Irony. Irony is a difference between appearance and reality. A person saying one thing and doing the opposite is an example of irony. A person believing one thing will happen when something different is about to occur is another example. Look for examples of irony as you read the story.
Theme. A theme is a central idea in a literary work. As you read “The Fan Club,” try to find the central ideas in the story. What important ideas does the story convey?
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• Social Studies Connection. Social groups often cause feelings of peer pressure among individuals seeking or wanting to maintain acceptance in the group. When a person is highly motivated to belong to a group, he or she is more likely to conform to the group’s standards of conduct. An individual’s personality also may change in different social settings. A person might behave loudly and obnoxiously with one group but act quietly and timidly with another, for example.
• Intolerance, prejudice, and discrimination are words that describe hostile feelings and actions toward a person or persons based on unjustified opinions. What are some reasons people might act in this way? What reactions may occur among people who experience the effects of intolerance, prejudice, and discrimination?
Create a flow chart to keep track of the actions and events in “The Fan Club.” At the end of the chart describe what you believe to be the main idea of the story.
What is more important— belonging to a group or standing by your beliefs?
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