October 5th, 2011

Literature: Introduction to FictionShort Story: “The Wedding Guest”

Housekeeping

• Due today: “All Grown Up and Still in Tow,” Questions 3 & 5

• Website: Dominic, Iman, Maha• Marked Work: “All Grown Up . . .” Vocabulary

Paragraph

Vocabulary Activity

• Each group will be assigned a word.

• Together, write a sentence for the word that

– uses the word correctly (meaning and part of speech)

– shows the meaning of the word

• Each member of the group should be prepared to share their sentence with the class.

“The Wedding Guest” - Vocabulary• gossip (n.)

– (1) the discussion of rumours or private facts about other people’s lives, or (2) A person who spreads rumours or private facts about others.

– (v.) the act of discussing rumour

(n.) Usually we have some columns in the newspaper which are called gossip.Nowadays the most interesting part of media is gossip about celebrities.

(v.) When I was on the bus two people were gossiping about the wedding of their friend.Many of the entertainment reporters were gossiping after the royal wedding.

• flick (v.)– to make a light, quick movement

I flicked the dust from the light bulb to make my manager happy.

“The Wedding Guest” - Vocabulary

• postpone (v.)– to cancel an event temporarily; to put off for the future

I postponed going to the gym during my first pregnancy.

• cluck (v.)– to make a noise which shows praise or appreciation

When she clucked I realized that she was enjoying what I was saying.

“The Wedding Guest”• fluster (v.), flustered (adj.)

– to make (v.) or become (adj.) nervous or upset

(v.) My teacher changed the deadline for the final assignment and I was flustered when I heard about that.I fluster easily when I have to speak in public.I will fluster if I have to give that speech.I flustered over that question about “fluster.”

(adj.) You keep me flustered by your reaction to my action.The flustered student could not do her presentation.I was flustered about my job today.

• rheumatism (n.)– a form of arthritis

My mother has suffered rheumatism for many years.My mother suffers from rheumatism.My mother has rheumatism.My mother is rheumatic (adj.)rheumatoid (adj.) arthritis

“The Wedding Guest”• harmless (adj.)

– not causing, or not able to cause, harm.

My dog is harmless and will not bite you.

• crumple (v.)– to become wrinkled, to collapse

The old lady karate teacher crumpled the young gangster and threw him to the ground.

I crumpled up the newspaper and threw it into the fire.

(adj.) Often I feel comfortable wearing crumpled clothes.

“The Wedding Guest”

Before Reading• What does the title suggest?

• What about the picture?

• Read the excerpt under the title.

• Does this change your expectation?

• The author’s name is Lois Simmie (female)

– writes mostly short fiction and children’s literature

– born in Saskatchewan in 1932

– grew up in small towns

– father was a grain elevator agent

“The Wedding Guest” - Discussion

• p. 33• What point of view is this story told from?• What do you notice about how she speaks?• How has life changed since William died?

Who is William?• What is your impression of the narrator?• What details reveal her personality?• “I haven’t sunk so low . . .”

“The Wedding Guest” - Discussion

• p.34 (after 3rd paragraph)• How are the narrator and Mrs. Clarke’s lives

different?• How are they the same?• How do you think it feels?

“The Wedding Guest” - Discussion• p.35In what ways is the narrator hypocritical?• She says the cleaning lady is a gossip but she is a gossip• She accuses the cleaning lady of spying but she is always watching everyone else• She seems to have given up on making friends/having coffee but then she

“makes friends” with Mrs. Clarke so she can have sweets (baking).• She ignores her problems but gets involved with other people’s business.• She says “There isn’t a mean bone in my body” but she was very mean to Mrs.

Clarke>

How is the final line ironic?• She says that Mrs. Clarke’s situation isn’t any of her business after she has gotten

involved.

Intro to Short Stories

Handouts:• Fiction Terms• Reviewing Story Elements

HomeworkFor Wednesday–

1. Online grammar (Sentence Types) and read textbook p. 84-88

2. Re-read “The Wedding Guest” again on your own. Make brief notes on the handout “Reviewing Story Elements” and be prepared to discuss the story in more detail next Wednesday.

3. Write a paragraph using the following words from the story “The Wedding Guest”: gossip (n.) , flustered (adj.) postpone (v.), harmless (adj.), crumple (v.).

Your paragraph must – use the correct form (n., v., adj., adv.), and – show the meaning of the word fully

For examples, review how the word is used in the story, look at samples sentences in a dictionary (but do not use them in your paragraph!).