be accepted and admired by someone he considers “out of his league.”

Sheila Mant

100

Jerry’s decision to leave the safe beach where he is with his mother and explore the rocky bay represents what stage of the Hero’s Journey.

Separation

100

The Red Death itself symbolizes what unavoidable force that affects everyone, regardless of wealth or social status

Death 

100

The fact that the totem cannot be easily removed suggests that this part of history cannot simply be what

Erased/Ignored 

100

What term describes the character or event that calls the hero to action 

The herald

200

The bass can symbolize what part of the narrator’s identity that he is willing to give up for Sheila’s approval.

his passion/true self

200

Jerry’s successful emergence from the tunnel represents what stage of the hero's journey because he has survived his greatest challenge and returns changed

Return/Return home 

200

The enormous ebony clock reminds the partygoers of what?, even as they try to ignore it.

the passage of time and the inevitability of death

200

What specific action of the totem can symbolize voices and histories that have been pushed aside demanding recognition/acknowledgement? 

The Totem making noise/ digging into the floor 

200

When a character leaves their safety and crosses into the other world this is known as what term in the hero's journey?

Crossing the Threshold 

300

What object represents the narrator’s passion for fishing and his connection to his true identity, which he ultimately sacrifices to impress Sheila.

The Bass/ Fishing rod 

300

Jerry’s struggle to hold his breath while swimming through the tunnel can symbolize what internal struggle

Overcoming fear or self doubt. (Teachers discretion) 

300

The seven rooms of Prospero’s abbey are often interpreted as representing the stages of what? 

Human Life 

300

What does the totem pole symbolize? 

Native culture/history 

300

A story in which characters, events, and settings consistently represent larger ideas, often creating a second level of meaning, is called what? 

Allegory 

400

What is the theme of The Bass? 

Ex: you should never sacrifice your true identity, values, and passions just to impress someone else

400

Jerry’s decision to swim away from his mother and enter the unfamiliar world of the tunnel represents Crossing the Threshold because he is leaving what stage of the hero's journey 

comfort/safety 

400

The final room is decorated in black with red windowpanes. The colors most strongly symbolize what combination? 

Death and Blood 

400

The totem appearing inside a modern building creates a contrast between these two things

the past and the present 

400

A dove representing peace is an example of what literary device because the dove has a meaning beyond what it literally is

Symbolism

500

The narrator's decision to cut the fishing line and let the bass go can be viewed as an allegory for what common experience of adolescence.

sacrificing your own interests or identity to gain someone else’s approval?

500

Jerry’s movement from the familiar beach into the dangerous underwater tunnel symbolizes Crossing the Threshold because the tunnel represents what larger journey in his life.

transition from childhood to independence/adulthood

500

The story can be interpreted as an allegory about the illusion that what things can protect people from death

Wealth, power, social status

500

Please name 3 elements of the story and their allegorical meanings 

Teacher discretion 

500

When a hero faces a challenge that results in them learning a lesson it is referred to as what part of the heroes journey?

Trial