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1. How does de Maupassant describe Mathilde Loisel? How does this affect your opinion

of her?

2. What was her motivation in buying a fine dress and borrowing what she thought was an expensive piece of jewelry?

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1. Were you surprised by the ending of the story? If not, at what point did you know what was going to happen? How does Jackson foreshadow the ending? Conversely, how does Jackson lull us into thinking that this is just an ordinary story with an ordinary town?

2. What is the ritual of the scapegoat? In what way might Tessie be considered a scapegoat?

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1. Who would you say is the protagonist of the story? The antagonist?

2. Bradbury repeats multiple times, “Stay on the path.” What could the path symbolize?

3. What might “the sound of thunder” symbolize?

4. What do you think is the theme of the story? Bradbury’s lesson for us?

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1. How does the “glum-faced” man’s actions contribute to the development of a theme of the story?

2. What is the symbolism of "hearts and hands"? What does this tell about the lesson of the story?

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1. What character trait applies the most to the Fir Tree? Why?

2. Explain what happens to the fir tree at the end of the short story. Why do you think the author picked this ending? What lesson or message does it convey to the reader?

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1. What was Jerry proving to himself by swimming through the tunnel? What was he trying to prove to the boys? Did he swim through the tunnel for self-accomplishment or for the boys to think he was cool? How do you know?

2. At the end of the story why is going to the bay "no longer of the least importance" to Jerry? Did this character grow and mature? Why or why not? Use text from the story to support your answer.

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1. Discuss the significance of words that begin with capital letters in "The Library of Babel."

2. Why did Borges name the story "The Library of Babel"? What does this name foreshadow about the story?

3. What role does gender play in "The Library of Babel"?

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1. What details of the setting are directly stated, and what details are suggested? Why do you thing Jimenez does not directly state all the details? How does this change his writing strength? Does this allow for imagination?

2. Since this is a memoir, Jimenez uses the first-person perspective. In so doing, he allows us to know more about his thoughts and feelings. How does this perspective enhance the reader's knowledge about and connection to his life? Would it have helped you understand more if the perspective was shared among his family members so that you knew about their thoughts and emotions, as well? Why or why not?

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1. What clues exist early in the story that help the reader to better understand the ending? Find three quotes from anywhere earlier in the story that subtly foreshadow the twist in Jackson’s ironic ending. Explain how these quotes (though perhaps easily overlooked during the first time they are read) help the reader to suspect the ending?

2. By the end of page one, the reader has begun to formulate an impression of Laurie, based primarily on indirect characterizations. Explain this kindergartner’s personality and support your opinion using three quotes of indirect characterization from the story.

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1. Margot moved from Earth to Venus. How can major changes in people’s lives affect their views and the way they think about the world?

2. The children robbed Margot of a chance to experience the sun when they locked her in the closet. What were their motivations, and why did they do that to her?