Unit 1: Comparing Literary Works—Irony and Paradox
“Like the Sun” by R.K. Narayan, pp. 191-194 “The Open Window” by Saki, pp. 195-198
Name______Hour ______Date______Writing About the Big Question The Big Question: Is there a difference between reality and truth? Big Question Vocabulary comprehend concrete confirm context differentiate discern evaluate evidence improbable objective perception reality subjective uncertainty verify A. Write the word from the list above that is a synonym for the underlined phrase or word.
1. Noah’s way of seeing things sometimes led him to make mistakes about other people’s intentions. ______2. Some people are unable to tell the difference between truth and lies. ______3. Framton did not verify that Vera was telling the truth. ______4. Jessica tries to remain unprejudiced about a situation even when she is angry. ______5. The details that furnish proof of a crime can sometimes be misleading. ______
B. Follow the directions in responding to each of the items below. 1. Describe a time when your perception of reality about a situation was affected by your belief about that situation using at least two sentences. ______2. In two sentences, explain how you learned the truth about the situation, which was different from your first perception. ______
C. Complete the sentence below. Then, write a paragraph of at least five full sentences in which you connect this experience to the Big Question. Use at least two BQ vocabulary words and circle them. When things do not turn out as you plan, ______
Grade 10, Unit 1 1 Vocabulary Builder
Word List (pp. 191-197) delusion endeavored falteringly ingratiating scrutinized tempering
A. DIRECTIONS: Write a complete sentence to answer each question. For each item, use a word from the Word List in place of the underlined word(s) with a similar meaning. Example: Why might belief in Martian invaders be considered a false belief? Answer: Belief in Martian invaders might be considered a delusion since there is no evidence for them. 1. When can softening your tone come in handy? ______
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2. Why might a person’s signature be closely examined? ______
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3. Why do many people find behavior intended to win someone’s favor annoying? ______
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4. How would you feel if someone tried to harm you? ______
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5. Why might a person speak with a wavering voice? ______
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B. DIRECTIONS: On the line, write the letter of the word that is most nearly opposite in meaning to the word in CAPITAL LETTERS. ______1. SCRUTINIZED: A. punished B. celebrated C. purchased D. ignored ______2. TEMPERING: A. moderating B. increasing C. reducing D. frightening ______3. FALTERINGLY: A. angrily B. strongly C. plainly D. weakly ______4. INGRATIATING: A. civilized B. thankful C. disrespectful D. soothing
Grade 10, Unit 1 2 Critical Thinking Questions: Answer in full sentences
Like the Sun
1. What experiment does Sekhar plan at the beginning of the story?
2. What conflict does this create for him?
3. Is the headmaster pleased or angry that Sekhar has told him the truth about his music? Explain your inference.
4. Are there any benefits to Sekhar’s truth telling? Cite story details and logical reasons to support your conclusion.
5. Based on the results of Sekhar’s experiment, do you think people prefer to hear reality through absolute truths, or do they prefer tempered truth? Explain.
Grade 10, Unit 1 3 The Open Window
6. Why is Mr. Nuttel visiting the country?
7. Why is this detail critical to the story?
8. Why does Vera tell Mr. Nuttel the story about the hunters’ deaths?
9. Is it unusual for her to tell such stories? Explain.
10. How are Mr. Nuttel and Vera similar and different? Use details from the story to support your answer.
11. How does Vera use aspects of reality to shape her story?
12. How is Mr. Nuttel’s perception of the situation at the end of the story different from reality?
Grade 10, Unit 1 4 Irony and Paradox, p. 188
Irony is the effect created when a writer makes a forceful contrast between words or expectations and reality. • In situational irony, something happens that directly contradicts strong expectations. For example, if you go through a door expecting a surprise party and instead find an empty room, you actually will be surprised. • In verbal irony, words are used to “say” the opposite. If it starts to rain, and you say, “Oh, this is great” to mean “Oh, this is awful,” you are using verbal irony. • In dramatic irony, the reader or audience knows something that a character or speaker does not. In “Like the Sun,” for example, the reader knows about Sekhar’s experiment, but the headmaster does not. Another kind of contrast writers use is paradox. A paradox expresses two contradictory ideas and yet also reveals a truth. “You must sometimes be cruel to be kind” is one example of a paradox.
A. DIRECTIONS: Explain what is ironic in each of the following passages from “Like the Sun” and “The Open Window.” Then identify the type of irony in each passage. “Like the Sun” 1. “No. I want it immediately—your frank opinion. Was it good?” “No, sir. . .” Sekhar replied. ______
Type of irony: ______
“The Open Window” 2. "My aunt will be down presently, Mr. Nuttel," said a very self-possessed young lady of fifteen; "in the meantime you must try and put up with me." ______
Type of Irony: ______
B. DIRECTIONS: Explain how each paradox is illustrated in “Like the Sun” or “The Open Window.” “Like the Sun” 1. “You have to be cruel to be kind.” ______“The Open Window” 2. "One would think he had seen a ghost." ______
Grade 10, Unit 1 5