Anthony F. Franco
The following activities are representative of this unit’s intentions. They are offered here as a guide to the use of the unit and the achievement of its objectives. Each activity illustrates one of the metaphors mentioned above and illustrated in Figure
1. Each activity should be viewed as a stratagem for teaching the unit since it provides the necessary information to guide the students into the metaphor. The preliminary discussion notes characterize what should be stated to the students and expanded upon each time a story is read until the students have mastered these ideas. The story notes, of course, will vary as each story is read. These should be recorded as the teacher previews the pieces of short fiction to be read. The topics for discussion are the main points which the teacher should make sure are covered in any class discussion. It is essential that these topics are not in any great numbers; a lengthy list will invariably cloud the intended metaphor. Finally, the writing suggestions provide the impetus for the student writing program. Since each student will react individually to each story, it is cautioned that a wide range of variation be allowed. Here, the teacher may use a variety of key suggestions to elicit student response.
I have chosen a rather compact piece of short fiction to illustrate these sample activities—“The Office” by Alice Munro—to simplify this discussion. It is not necessary to treat each story read in terms of all three metaphors. Many of the stories suggested in the student reading list below can be used easily in relation to the metaphors of environment, character, and experience. Some translate better in terms of character or environment. Others work better with two of the three metaphors. Each user of the unit should decide how to use each story when previewing that story. Perhaps all three elements can be discussed and the writing can be keyed to just one metaphor. This decision rests with the user who is aware of how much time can be afforded.
Sample Activity #1.
Metaphor of Environment
Preliminary discussion notes:
Environment or setting in any story is the combination of space, time, and place. Environment plays a central role in fiction as it often dictates the behavior of characters and influences their experience. Our own environment, the space, time, and place we occupy, influences us in much the same way.
Story notes on environment:
The environment of “The Office” by Alice Munro is a rented space in a building owned by a Mr. Malley. The story’s main character, the narrator, envisions that this space will provide for her the privacy and freedom necessary to foster her work as an author.
Topics for discussion:
1. Does our protagonist feel that her new-found office is adequate?
2. Describe the office according to the story.
3. Is there a problem with the office?
Writing suggestions:
Describe a place that is your private domain.
Possibly you look forward to being in a place where you are free to be yourself. Describe this environment.
Did you once have a private place that is no more? Describe this environment of the past.
Sample Activity #2.
Metaphor of Character
Preliminary discussion notes:
The central character of a story—the hero or heroine—is known as the protagonist. Any character that offers a conflict or challenge to this character is the antagonist. Aside from major characters, stories often have minor characters. We come to know all characters in fiction by what the author tells us, what the character says, and by what the character does. In our own lives we judge another individual and express our feelings accordingly by what that individual says and does. We, too, are judged by others in the same way.
Story notes on character:
There are two main characters in “The Office”—the narrator and Mr. Malley. The narrator is a wife and mother who writes and who is in need of a place to work. Mr. Malley owns a building and rents rooms to people. A minor character, Mrs. Malley, also makes an appearance.
Topics for discussion:
1. What type of person is the narrator?
2. What qualities does Mr. Malley possess?
Writing suggestions:
Tell about a task you had to perform that required a certain element of privacy and quiet.
Tell about any serious hobbies you have.
Tell about any acquaintance you have who reminds you of Mr. Malley.
Sample Activity #3.
Metaphor of Experience
Preliminary discussion notes:
The experience of a story is the character within his environment and all that happens—the sequence of events in the story. This is usually called “the plot”. Each of us lives through experiences each day which both propel us forward and issue us momentary setbacks. Each experience we encounter helps us to grow. We are the product of a continual chain of events.
Story notes on experience:
In the short story, “The Office”, a woman who is pursuing a career in writing rents a space from a kindly gentleman for an office. The gentleman continually visits this woman and either brings her things which he considers useful for the room or delves in chitchat. The woman regards this attention as a nuisance, an inconvenience, and a violation of her privacy. The tension increases for the woman, and she finally surrenders the office.
Topics for discussion:
1. Do you feel the narrator was patient enough with Mr. Malley?
2. Do you feel Mr. Malley was acting properly?
3. Is the narrator justified in her feelings and actions?
Writing suggestions:
Explain about a time when you lost all your patience.
Explain an experience you have had when your kindness was not wanted.
Explain an occurrence where your privacy was continually interrupted.
(figure available in print form)
Figure 1