3vbg wk 7 lesson 1

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 3

English week 7 lesson 1

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Lesson goals

You can point out the different stages of Freytag's pyramid in the short story 'The Test'.

You understand more clearly what the stages really signify. 

We'll do this in class

You have read the short story 'The Test' by Angela Gibbs.

If not, please leave the classroom and start reading. Come back when you've read it.

The rest of the class will continue without you.

No separate rooms, everyone answers when possible.

By the way...

There's no such thing as ONE correct answer. 

LessonUp generates a table of 'winners', but there's no such thing as a winner for this. 

Feel free to answer any way you like.

Who are the main characters in the story?
Where are they?
What are they doing?
What do you think is happening?
Any vital extra info?

Exposition

Marian, Mrs. Ericson. Marian is of Afro-American origin, Mrs. Ericson is her (white) employer. Marian and Mrs. Ericson are on their way in Marian's car, Marian is driving. Marian will take a test that will grant her a driver's license. Marian and Mrs. Ericson are fond of each other.

What happens, exactly, which causes the action to rise?
What causes a problem?
Where in the story do you, as a reader, feel that something is about to happen or go wrong?

Inciting Incident

‘It takes four mistakes to flunk you,’ Marian said. ‘I don’t remember doing all the things the inspector marked down on my blank.’

Apparently, the last time Marian flunked her test, the reasons were unclear, maybe even unfair. This statement shows the reader that something might be wrong. Tension starts to build: what’s going on?

Where do you, as a reader, feel that the tension is building?
What happens which causes the tension to rise?

The rising action in this story is not very long. Where does it start and finish?

Rising action

From the inciting incident towards the moment where Marian says ‘Damn you!’. 

This is when the reader learns the inspector thinks Afro-Americans are lesser persons. Chances are he'll flunk her because she's black.

Which incident tells you that the tension in the story is at its peak?
What happens that makes the characters deviate from their first intention(s)?

Climax

Marian’s foot slips off the pedal, the engine stalls, the inspector makes a remark, Marian cries ‘Damn you!’

After this moment, the tension falls. 

Where does the tension in the story start to decrease?
Where does falling action start and finish?
What happens during this (short) period in the story?

Falling action

From ‘Damn you’ towards “Marian stared down at the wheel and her lip trembled”.

The inspector changes his demeanor, Marian understands she’s going to flunk again.

What resolves the problem? What happens to make the reader understand the story is about to end?

Resolution

“Marian stared down at the wheel and her lip trembled.”

The reader now knows Marian has, in fact, flunked her test.

How does the story end? What happens to make sure the reader understands what the whole story has been about without telling?

Denouement

Marian nodded. ‘In a sort of different way’.

The reader now knows that the racist remarks from the inspector have made Marian lose her cool, which made the inspector flunk her by crossing all blanks. He did so, because she stood up to him, not because she didn’t drive well.

Question

How do you feel about Marian? 

About Mrs. Ericson? 

About the inspector?

Her short story The Test was first published in The New Yorker, issue dated June 15, 1940.  

About your work...

Still to hand in (some if not all of you):
exercise 3B and exercise 4.

Do you really need to hand in the grammar exercises?

NO!

Only if and when you're unsure about your understanding of the subjects. 

I now know what the different stages in Freytag's pyramid are in The Test.

😒🙁😐🙂😃

I understand more clearly what the stages really signify.

0100

Thank you!

Next lesson:

Vocab test!! 

Practice often, not long.