Why Do We Read?

Our class is currently reading Richard Connel's The Most Dangerous Game", a short story filled with suspense so it's easy to enjoy. But aside from the thrill a good story can give us there is usually more to a good story than that. Stories can teach us, help to make grow-and we hunger for a good tale. Ask any child if he or she wants a story and just watch the excitement in his or her eyes.

So what is it about stories? Why do we read?

Task: Choose a story from your childhood, a story you read or that was read to you and answer the following questions:

1. What is your story and what was it about?
2. Why did you read it?
3. What did you get from it that you wanted to hear it or see it again and again?

To help, the following sites have many children's stories for you to read and review.

Grimm's Fairy Tales
SurLaLuna
Tales of Wonder
Myths, Folktales, and Fairy Tales

Remember to add your name and period to your comment using the following format: dconlay p#

The Most Dangerous Game

Answer the following questions in at least three to four sentences each. Remember to quote the story, The Most Dangerous Game, whenever possible.

1. Give at least three examples (use quotes) from the story where the author raises the level of suspense using the action from the story.

2. Give at least three examples (use quotes) where the author uses the setting to raise the level of suspense in the story.

3. Explain how the following exchange between Whitney and Rainsford is an example of foreshadowing. What might happen later in the story, and how is this a clue to what will happen?

"It will be light enough in Rio," promised Whitney. "We should make it in a few days. I hope the jaguar guns have come from Purdey's. We should have some good hunting up the Amazon. Great sport, hunting."

"The best sport in the world," agreed Rainsford.

"For the hunter," amended Whitney. "Not for the jaguar."

"Don't talk rot, Whitney," said Rainsford. "You're a big-game hunter, not a philosopher. Who cares how a jaguar feels?"

"Perhaps the jaguar does," observed Whitney.

"Bah! They've no understanding."

"Even so, I rather think they understand one thing--fear. The fear of pain and the fear of death."

"Nonsense," laughed Rainsford. "This hot weather is making you soft, Whitney. Be a realist. The world is made up of two classes--the hunters and the huntees. Luckily, you and I are hunters."

"The Necklace"

Post a comment in which you journal (50 to 100 words) on the following topic:

In what ways is the short story "The Necklace" an example of what the class has been discussing regarding the concept of the "good life"? Does Madame Loisel follow the "good life" as described by Socrates or by Philebus?

see handout "Inquiry on the Good Life"

How do you know?

If you need to review the story there is a link to the right, or it's here at:

The Necklace