character and setting We can't all be heroes because somebody has to sit

on the curb and clap as· they go by.

WILL ROGERS (1879-1935)

CHEROKEE-AMERICAN COWBOY,

HUMORIST, AND ACTOR

In this lesson, you'll discover who's in a story, and

when and where the events take place are very

important.

CHARACTERS are the animals, or lifelike objects in a

story. Since the author makes up the characters, they can

be anything he or she wishes, from real-life humans to

aliens to talking cars! Characters show what they're like

through their words and actions, and how they respond to

other characters.

Example:

In Persia, there lived two brothers: Casmir and Ali Baba. Brothers

they were, but as different as day and night. Casmir, the older

brother, married a rich woman, though she was often mean to him

and others. He became a wealthy merchant. But Ali Baba married a

sweet girl who was very, very poor. Love he had, but he had to

work hard cutting wood and selling it in the marketplace.

Each character, like those in Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves and other

stories in this book, has special traits, or qualities. One character

may be tall, angry, and dishonest. Another may be gentle,

thoughtful, and heroic. Having a variety of characters in a story

makes it more interesting.

The setting of a story is where and when it takes place. In Ali Baba,

it was Persia. Most stories have more than one setting. Each is

important to what happens in the story.

Example

On Saturday morning, the family packed the car and left for a

camping trip on Mount Vista. Later that day, Mr. Maxim and the

two boys left their campsite and headed up the mountain. A

sudden snowstorm swept through the area that night. And Monday

morning a distressed Mrs. Maxim walked to the nearest state

police post to report that her husband and boys were missing.

Here the settings are the family home, the campsite, and

the police station. As you read, note different characters

and settings, and how a setting can influence what

characters do or how they speak. For example, at home

Mrs. Maxim might be very calm and friendly, but at the

police station, she may stammer or cry as she speaks

very formally to the officers.

PRACTICE 1: THE FOX AND THE CROW

An Aesop's Fable Retold

(1) Crow landed high in a tree, holding in her beak a bit of meat

she'd found nearby. Below the tree walked Fox, who looked up

when he heard a flutter of leaves. He saw Crow and the meat

dangling from her beak.

(2) Fox wanted the meat, so he deceitfully said to no one at all,

"How handsome is that Crow! So beautiful and shiny are her

feathers! Ah, if only her voice were equal to her beauty, she would

be considered the Queen of Birds!"

(3) Now Crow, being very vain, heard Fox's flattery of her

appearance and was pleased. But she was also anxious to prove

him wrong about her voice. So she opened her beak and let out a

loud CAW, CAW, dropping the meat as she did. Fox quickly picked

it up and ate it. Then he looked up and laughed, "My good Crow,

your voice is alright ... it's your brain that's lacking!" And with that,

he walked away, leaving the hungry Crow to feel sorry for herself.

1. What is the setting of the story?

A. a fox's den

B. a birdhouse

C. a tree

D. a boat on the river

2. Fox gets the meat from Crow because one of his character

traits is being

A. helpful.

B. dishonest.

C. sad.

D. a good cook.

3. Which is NOT one of Crow's character traits?

A. having feathers

B. being vain

C. having a loud voice

D. being smart

Literary Elements Character –a person portrayed in a

drama, novel, or other artistic piece. Often characters are listed in the cast at the beginning of the script. This list often includes a short description next to each character’s name.

main (major) character – who the drama is centered around

minor character – less important characters who take part in

the drama

Occasionally one of the characters is a narrator, who sets the

scene for the drama and may comment on what happens.

Foil A foil is a character

who provides a

strong contrast to

another character.

Thus helping to

make these qualities

apparent to the

reader

A foil may emphasize another character’s distinctive traits or make a character look better by comparison.

Characterization Acting is the use of face, body, and

voice to portray character

Character motivation: the reason or reasons for a character’s behavior; an incentive or inducement for further action for a character

Character analysis: in responding to dramatic art, the process of examining how the elements of drama—literary, technical, and performance—are used

empathy: the capacity to relate to the feelings of another.

A comedy is a dramatic work that is light and often

humorous or satirical in tone and that usually contains a

happy resolution of the thematic conflict; ends happily.

The plot usually centers on a romantic conflict.

boy meets girl boy loses girl boy wins girl

Comedy

The main characters in a comedy could be anyone:

nobility servants townspeople

Comedy

• Comic complications always

occur before the conflict is

resolved.

