M1: The Strength in Stories [Q1] Flashcards
plot
-events that take place in writing or a story
-characters experience these events
For a story to be compelling, though, it usually needs a ______, someone for listeners or readers to care about and cheer for.
hero
What details in the story suggest that Solomon was a complicated person–not a superhero?
Solomon’s actions represented a mixture of good and bad decisions. As a result, he was both blessed by God and cursed by God.
According to Seymour, why have these stories survived so long and spread so far?
Because they are so interesting, and because Solomon is such an intriguing character.
Which sentence best describes the conflict in “The Treasure”?
1-Neither of two men feels right claiming an unexpected treasure.
2-David must pass judgment but cares little about the outcome.
1- Neither of two men feels right claiming an unexpected treasure.
David’s original decision does not work for the two landowners because both feel it would be wrong to lay claim to a treasure they knew nothing about.
Which of Solomon’s stories do you think is most memorable? What makes it memorable?
Most people familiar with the events in Solomon’s life recall the story about the two mothers fighting over a child, and how Solomon settled their quarrel. Some elements of the story are pretty extreme, such as Solomon’s threat to slaughter a child, and the willingness of its “true mother” to give it up rather than see it harmed.
story’s setting
arrangement of scenery and properties to represent the place where a play or movie is enacted
OR
the context and environment in which something is set; “the perfect setting for a ghost story”
The Judgement of Solomon, Raphael. 16th Century
How does the story suggested by this painting differ from the version you just read? What do those differences say about how the artist thought about Solomon?
In this version, Solomon is already a king–he wears a crown and is seated on a throne. Also, he does not hold the child and the sword himself. One of his court attendants, perhaps a soldier, is given that task. The differences suggest that the artist preferred to portray Solomon as royalty, somewhat removed from his subjects instead of one of them.
The Judgement of Solomon, Raphael. 16th Century
Why is the resolution of this story so powerful?
It gets at an essential truth about human nature–specifically, the special relationship between a mother and child.
Exactly how does a story reveal a heroic character’s strengths?
Stories with heroic characters not only reveal the hero’s admirable traits–they also reveal what traits we as human beings believe to be heroic. Good stories demonstrate the hero’s strengths by showing the hero in action.
The best stories build a plot gradually, step by step. The story starts with a conflict–a problem to be solved. Then the main character attempts to solve the problem and does so in a way that shows his or her strengths (or weaknesses).
- Which sentence most likely describes the conflict in a story?
Percy and his friends often go directly from school to the park where they play soccer till dinnertime.
Percy needs a new bike to get to school, but his father lost his job two weeks ago and money is tight.
Percy remember it was his mother’s birthday when he arrived home and saw flowers on the table.
Percy’s sister lost her best friend in a car accident, and Percy has been spending more time with her lately.
B. Percy needs a new bike to get to school, but his father lost his job two weeks ago and money is tight.
To work as the conflict of a story, a situation must include a struggle, disagreement, or point of tension that can be worked out in a dramatic way.
- Which sentence explains how a story’s conflict contributes to its plot?
The conflict describes in detail where and when the plot occurs.
The conflict solves the main problem at the heart of the plot.
The conflict provides a reason for events to happen.
The conflict determines how long a story’s plot will last.
The conflict provides a reason for events to happen.
A story’s conflict is what causes the plot to develop or unfold as the story’s characters try to resolve the conflict.
Which detail is most likely part of a story’s setting?
the way the captain turned around and waved at us
his fear that he would one day be locked out of the house
her refusal to believe that her father had really left
the time of night when even the alley cats are sleeping
the time of night when even the alley cats are sleeping
Setting details help readers imagine where or when a story takes place.
