LCS Chapter 6

Four eyes, suitcases, books

Vocabulary words

• vigilance ( p 50)• substantiate ( p 50)• errant ( p 51)• garish (p52)• myopia (p52)• embroiled ( p 54)• masochistic ( p 54)• hod ( p 54)

Beginnings of a story

Four-Eyes had a secret suitcase, which he kept carefully hidden.

How do these words prepare the reader for the next section?

Othr works mentioned....• The Romance of the Three Kingdoms was written by Luo Guanzhong in the 14th

century. The story takes place toward the end of the Han dynasty and is part non-fiction and part myth. Although the title implies romance, it is the story of the military and political struggles between three small kingdoms. The story is immensely complex for its time and follows the plot from many different viewpoints.

• -The Dream of the Red Chamber was written by Cao Xueqin in the 18th century. It depicts the rise and decline of a wealthy clan in Beijing.

• -Jin Ping Mei was written by Lanling Xiaoxiao Sheng no earlier than the 17th century. It is a naturistic journal telling the story of a wealthy socialite who has six wives and several mistresses. The plot follows the sexual struggles of the women who are a part of his "clan.

Other works mentioned

“Book titles pored from our lips, the mysterious and exotic names evoking unknown worlds. It was like Tibetan incense, where you need only say the name Zang Xiang to smell the subtle refined frangrance and se the joss sticks sweating beads of scented moisture...”

• 1. How was Four Eyes’ situation different from Luo and the narrators’? Was he at more of a risk? What in the story makes you think that?

• 2. Why would eating meat be considered a bourgeois “crime?” What would a more appropriate meal be? ?

• 3. Look at the definition of sadistic. How were the buffalo’s actions sadistic? What are some other sadistic actions the boys have encountered?

• 4. How do you think Luo was able to deduct that books were in the suitcase? What evidence from the story, and your understanding of Four Eyes, would suggest that Four Eyes was hiding books?

• 5. What books were the boys expected Four Eyes to be hiding? Why? What evidence from the story makes you believe that?

The Buffalo.....

• Foreshadowing……• Look at the definition of sadistic. How were

the buffalo’s actions sadistic? Humour and prepares for some other actions to come.

Title of the novel is revealed..

• Balzac : French novelist who wrote realistic fiction, but often morally dubious characters.