Short Fiction: A Study of Genre

Lesson 6
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ELA

Unit 4

11th Grade

Lesson 6 of 15

Objective


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Analyze the impact of the author’s use of realistic fiction to address the same thematic question addressed by Kafka in The Metamorphosis.

Readings and Materials


  • Short Story: “The Prisoner Who Wore Glasses” by Bessie Head (from The Bedford Introduction to Literature)  pp. 686 – 689

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

The main purpose of the first paragraph is to

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The main idea of the final paragraph is that

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Writing Prompt

Characterization is a powerful tool in realistic fiction. Explain how Bessie Head uses characterization to convey her message about humanity.

Compare Kafka’s and Head’s answers to what it means to be human. With which author are you more inclined to agree? Why?

Key Questions


  • What is realistic fiction? What sets it apart from absurdism?
  • How does the narrator characterize Brille in the opening paragraphs of p. 686?
  • How does the narrator characterize the new warder?
  • How does the line “because he is not human” serve to set up the conflict of the short story? What does it mean?
  • According to the narrator, what makes Span One different from the others? Why?
  • What has been the power dynamic between Span One and their warders in the past? How does the author foreshadow on p. 686 that this dynamic is about to change?
  • Is the narrator being literal or figurative when, on p. 687, she blames the “shortsightedness of Brille” for causing trouble with the new warder? Explain.
  • What do we learn about Brille’s home life on p. 687?
  • What does Brille mean that he is learning how to be a politician on p. 688? How is this ironic?
  • How is Hannetjie different than their previous warders? How is this difference impacting the lives of the prisoners in Span One according to p. 688?
  • How does the incident with the fertilizer shift the power dynamics between Hannetjie and Brille?
  • How does this new power affect Brille? What diction establishes the author’s disapproving tone toward Brille in these paragraphs of p. 689?
  • What causes Brille to feel pity and guilt? Why? What does he realize about his own humanity?
  • Describe Brille’s transformation. Hannetjie’s?
  • How does Hannetjie surprise the prisoners of Span One?
  • How do they all benefit from this new arrangement? Who else benefits?
  • What is the author’s message about humanity? Power? Abuse of power? About human decency? About human potential?

Notes


Students should be reminded that realistic fiction includes:

  • A plot that could plausibly occur 
  • A setting that is either real or realistic and fits well with the plot
  • Characters who are convincing, thoroughly developed, and plausible

Target Task questions 3 and 4 could lend themselves to either writing or discussion or both. 

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Lesson 5

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Lesson 7

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