• In most cases, the play

ends with a wedding.

Comedy

Farce – a type of

exaggerated comedy that

contains an absurd plot,

ridiculous situations, and

humorous dialogue. The

main purpose of farce is

to keep the audience

laughing.

Comedy

Modern Comedy Modern Comedies

In modern comedies, the genders in this

romantic plot pattern sometimes are reversed.

Modern Drama

Modern Plays

• may be tragedy, comedy, or a mixture of the two

• usually focuses on personal issues

• usually is about ordinary people

Modern playwrights often experiment with

unconventional plot structures.

Modern Drama

long flashbacks music

visual projections of a character’s private thoughts

petition – noun; a formally drawn request, often bearing

the names of a number of those making the request, that is

addressed to a person or group of persons in authority or

power, soliciting some favor, right, mercy, or other benefit

clench – verb; to close tightly; to grasp firmly; grip

composure – noun; serene, self-controlled state of

mind; calmness; tranquility

provocation – noun; the act of provoking;

something that incites, instigates, angers, or irritates.

incapacitated – verb; unable to act, respond, or

the like; to deprive of ability, qualification, or strength;

to make incapable or unfit

Vocabulary

3. ____ incapacitated A. saddened

B. distracted

C. surprised

D. disabled

1. ____ clench

A. strike

B. grip

C. rub

D. crack 2. ____ composure

A. calmness

B. interest

C. position

D. honesty

4. ____ petition A. payment

B. demand

C. request

D. delivery

5. ____ provocation A. lie

B. compliment

C. production

D. annoyance

1. The banker is _______________ by gout, which swells his

right leg.

2. The banker tries hard to keep his _______________ even

though the woman drives him crazy.

3. The woman visits the banker to make a _______________

on behalf of her husband.

4. Whenever the woman shrieked, the banker would

_______________ the arms of the chair.

5. The woman claims that she will faint from the slightest

_______________ .

clench composure incapacitated

petition provocation

Vocabulary

incapacitated

composure

petition

clench

provocation

Vocabulary

1. clench / release

A. Synonym

B. Antonym

4. composure / agitation

A. Synonym

B. Antonym

3. petition / application

A. Synonym

B. Antonym

2. incapacitated / disabled

A. Synonym

B. Antonym

5. provocation / irritation

A. Synonym

B. Antonym

PRACTICE 2: AN OPEN DOOR

(1) "Oh, well," I sighed as I plopped down at the kitchen table.

"There goes a great chapter in my life!"

(2) Mom looked up from the batter she was mixing. "What's the

matter? Why are you so down in the dumps?" she asked.

(3) "That was Mrs. Barberi on the phone. I didn't make the debate

team this year!" I grumbled. "I don't know why I didn't do better!"

(4) "Come on, Sam, don't be so hard on yourself!" Mom replied.

"You know there are money problems everywhere. The school

had to limit funds for some programs and the debate team was

cut in half this year."

(5) "I know ... ," I sighed. "But I still wanted to make it. I like

debating, and getting to go to other schools around the state to

compete is a lot of fun! I met a lot of new kids that way!"

(6) Mom smiled. "I know you did, but like people say, When life

shuts a door in your face, another door opens"!

(7) "I think it's a window, Mom," I said. "If a door closes a window

opens."

(8) "Whatever," Mom laughed. "The point is that something else

will come along maybe even better, 'cause you don't know what

lies beyond that door … I mean, window!"

(9) We were interrupted by the sound of the phone ringing in the

living room. "I'll get it," I said. "It's probably Chris wanting to tell

me about all the fun stuff the rest of the debate team will do

without me this year!"

(10) I picked up the phone, expecting to hear Chris's voice. But it

was someone else. I listened attentively, thanked the caller, and

went into the kitchen again.

(11) "You look funny ... who was it ... is something wrong?" asked

Mom, and she jumped up from the table.

(12) "Not wrong, just strange!" I replied. "That was Mr. Diaz, from

school."

(13) "So? What did he want?" Mom asked anxiously.

(14) "Me," I replied with a smile. "He wants me to take the lead in

the school play! He said I was awesome at the auditions! I'd

almost forgotten I tried out this year ... it was way before the

holidays! Mom ... I got the lead!"

(15) "You see, Sam," Mom said as she grabbed me and we

whirled in a circle. "Another door opened and you'll start a whole

new chapter of your life!"

(16) "Window, Mom," I sighed, "window!"

