Small Group Activity for “The Osage Orange Tree” by William Stafford: Does the narrator approve or disapprove of Evangeline’s decision to use her dress money to buy newspapers from him? How does his opinion of her relate to the theme of the story?

1. What does the narrator do once he realizes Evangeline isn’t at graduation on p. 5:

a.

Why does he do this? What motivates him? What does he risk by doing this?

b.

Why does he do this? What motivates him? What does he risk by doing this?

c.

Why does he do this? What motivates him? What does he risk by doing this?

d.

Why does he do this? What motivates him? What does he risk by doing this?

e.

Why does he do this? What motivates him? What does he risk by doing this?

2. Look specifically at what the narrator says about himself on p. 7: “I stood there, half-defiant, half- ashamed.”

a. In what way is he being defiant? Who or what is he defying?

b. Why do you think he is ashamed of himself?

c. The narrator regards himself as “half-defiant” in that moment. Is there anyone in the story who is fully defiant? Why?

3. In terms of imagery, is there a motif (images the narrator returns to again and again)? 4. What is a symbol?

5. How does this imagery tell us whether the narrator approves or disapproves of Evangeline’s decision? Why?

6. Based on his opinion of Evangeline, what kind of person can we conclude the narrator is? Why?

7. What is everything this story about?

8. What does the story say about what it is about?

9. Homework: a. Write a claim that states a theme of “The Osage Orange Tree” by William Stafford.

Claim:

______

______

______

______b. Break down your prompt to identify each point that you need to establish to prove your claim. Write each of these points down.

i. ______

ii. ______c. EMAIL YOUR CLAIM AND EACH OF ITS POINTS TO MS. SURINSKY BY 8 P.M. ON THURSDAY.