Mini Web-Quest: The Anastasia Syndrome

Students are to use the research links provided to respond to the following tasks:

Anastasia-

When was she born?
When and how did she die?
What is her title?
What are some of the rumors surrounding her death?
What is her connection to Anna Anderson?
Why was she named Anastasia?
What was her relationship to Rasputin?


Cromwell-


What was his life span?
What is he famous for?
Why is he a controversial figure?
What happened to his body after his death? Why?

Best Seller

The students will be completing the following assignments over the next 2 days:

“Best Seller” chapters 1-2

Vocab-
Tepid
Philistine

How does the narrator know Pescud? Describe Pescud.

What is Pescud’s opinion of best sellers? Be specific.

Who is Trevelyan?

List 2 problems Pescud has with the story he is reading.

“Best Seller” chapters 3-4

How does Pescud know what trains the young lady took and where they went through?

What is important about the girl’s family?

What is peculiar about the mansion?

What do the racial comments tell you about the time this story was written?

Why does the narrator call him Trevelyan? Why is this ironic?

A Sacrifice Hit

Students completed the following assignment today:

“A Sacrifice Hit”-20pts

Vocab-

Expound
Benignantly
Minerva
Languishing

What is the editor’s strategy for selecting manuscripts for his magazine? What are some potential problems with this?

Explain why the scene with the janitor having a fight with his wife is included?

How far does Slayton go to get his book published?

What literary term does this story utilize to create a surprise ending? Explain.

O. Henry/The Last Leaf

Students are to read the biographical information about O. Henry and respond to the following questions:



What is O. Henry considered the master of?
What is his real name?
Who raised him?
Why was he in prison?
How many short stories did he write?
What did he die of?


After completing this, students are to read "The Last Leaf" and complete the following assignment:

“The Last Leaf”-20pts
1. What example of personification can you find in the story? Why does the writer use personification?
2. Contrast what the doctor thinks is important to a young girl in life to what Sue thinks is important.
3. Where do we we see Sue's devotion to Johnsy in the story?
4. What does the story have to say about the connection between mind and body?
5. Which comes first in the story; Johnsy counting, "Twelve, eleven, ten.." or Johnsy explaining what she is counting. Why does the writer choose to put the events in that order?
6. Why does the writer choose to have the story take place in the winter?
7. Where in the story does Sue lie to Johnsy. Why does she lie?
8. Name two ways that we know that Johnsy has given up, and wants ot die.
9. In what way is Behrman like the leaf on the vine?
10. What is Behrman's reaction to what Sue tells him about Johnsy?
11. Why does the writer continually emphasize the beating rain and fierce gusts of wind? (Give Two reasons).
12. How does Sue try to convince Johnsy to fight to stay alive? Is she successful in her attempt? Why, or why not?
13. What signs are we given of Johnsy's change of heart about her illness?
14. In what way can Behrman's painting be called, "A Masterpiece"?
15. Why do you think that Johnsy never noticed that the last leaf never fluttered or moved?


Vocab-
zephyrs
pharmacopoeia
solicitously
satyr
imp

O. Henry

We have begun working on short stories that have surprise endings. The students are currently working on the following assignment:

“The Ransom of Red Chief” -20pts

1. What is the setting (place) of the story?

2. Why is this a good setting for a kidnapping?

3. Why do Bill and Sam choose Ebenezer Dorset’s son to kidnap?

4. Tell two things the boy does before he is kidnapped that should have warned Bill and Sam that he would be trouble.

5. How does the boy react to being at camp? Use details to support your answer.

6. What does Bill find out when he goes to see if people are searching for the kidnapped boy? Did you expect him to see this? Why or Why not?

7. What do you think that Bill is secretly hoping when he asks Sam if he thinks Red Chief will run away?

8. Write a summary of Red Chief’s mischievous activities so far in the story.

9. What are the terms of the ransom note?

10. Do you believe that the kidnappers will get what they have asked for? Make a prediction for the ending.

The Mortal Immortal

Students read "The Mortal Immortal" and completed the following assignment today:

“The Mortal Immortal”

List at least 2 elements of horror in this story.

What year was the narrator born?

Why does the narrator call the beverage “fatal”? What literary term is this an example of?

Who in this story is experiencing the horror? Explain.

The Beast in the Cave

Students are to read "The Beast in the Cave" and complete the following assignment:

“The Beast in the Cave”

What fears does this story prey upon? Ex. Fear of clowns, possessed Good Guy dolls, fear of flying…etc.

Describe the setting. Use specific words from the story that create atmosphere.

How does the author slowly build up fear/suspense?

List at least 2 elements of horror in this story.

Why is the ending so horrifying for the narrator?


I have provided a link to the story.