4. The main setting for this story is

A. a school.

B. a hallway.

C. a living room.

D. a kitchen.

5. What is the other setting of the story?

A. a school

B. a hallway

C. a living room

D. an auditorium

6. Which best describes Sam at the beginning of the story?

A. excited about getting on the debate team

B. depressed about not getting a part in the play

C. excited about trying out for the play

D. depressed about not getting on the debate team

7. Which is NOT a character trait of Sam's mother?

A. concerned

B. annoyed

C. sympathetic

D. encouraging

8. Which best describes a trait both characters have?

A. sense of humor

B. distrust

C. disgust

D. jealousy

Irony Irony – the contrast between what is expected and

what actually exists or happens. Writers use

different types of irony for different reasons. Two

types of irony are

•situational irony – the contrast between what a

character or reader expects and what actually

happens

•verbal irony – or sarcasm – the contrast between

what someone says and what he or she means

Use the chart on the next slide to explore and

categorize examples of irony.

Irony of Situation – an event that directly

contradicts the expectations of the characters,

reader, or audience (There may be a great

difference between the purpose of a particular

action and the result.)

Irony – contrast between what is expected and what actually

exists or happens. Exaggeration, sarcasm, and understatement

are techniques writers use to express irony.

Dramatic Irony – a contradiction between what a character

thinks and what the reader or audience knows to be true

Verbal Irony – Words used to suggest the

opposite of their usual meaning

Watching it rain, he said, "Lovely day for a picnic."

A contradiction between what the character thinks and what the reader or audience knows to be true. The reader or audience may see a character’s mistakes or misunderstandings that the character is unable to see himself.

A contradiction between what the character thinks and what the reader or audience knows to be true. The reader or audience may see a character’s mistakes or misunderstandings that the character is unable to see himself.

A contradiction between what the character thinks and what the reader or audience knows to be true. The reader or audience may see a character’s mistakes or misunderstandings that the character is unable to see himself.

Irony

What is Expected or What

seems to be said

What happens or What is meant Type of Irony

Mr. Kistunov expects he

can solve the woman’s

problem if they approach it

“sensibly and quietly.”

They approach the problem absurdly

and loudly. K is tricked by the woman

into paying what her husband is owed

even thought the man never worked for

the bank.

situational

“I know full well how your

husband must be

suffering,” K seems to be

saying that as someone

who is ill himself, he can

sympathize.

K means that he understands how her

husband must have been driven to

nervous illness, because MS is driving

him crazy, too.

verbal

After K gives the woman

money despite the fact her

husband has never worked

at the bank, the woman will

be satisfied and will leave.

The woman says she will return

tomorrow for a letter of

recommendation. situational

Farce – The main

purpose of farce is to

keep the audience

laughing. Its plot and

situations are unlikely,

and its characters and

dialogue are exaggerated

for comic effect.

Use the chart on the next

slide to note elements of

farce in the play.

Comedy

Farce

Twist in Plot Lines of Dialogue Absurd Situations

Mrs. Schukin pulls out a

fistful of hair

After Mrs. Schukin screams,

Kistunov says, “You’re not going to

scream again, are you?”

Mrs. Schukin is involved in a

strange feud with her sister.

Mrs. Schukin wants her

husband’s pay from a place in

which he never worked.

Mrs. Schukin accuses them of

beating her when they are just

trying to get her out of the office.

Mrs. Schukin jumps on the desk

and curses Kistunov’s business.

Kistunov gives Mrs. Schukin

money just to get her out of the

office.

Kistunov’s hair starts coming out.

Mrs. Schukin says she will come

back for a letter of

recommendation.

MS says that she would break her

husband’s arm if he borrowed

without her knowledge-

MS says she can’t keep anything

down, and that she has had the

same cup of coffee 3 times today

Mrs. Schukin calls herself

defenseless.

K uses several similes and

metaphors as he tells her how

defenseless he views her.

After K compares her to plague S

asks if he isn’t going to help her

MS changes her tone as soon as

K agrees to give her $ even tho

she has been cursing bank from

Mrs. Schukin accuses Kistuov of

not reading the doctor’s

certificate when he’s just read it.

Mrs. Schukin says she is sorry if

she’s cause him pain, then she

hurts him by embracing his foot.

Kistunov urges his assistant to

beat her.

Kistunov tries to kick her and

falls down.

Kistunov beats his own leg in the

end.

1.What were your feelings about the characters at the

end of the play? Explain your answer.

