Investigate, Inquire, and Imagine

Recall

1a. What about the children and their aunt disturbs the bachelor on the train?

2a. What is the children's reaction to the story the aunt tells?

3a. What phrase does the bachelor use to describe the main character in his story?

4a. What is the children's reaction to the bachelor's story?

Interpret

1b. With whom is the bachelor more annoyed, the children or the aunt? How do you know?

2b. Why do they react this way to their aunt's story?

3b. Why does this phrase delight the children?

4b. Why do you think they react this way to the bachelor's story?

Analyze

5a. Outline the different ways in which the bachelor and his words and actions are described.

Synthesize

5b. What type of person does the bachelor appear to be at the beginning of the story? What does his story reveal about him? Do you think that keeping the children quiet for ten minutes was the bachelor's only purpose in telling the story? What other purposes might he have had?

Evaluate

6a. What do you think the theme—or central idea—is in "The Story-Teller"? How does the bachelor's story contribute to that theme?

Extend

6b. Do you agree or disagree with this idea? In what ways do you see this theme played out in contemporary society?

Understanding Literature

Narrator. What can you tell about the narrator of this story? How do you know? Give examples to support your answer.

Conflict. Between who or what is the conflict in "The Story-Teller"? How is the conflict resolved?

Frame Story. How do the inner stories support the conflict in "The Story-Teller"?

Writer's Journal

1. Write a short children's story for a younger family member or for a young boy or girl you know.

2. Write a letter to the aunt telling why you agree or disagree with her belief that the bachelor's story was "a most improper story to tell young children."

3. Imagine that you are the bachelor and that you keep a diary. Write a diary entry describing your experience on the railway coach with the children and their aunt.

Skill Builders

Vocabulary

Synonyms. A synonym is a word that has the same meaning as another word. For example, mad and angry are synonyms. Cry and weep are also synonyms. Brainstorm a synonym for each Word for Everyday Use from "The Story-Teller." Then write the synonym on the blank provided.

1. assail:

2. dissentient:

3. fatuous:

4. ferocity:

5. listless:

6. persistent:

7. petulant:

8. resolute:

9. sultry:

Language, Grammar, and Style

Advice vs. Advise. Advice is a noun meaning "guidance or recommendation regarding a decision." To advise is to "recommend or inform." Fill in the chart below by writing ten sentences, five for advice and five for advise, that uses the word advice and advise correctly.