Examples of Sentence Patterns in "The Lottery"

Being stoned to death is one of the disadvantages of the lottery. (Gerund Phrase)

By having good fortune in the draw, Tessie won the lottery. (Gerund-Object of Preposition)

To remain the lottery continuous for years is Old Man Warner’s goal. (Infinitive Phrases)

Nervous and scared, Davy reached his hand into the black box. (Adjectives Out of Order)

Apprehensively, steadily, the boy walked back to the crowd with the paper in his hand. (Adverbs Out of Order)

Motif in "The Glass Castle"

In the novel The Glass Castle the title connects to the events in the novel. The glass motif is greatly visualized throughout the book. Glass is a very delicate and easily seen through object, the family relates to glass because they are homeless and very fragile. Being homeless is fragile because they have no protection or security. The family is used to being stared at so living in a glass house wouldn’t be any different. You could also say that the family wanting to live in a glass castle is really ironic. It’s ironic because they have been judged by the way they live and by there appearance that you’d think they would want some privacy. The author’s use of literary devices really makes this story more interesting.

Ambiguity in "The Chaser"

In the short story, The Chaser the author uses the literary device ambiguity to make the plot more appealing. One example of ambiguity is the title of the novel, The Chaser. The Chaser is ambiguous because chaser means to drink a type of hard liquor and wash it down with beer. But the title also signifies the old mans hunt for Alan to buy his potions. The chaser is a perfect example of ambiguity because it has more than one meaning.

Characterization of "The Glass Castle"

Jeannette- “Second redheaded girl” (p27) “I would have been happy staying in the hospital forever” (p12) “I loved the desert, too” (p21)

Mom- “Light brown hair” (p26) “Don’t be so sentimental” (p18) “Loved the dry, crackling heat” (p21)

Dad- “Coal-black hair and chocolate brown eyes” (p27) “Dramatic storyteller” (p24) “Expert in math and physics” (p23)

Brian- “Tough little guy” (p28) “I heard a loud crunching sound and looked down. It was Brian eating the ice.” (p10) “He was a blue baby, mom said. When he was born, he couldn’t breathe” (p27)

Lori- “Curly hair the color of a new penny” (p27) “Had excellent vocabulary” (p27)
“Jeannette: Did you guys miss me?
Lori: Not really” (p12)

MCAS Short Answer Practice

“Queen Elizabeth’s Speech to Her Navy on the invasion of the Spanish Armada” shows her ability to use her female identity to spur her soldiers on. In her speech Queen Elizabeth tries to persuade her subjects being a woman doesn’t mean she doesn’t have the heart and strength to lead them. She states, “I have but have the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king”. Regardless of her appearance, she seems very powerful and motivated to be king. In general Queen Elizabeth persuades us that she is noble, and believes she has the compassion and power to rule England.

First Discussion Question for The Glass Castle

How do you feel about the way these parents are raising Brian, Lori, and Jeannette? And will it affect the kids in the long run?

Initial Impressions: The Glass Castle

Jeanette Walls’ The Glass Castle concerns the author’s recollections on her upbringing. Walls’ concentrates on the use of imagery to direct the reader into the authors past. The author draws out the setting of the opening scene clearly: “A blustery March wind whipped the steam coming out of the manholes.” While the author’s dress is burning from the cooking accident one can easily picture the flames on her from the diction: “I watched the yellow-white flames make a ragged brown line up the pink fabric of my skirt and climb my stomach.” Another image one obtains from the author is her burns from the fire: “Wadded and covered with smears of blood and yellow stuff and little pieces of burned skin.” This choice of imagery makes the reader eager to continue.