2.What is the matter with Kistunov’s foot?

3.What does Mrs. Schukin do when she jumps up on

Kistunov’s desk?

4.What does Mrs. Schukin ask for as she leaves?

5.How would you characterize the mood of “A

Defenseless Creature?”

Some might feel sympathy for Mr. Kistunov;

others might feel that he was weak.

He has gout.

She starts ringing the bell on his desk

and places a curse on the bank.

She asks for a letter of recommendation.

The mood is comical, slapstick, ironical.

6.Why does Mrs. Schukin go to the bank?

7.How would you describe her relationship with her

sister?

8.What different things does Mrs. Schukin try in order

to convince the banker to give her money?

She wants to get some money that is owed her husband.

It is not an easy relationship. She tried to help her

sister, but things got out of hand, and now her

sister is demanding their goat.

She complains of her troubles, she shows the certificate to

prove her husband is sick, and she finally lets go and

jumps on the desk cursing the bank wildly.

9.Why do you think the banker finally agrees to her

demand?

10.Why does the banker beat his leg and tear at his hair

at the end?

He is completely irritated, in pain, and

willing to pay the money to get rid of her.

She has said she will return the next day.

He can’t bear the thought.

PRACTICE 3: A STUDY IN SCARLET

Excerpted and adapted from the story by A. Conan Doyle

(1) It was 1878 and I had neither kith nor kin in England; much less

money. I stayed for some time in a London hotel but needed to

move to less expensive housing. One day, I ran into Stamford, a

friend from the army. "Dr. Watson,” he said, "What have you been

up to?"

(2) "Looking for lodgings,” I answered.

(3) "That's strange,' he remarked. "A fellow I know is looking for

someone to go halves with him in some nice rooms which were

too expensive for him.”

(4) "By Jove!” I cried. "I am the very man for him!”

(5) Stamford looked rather strangely at me. “You don't know

Sherlock Holmes yet,” he said. "Perhaps you would not care for

him as a constant companion.”

(6) "Why what is there against him?” I asked.

(7) "Oh, I didn't say there was anything against him. As far as I

know he is a decent fellow enough, just a little … odd."

(8) Stamford took me to the hospital where he worked to meet this

Sherlock Holmes. "Dr. Watson, Mr. Sherlock Holmes,” said

Stamford, introducing us.

(9) "How are you?" Holmes said cordially, gripping my hand with

strength. "You have been in Afghanistan, I observe."

(10) "How on earth did you know that?" I asked in astonishment.

(11) "Never mind," said he, chuckling to himself.

(12) Holmes seemed delighted at the idea of sharing rooms. "I

have my eye on a place in Baker Street," he said. "Occasionally I

do experiments. Would that annoy you?"

(13) "By no means;" I said. "I get up at all sorts of hours, and am

extremely lazy."

(14) "Oh, that's all right!" he cried, with a merry laugh. "I think we

may consider the thing as settled-that is, if the rooms are agreeable

to you."

(15) They were, so we moved into 221B, Baker Street. As we

settled in, Holmes said, "You were surprised when I said, on our first

meeting, that you had come from Afghanistan." (16) "You were told, no doubt," I declared.

(17) "Nothing of the sort," he replied. "I arrived at the conclusion

through observation. You are a doctor, and I concluded by the tan of

your skin that you were just back from the eastern part of the world.

Your face showed that you had recently been sick, and your left arm

was injured. I asked myself, 'Where in the east could an English

army doctor have got his arm wounded?' Clearly in Afghanistan."

(18) "It is simple enough as you explain it," I said, smiling.

9. What is the main setting of this story?

A. London, England, in 1978

B. London, Ontario, in 1789

C. London, England, in 1878

D. London, England, in 1808

10. Who are the two main characters in the story?

A. Dr. Watson and Stamford

B. Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes

C. Sherlock Holmes and Stamford

D. none of the above

11. Which best describes the character of Sherlock Holmes?

A. unreasonable

B. gloomy

C. observant

D. dim-witted

12. Holmes proves he's a considerate person when he

A. sees that Watson needs money and offers a loan.

B. notices Watson's bad arm and offers him a cane.

C. asks if Watson would like to have lunch.

D. asks if doing experiments would annoy Watson.

13. In which setting does Holmes explain how he knew about

Watson and Afghanistan?

A. a hotel coffee shop

B. a Baker Street apartment

C. a London hospital

D. an army depot