Phianka Truong May, 2010

ELAR 4 Mrs. LoganT.A. Howard Middle School

The Iron RingLloyd Alexander

(January 30, 1924- May 17, 2007)

Tone There are many different types of *tone this book creates. A few examples

to back this up would be…• This quote, “ ‘See the *trees turn gold. All the leaves, the branches. How beautiful they are.’

‘Yes, they are very beautiful,’ Mirri said. Ashwara did not speak again. He died soon after,” creates a tone of agony. (pg.198)

• The line, “Tamar, taken by the sight, realized he had left his *buckskins with Rajaswami, the girls burst into greater fits of laughter. Stepping back into deeper water, he slipped and went floundering head over heels, making them laugh all the more,” creates a humorous tone. (pg. 38)

• The excerpt, “ ‘Set it now around you beloved’s neck. These blossoms that you picked once will never fade.’ As Mirri did so, Jaya turned to Rajaswami,” creates a loving tone. (pg. 279)

• The passage, “ Tamar barely saw the flash of the knife that Rasha seized from his belt. In the instant, he plunged in to the hilt in Ashwara’s breast, ripped it free, and made to stab again. Ashwara put out a hand as if to steady himself, then sank to one knee. Tamar sprang at Rasha,” creates a suspense. (pg. 197)

Tone• The excerpt, “Tamar broke from his embrace. The figure’s wrappings had fallen away. It was

Mirri…. Tamar struck away the *acharya’s hand. ‘Leave me,’ he said. ‘Both of you,’ “ sets a tone of hopelessness. (pg. 216- 217)

• The quotation, “ He dropped to his knees beside Mirri. Even as he stared dumbstruck, her breast began slowly to rise and fall. Her eyes opened. She smiled at him; then grinned broadly; the winked. She was Mirri, with him again,” creates a tone of hope. (pg. 221)

• The passage, “ ‘ When Nahusha finds out you let me escape, you know what he’ll do to you. I can’t let that happen’ ‘It won’t’ said the chandala. ‘Go. Now.’ ….. ‘Does gratitude need a name? Your chain’s gone. That’s all you need to know.’ ‘More than a chain binds us,’ Tamar said. ‘*Namaste. I honor you.’ ‘Namaste,’ the chandala said. ‘I honor what you might become.’ Tamar, still unwilling, turned away,” sets a tone of affection. (pg. 224)

• The passage, “ In the pool, the water roiled and churned into foam. A long shape burst up, scales glistening. The great serpent flung itself at the rakshasa,” sets a hopeful tone. (pg. 262)

Mood *Mood is what creates the book.• The quote, “ ‘*See the trees turn gold. All the leaves, the branches. How beautiful

they are.’ ‘Yes, they are very beautiful,’ Mirri said. Ashwara did not speak again. He died soon after,” creates a mood of sadness and hopelessness. (pg. 198)

• The line, “She threw aside the garland, turned on her heel, and strode back to the others,” creates a mood of intensity. (pg. 90)

• The excerpt, “He touched his lips to her hair, with its fragrance of clove and cinnamon,” creates a mood of love and sweetness. (pg. 90)

• The passage, “He sat on the grassy bank and looked across at the island where they has danced. He put his head in his hands. Half his heart rejoiced at what he had done; the other half was horrified. Beyond that, he was shocked, bitterly disappointed by Mirri’s words,” sets a mood of lost hope and sadness. (pg.162)

• The quotation, “The Naga prince halted a moment, swung his head around, and stared coldly. Tamar hesitated; he had only to swim upward into the air and sunlight, leaving Shesha below in a death trap. The serpent was watching him without a sign of surrender or plea for help, only the flat, steady gaze,” creates a mood of suspense. (pg.32)

Mood• The quotation, “ Tamar drew back. ‘ My caste is broken. Touch me and you risk

your own.’ ‘Do you think I care a rap?’ Darshan snorted. ‘I never put stock in that sort of nonsense. I’m a soldier, being alive is the only caste that means anything,’” sets a mood of hope. (pg. 230)

