1a. What are some of the forms and names Ra took? What is the one thing that could take away this god's power? What is beginning to happen to Ra?
2a. Who is Isis? What dream has she had? What does she want from Ra?
3a. What does Isis create to harm Ra? From what does she create it? What does Isis say Ra must do in order to be cured?
4a. The gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt possess both human and divine qualities. What human qualities do Ra and Isis have? What god-like qualities do they have?
5a. How do you think Ra feels at the end of the story? Do you think he realizes he has been tricked by Isis? How can you tell? How do you think Ra would have responded if Isis had asked him directly for what she wanted, rather than tricking him? Explain.
1b. Is Ra a powerful god? Why, or why not?
2b. What does Isis's plan reveal about her character?
3b. What does the fact that the gods work against one another say about them? Which god seems to be the most powerful? most clever?
4b. What effect do you think seeing a god at his or her weakest, or most human, had on his or her worshippers?
5b. Why did Ra trust Isis? If you were Ra, what would you do next?
Inciting Incident. What is the inciting incident in "The Secret Name of Ra"? Does the inciting incident make you sympathize with one character more than another? If so, with which character do you sympathize, and why?
Motive. What is Isis's motive for harming Ra? Do you think her motive can be justified? Why, or why not?
Using a plot pyramid diagram like the one below, identify the elements of plot shown on the pyramid. Refer to the Handbook of Literary Terms to review definitions of any terms. Then show which events in the story mark the exposition, climax, and other elements.
1. Imagine that you are Isis and you would like to share with your son how you were able to harm Ra. Write a recipe for how to make a clay snake. Refer to a cookbook for the format of a recipe, and make up the quantities of each ingredient.
2. Suppose a friend asked you to explain the main plot of "The Secret Name of Ra." Write a summary of the story, including only the most important details. Use informal language.
3. Imagine that Horus has been born and is now set to take power from Ra. Write a brief continuation of "The Secret Name of Ra," using your imagination to describe what happens next.
Analyzing Names. Ra had a secret name that he could not reveal. We never learn what that secret name was. With a partner, go to the library and find a book that lists names. Select two names that you think would be appropriate for Ra's secret name, based on their meaning or origin. Then, share the names you selected with the class. After everyone has shared their ideas, hold a class vote to choose the name that best suits Ra.
Name 1 Meaning:
Name 2 Meaning:
Using Words in Context. Write a modern story, using all of the following words from "The Secret Name of Ra." Be creative in integrating all the terms in a way that makes sense. After you have finished your story, read it aloud to the class.
Working with Quotation Marks. Review the Language Arts Survey 3.86, "Quotation Marks." Then edit each sentence below for errors in use of quotation marks, other punctuation, or capitalization. If the sentence has no errors, write Correct.
Example Isis asked, whatever is the matter? Isis asked, "Whatever is the matter?"
1. Ra said that he had been wounded by "Something deadly".
2. Geraldine Harris has written a novel called "The Prince of the Godborn".
3. This story about ancient Egypt is called The Secret Name of Ra.
4. "Now I am colder than water and hotter than fire," complained the Sun God. "My eyes darken. I cannot see the sky and my body is soaked by the sweat of fever."
5. "My favorite story is "The Secret Name of Ra," Tony said. "Ancient Egypt really interests me".
6. Isis asked Ra to tell her his secret name.
7. Ra, also known as the Sun God, was an Egyptian deity.
8. 'Do you like stories about ancient times'? asked Enrique.
9. I would like to visit the pyramids in Egypt some day said Eleni.
10. "Let me know when you go Egypt, so I can go with you"! exclaimed Martin.
Geography of Egypt: In this selection, Ra points out that he is responsible for flooding the mighty Nile River. Research the Nile River and the geography of Egypt to determine how the land itself affected the ancient people who inhabited it. What relationship did ancient Egyptians have with the Nile? What effect did the Nile have on the cycle of life in Egypt? When you have finished your research, write a brief essay to hand in to your teacher. Include any maps or photographs you encounter in your research. Research Log. Use this log to keep track of the sources you use, the information you find, and your reactions to what you learn.
Books and print sources:
Internet sources:
What relationship did ancient Egyptians have with the Nile? What effect did the Nile have on the cycle of life in Egypt? When you have finished your research, write a brief essay to hand in to your teacher. Include any maps or photographs you encounter in your research.
