The document provides an overview of short story elements and terms that will be used to analyze Edgar Allan Poe's short story "The Tell-Tale Heart". It discusses key elements like plot, character, conflict, theme, and point of view. It also outlines classroom activities where students will review these elements as applied to "The Tell-Tale Heart" by discussing questions in groups and completing an individual question. Homework involves writing a paragraph using underlined words from the story.

1. December 8, 2010Literature: “The Tell-Tale Heart”

2. HousekeepingAny more novels to return?School Christmas Party on Monday 12-2Class “Party” Wednesday, Dec. 15thbring foodmusic?I will bring some games

3. Intro to Short StoriesUsually contain a limited number of charactersFocus on one main character, or protagonist, who faces one or more conflictsThe plot (events) occurs during a short period of time.The outcome or resolution usually has a positive or negative impact on the main character.

4. Intro to Short StoriesThe outcome or resolution usually has a positive or negative impact on the main character.As a result the character may undergo a change in how they see themselves or the world.The author’s theme is usually related to his or her attitude towards the characters and what happens to them.

5. Intro to Short StoriesSome simplified definitions of some the terms we will be usingsetting – time and location of the storynarrator – the person telling the storypoint of view – how the narrator tells the storyFirst Person – the main character tells the story using “I” Third Person – another character or an outside observer tells the story using he/she/they

6. Intro to Short Storiescharacter(s) – who is involved in the storyprotagonist – main characterflat/round – these terms describe how much we know about the characterstatic/dynamic – these terms describe whether or not the character changes as a result of the story events

7. Intro to Short Storiesconflict – the struggle that creates the dramainternal conflict – chracter vs. him/her self (struggle within a character)external conflict – character vs. an outside force: (another character, nature, or society)plot – the key events of the storytheme – the writer’s general message about people and/or the world

8. Follow-up on “The Tell-Tale Heart”Are there words or phrases we should talk about?

9. Follow-up on “The Tell-Tale Heart”2. What parts of the story are unclear or confusing? (Again, briefly)

10. “The Tell-Tale Heart” Literary Elements ActivityYou will need:“The Tell Tale Heart” Story and QuestionsToday’s handout: “Reviewing Story Elements”Previous handout: “Fiction Terms”

11. “The Tell-Tale Heart” Literary Elements ActivityIn your assigned group, work through the questions on “Reviewing Story Elements.” (Not for marks; for study purposes)Discuss how each element applies to the story “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Refer to the “Fiction Terms” handout as needed.Refer to the information on Point of View on the bottom of p. 143 of “The Tell Tale Heart” questions handout.Ask me for help/clarification as needed.If you disagree with your group, make note on your sheet and we will discuss Time: 30 minutes

12. Class Review of Literary ElementsPOV First person, yes – we learn about his personality; we know more about his behaviour, his fears, things that only he could know; but, because this point of view is subjective, what we know about other characters is limited – we have to trust what he tells us.He is an unreliable narrator (what he tells us may not actually be true.)

13. Class Review of Literary ElementsSetting - Yes. Night-time – darkness gives the narrator the opportunity to commit the crime; symbolically darkness fits the moodthe location of the bedroom in the “empty” old house where the two characters live (opportunity)

14. Class Review (Cont’d.)Characters flat or round – could be argued either waydynamic or static –probably static – he probably hasn’t changed his beliefs about the murder – he is telling the story to someone after the murder has happened and after he has confessed to the police, yet he is still proud of his actions

15. Class Review (Cont’d.)Conflict external -narrator vs. old man – his eye-narrator vs. the policeinternal-narrator likes the old man but hates his eye-narrator is both proud of and guilty about his crimeForeshadowing-I can tell you how calmly . . . -It is impossible to say how first the idea entered my brain, but once considered it haunted me day and night. (You know he is going to tell you something dangerous/bad)

16. Class Review (Cont’d.)Outcomepositive – he did what he wanted to donegative – he had to suffer the consequencesThemeCriminals cannot handle their guilt easily.If you do something evil you will suffer the consequences.

17. BREAK

18. How to Answer Literature QuestionsRefer to your handout “How to Answer Literature Questions”Rememberbegin with a complete sentence that restates the questionwrite in the present tenseuse names the first time you refer to the author, a character, or the storystate your answer in your own words then give support by paraphrasing or quoting from the story

19. For Discussion, p. 143 At the opening of the story, the narrator is trying to convince someone of his sanity. What examples does he use to demonstrate his sanity? To whom do you think he is speaking? (Answer is a sample. Other examples and explanations may also be acceptable).A: The narrator gives several examples to try to convince us he is not insane. For example, he says “Observe how healthily, how calmly, I can tell you the whole story,” p. 135. Also, on p. 136 he says “You fancy me made. Madmen know nothing, but you should have seen me.” He then goes on to describe the steps he takes. I think the narrator is talking to himself, trying to convince himself that he has no guilt and that he is not made. It is like he is confessing to himself.

20. In-class Activity: For Discussion, p. 143 Complete Question 2 on your own. (5 marks)Title your work “The Tell-Tale Heart” – For Discussion. Write your name on the top right hand corner.Due at the end of class.IF YOU MISSED THIS CLASS, it is up to you to arrange a time to do an alternate question.

21. HomeworkFor Monday, Dec. 13th /10 marksWrite a paragraph using the underlined words from the story “The Tell-Tale Heart.” Your paragraph must use the correct form (n., v., adj., adv.), and show the meaning of the word fullyChallenge Yourself! If you haven’t started the above assignment yet, consider doing the first writing topic under “For Writing” using the underlined words.