• The passage, “ Hashkat screamed. The hooked beak now jutting from what had been the *rakshasa’s face ripped into the monkey’s arm. Bleeding, Hashkat still clung to the raging bird, but the creature flung him to the ground,” sets the mood of hurt and pain. (pg. 262)

• The quote, “He gripped Tamar by the front of the jacked and pulled him close, until their faces nearly touched. Griva hissed and bared his teeth,” sets a suspenseful mood. (pg.261)

• The excerpt, “ He gripped Tamar’s wrist in one hand with such strength that Tamar clenched his teeth to keep from crying out; and, with the other, set a ring of black iron on his finger. ‘The emblem of your pledge,’ Jaya said. ‘Your life is my property.’ sets a mood of suspense. (pg.14)

Theme

• The quotation, “ ‘My *dharma tells me it’s better to look for a way to live instead of a way to die. It also tells me to stay with the one I love,” backs up the theme. (pg. 90)

• The excerpt, “ ‘Was it real? Was it a dream? It makes no difference. I won’t lose you for the sake of it. My promise to Jaya? I break it.’ He pulled off the ring and threw it away,” Tamar followed his heart to be with the one he loves. (pg. 157)

The passage, “They set off later that morning,” shows that Tamar is really dedicated to his Dharma and his heart. (pg. 18)The paragraph, “Next morning, Mirri announced her decision. Once they had done what they could to help Ashwara, she would ride with Tamar to Mahapura. ‘And that,’ she declared, ‘settles that.’ With only a token show of reluctance, Tamar agreed. He was, in fact, overjoyed. Rajaswami was not,” concludes that both Mirri and Tamar followed their heart even if death followed.(pg. 91)

All books have different types of *theme. And the main theme for this book is to follow your heart and do what it tells you to.

Theme• The quote, “ ‘My acharya told a lie? Not Rajaswami.’ ‘Yes. He’s not quite the same

*brahmana he used to be. It must have torn the dear old fellow apart, breaking his dharma by lying. But he did it. For your sake and mine,’” concludes that not only does Tamar and Mirri follow their heart, but also Rajaswami. (pg. 221)

• The passage, “ ‘Archarya!’ Heart leaping, Tamar ran toward him, then stopped short. He stepped back and raised his hands. ‘Archarya-no, no, keep away. You’ll break your *caste. I’m a *chandala-’ ‘My dear boy. Oh, my dear boy.’ Rajaswami did not halt but, against all warnings, flung his arms around Tamar,” finishes that nobody cares about their caste or dharma but about each other. (pg. 216)

• The quotation, “ Tamar drew back. ‘ My caste is broken. Touch me and you risk your own.’ ‘Do you think I care a rap?’ Darshan snorted. ‘I never put stock in that sort of nonsense. I’m a soldier; being alive is the only caste that means anything. And you- I should has disobeyed and never let you leave Sundari without me,’” concludes that people follow their heart and not their caste or dharma. (pg. 230)

*Characterization There are many Characters in this

book who are important to the story.

• “Of darker complexion than her companions, her skin glowed richly; her shining black hair fell to her waist.” – Mirri (pg. 39)

• “ Tamar turned to the unexpected guest waiting alone in the middle of the hall: a big, dark- bearded man, head and shoulders taller than Tamar; a hard- muscled frame under soft, silken robes. Around his neck, jewels hung from gold chains; bracelets gleamed on his wrists and forearms.” – King Jaya (pg. 5)

“ The elder serpent stretched up and spread his hood. His ancient scales were thick, heavy as armor, gleaming and twinkling as he swayed erect.” – Takshaka, King of the Serpent Realm“ He was tall, big- framed, in deerskin vest and kilt. His tawny hair hung about his shoulders; his golden eyes blazed.” – Ashwara (pg. 76)“ From the breach, a pair of sharp, gray eyes peered out; then, a broad face, wide- browed, stubble- bearded, clotted with dirt and sand. The man broke a larger opening, trust out his head, shook his burly shoulders, and stepped clear of the hill.” – Adi-Kavi. (pg. 81)

Characterization

• The quote from Tamar, “ ‘Yes. Live out your life happily, not with one who has no life to give you. Follow your own dharma,” concludes that Tamar cares for Mirri and he wishes her to live a happy life even without him. (pg. 90)

