- •Section I plot and plot structure theoretical preliminaries
- •Text 1. T he cop and the anthem
- •P lot, Setting
- •Literary Techniques
- •Plot Structure
- •Text 2. Mistaken identity
- •P lot Structure and Literary Techniques
- •Text 3. The lady or the tiger?
- •Style, Message
- •Suggestions for comparative analysis
- •Section II system of images. Means of characterization theoretical preliminaries
- •Plot Structure
- •1. Presentation of the character through action.
- •2. Speech characteristics.
- •3. Psychological portrayal and analysis of motive.
- •4. Description of the outward appearance, the portrayal of a character.
- •5. Description of the world of things that surround the character.
- •6. The use of a foil
- •7. The naming of characters.
- •Text 4. The pawnbroker’s wife
- •The Major Character
- •Arnold bennett
- •Character Drawing
- •Conflict, Representational Forms
- •Charles shirley jackson
- •P lot Structure and Character-Drawing
- •S uggestions for comparative analysis
- •Section III narrative method theoretical preliminaries
- •Text 7. The ladie’s maid
- •Narrative Method
- •Means of Characterization
- •S uggestions for comparative analysis
- •Text 8. The escape
- •P lot Structure and Literary Techniques
- •Narrative Method and Tone
- •Text 9. New york to detroit
- •N arrative Method, Plot Structure
- •Means of Characterization. Tone. Mood
- •Suggestions for comparative analysis
- •Section IV tonal system theoretical preliminaries
- •Text 10. The oval portrait
- •P lot Structure
- •Setting
- •Narrative Method
- •Tone, Atmosphere, Style
- •S uggestions for comparative analysis
- •Text 11. The night the bed fell
- •P lot Structure
- •Narrative Method
- •Means of Characterization
- •Attitude and Tone
- •Text 12. Arrangement in black and white
- •Narrative Method
- •Plot Structure
- •Means of Characterization
- •S uggestions for comparative analysis
- •Section V the message of a literary work theoretical preliminaries
- •Text 13. The pleasures of solitude
- •Message, Means of characterization
- •Plot Structure
- •Setting, Tone
- •Narrative Method
- •Text 14. The legacy
- •C haracter-Images
- •Message
- •Text 15. A painful case
- •Death of a lady at sydney parade a painful case
- •C haracter-Images
- •Style, Setting, Message
- •Suggestions for comparative analysis
C haracter-Images
What means of characterization does the writer employ to create the image of Mr. Duffy?
Do the house he lived in and his belongings serve to characterize Mr. Duffy?
What role do the descriptions of his habits and interests play in revealing his character?
Which of his features are mainly revealed by actions?
What means does the author use to characterize Mrs. Sinico? What details in her portrayal imply that she was a passioriafe'woman, able to experience strong and sincere emotions?
Can Mrs. Sinico be regarded as a foil to Mr. Duffy? How do they differ in temperament and character?
Who do you think is to blame for her death?
What was Mr. Duffy's first reaction to the news of Mrs. Sinico's death? Trace all the subtle changes of his state of mind later. Does he finally accuse himself? What feeling does he experience in the end?
Style, Setting, Message
Which of the settings reinforce characterization?
Does the narrative method which J. Joyce chose to tell the story enable him to trace all the workings of Mr. Duffy's mind? What representational form does he use for that purpose?
What role do the minor characters play?
Compare the style of the newspaper item with that of the story. Why do you think the author inserted it into the story?
Is the pounding of the train in the final scene an artistic detail or symbol? What does is imply?
What other artistic details or symbols did you find in the story?
Does the title in any way contribute to the message of the story?
What feelings does (he author arouse towards the protagonist?
What is the irony of the end of the story?
Does the story produce an enduring impression?
Suggestions for comparative analysis
C ompare the stories The Lady's Maid and The Pleasures of Solitude in terms of theme and message.
What similarities and distinctions do you trace in the major character-images? Are the means of characterization alike in both the stories?
3. Compare the stories in terms or point view and the author's altitude to the major characters.
4. How is the irony developed in each of the stories?
5. What emotional response does each story evoke in the reader?
6. Which of the two stories impressed you more? Account for your choice.
7. Compare the stories in terms of techniques conveying implication. Which techniques do K. Mansfield and J. Cheever resort lo?
8. Are the maid and her lady contrasted? Is the contrast suggestive? How is it related to the message of the story?
9. What similar features of the maid are revealed in the varying scenes of K. Mansfield's story?
10. In which of the two stories does the author resort to artistic details? How are the artistic details related to the message?
11. Compare the functions of the titles in the two stories. How is each title related to the message? Does it reveal the author's attitude? What role does the title play in each of the stories?
12. How is the author's message conveyed in each of the compared stories? Do the writers employ identical means of conveying the message? Support your view in each case by specific reference to the texts of both the stories.
13. Compare the stories The Legacy and A Painful Case in terms of theme and message. How do V. Woolf and J. Joyce bring the message home to the reader? Do they resort to different techniques?
14. Compare the two stories in terms of literary techniques that contribute to suspense. Are they identical?
15. What types of irony are used in each of the stories? How effective is the irony?
16. Compare the functions of the titles in both the stories. How is each title related to the message?
17. What type of conflict is each story based on?
18. Which of the two stories impressed you most? Why?