• The responding quote from Mirri, “ ‘My dharma tells me it’s better to look for a way to live instead of a way to die. It also tells me to stay with the one I love,” says that Mirri really cares for Tamar herself, and she wishes to stay with him. (pg. 90)

• The excerpt of Tamar, “ He pulled off the ring and threw it away,” concludes that he is willing to break his Dharma for a girl. (pg. 157)

• The quotation from Garuda, “ ‘Smaa! Smaa! Incompetent nitwit! …….. You’ll owe me plenty for this,’ Garuda crowed. ‘ I won’t forget. Don’t you forget, either. I’ll remind you from time to time,’ ” Tells that he holds many grudges. (pg. 164)

Literary TermsSymbolism- “A wreath of flowers is the token of a pledge that’s never broken.”

(ps.41) [The garland symbolizes love and marriage.]Personification- “His sword hissed in a long, sliding stroke.” (pg. 75) [Tamar

took out his sword and swung it quickly to where it “hissed”]Hyperbole- “I understand I’ve thrown everything away…” (pg.162) [Tamar has

given up a lot of things for his life.]Metaphor- “….her dark features frozen..” (pg.161) [This compares her

features to ice.]Alliteration- “… himself to the bank, muttering insults, and stretching the

craps from his arms and legs..” (pg.26) [This gives a(n) “s” sounding effect]Simile- “His thoughts circled like a hawk around Nahusha, and none other.”

(pg.226) [He was trying to find out what Nahusha’s plans were]

Terms from “The Iron Ring” by Lloyd AlexanderFound by: Lizzie Hang, Paige Baselice, Jessica Martinez, Phianka Truong, Esteban Almendias, and Jeremy Smith

Definitions (*)• Tone- The attitude a writer takes towards a subject or character: serious, humorous,

sarcastic, ironic, satirical, tongue-in-cheek, solemn, objective. Similar to mood.• Mood- Emotion• Theme- General idea or insight about life that a writer wishes to express.• Characterization- Method used by a writer to develop a character. The method

includes (1) showing the character's appearance, (2) displaying the character's actions, (3) revealing the character's thoughts, (4) letting the character speak, and (5) getting the reactions of others.

• “See the trees turn gold” – Ancient believing of oncoming death.• Buckskins- Clothing, especially breeches or shoes, made from buckskin.• Dharma (dahr-mah)- Goodness, virtue, righteousness, conscience; a code of proper

conduct, a deep and driving sense of obligation to do what is right.• Achraya (ah- char-yah)- teacher, scholar, spiritual counselor• Brahmana (brah- mah-nah)- Member of highest caste of priests, scholars,

philosophers

Definitions (*)• Chandala (chahn- dah- lah)- lowest, most

despised, and degraded outcast • Caste- ancient system of class structure and

social order.• Namaste (nah-mah-stay) – expression of

respect, honor, reverence; shown by pressing one’s palms together

• Rakshasa (rahk-shah- sah)- evil demon, able to assume human or animal shape.

Citation• http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/220279254_17c20cbec5.jpg (slide 11)• http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_e8UnOo2PQhY/S2qyfx5NEAI/AAAAAAAAAIM/

WOiLCdR_IXg/s400/Oahu+Purple+Sunset+wallpaper.png (slide 4)

• http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_qD9Y8Ncd3I4/Sfj1C0qkOXI/AAAAAAAACL4/yzkXMBdv-zo/s400/India.jpg (slide 6)

• http://notquiteamerican.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/globe_paper_people.jpg (slide 9)

• http://www.bgsu.edu/images/sa/img59628.jpg (slide 8)• http://www.tnellen.com/cybereng/lit_terms/index.html (Literary

Definitions)• http://www.olathe.lib.ks.us/kids/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/alexa

nder.jpg (slide 1)

• http://fineartamerica.com/images-medium/golden-trees-michael-mcferrin.jpg (slide 1)

• Heart shadown picture (slide one) Taken by Phianka Truong• Love mirror picture (slide 7) Taken by Phianka Truong

• Created by Phianka Truong\ May 7, 2010