Josephine F. Ablamsky
How best to read the story will probably rest upon the students’ reading abilities. You may elect to read the entire story to the students directing them to follow along, or you may assign the story to the students as a silent reading assignment, or you may call upon students to read the story orally.
Upon completion of the reading, you and the students will examine it to find the author’s method of representing the short story elements.
In my plan to follow I note the story element, page referents where applicable, and those words, phrases or sentences from the story that contribute directly to the depiction of the story element. All of the examples I have pointed out do not necessarily have to be brought into the discussion. You may also find other examples that are just as suitable to refer to.
STORY TITLE “There’s a Woolybear in the Bathroom”, by Hilda Stahl, Pages 119 125,
Crosswinds Two
(When Rudy’s father remarries, Rudy must learn to share him not only with his new step-mother but a new half brother as well. And his new half-brother loves what Rudy hates bugs!)
A. PLOT
EXPOSITION Page 119 introduces the reader to the narrator of the story, Rudy. It also introduces Rudy’s dad, step-mother Clair, and half-brother Jason. Though EXPOSITION contains the SETTING, that will be described in detail following the PLOT.
The CONFLICT pattern indicates man versus men as Rudy has difficulty in accepting his new step-mother’s end half-brother’s presence. It also can include the man versus environment CONFLICT, the social and psychological problems that arise from remarriages affecting not only the adults but their children also.
The PLOT develops within a one day period. By bedtime Rudy realizes that the adjustment he has to make to his new family is as difficult to them as it is to him. Realizing that he and Jason are in the “same boat,” Rudy learns to appreciate the innocent happiness little Jason derives from bug collecting.
DENOUEMENT The conclusion infers that Rudy will develop more warmth towards his new half-brother, there will be an emotional bond between them and there summer together will be an enjoyable one.
B. SETTING -
”There’s a Woolybear in the Bathroom”
Page 119 When my parents got divorced, I went to live with my dad. But after a year of living with just him, Dad got married again. . . . He’s going to spend the summer with us. (The story is taking place in the summer in Rudy’s father’s house. Illustrations in the text indicate the story is taking place in the present time.)
C. CHARACTERS
Rudy (primary), his dad, new stepmother Clair and new half-brother Jason
CHARACTERIZATION of Rudy revealed by author’s use of
dialogue
: P. 120 “I’ll make it”I snapped. (hostility) P. 121“Your face is a mess!” (hostility) P. 123 “I don’t like bugs,” . . . ”No’ Get away from me, will you?” (anger, rejection towards Jason)
CHARACTERIZATION of Rudy by describing
actions
: P. 120 I made two sandwiches and sat down with Jason. I didn’t think he’d want to eat alone.(indicates empathy for Jason) P. 121 Why would anyone be afraid of Dad? He’s great. I hurried into the hall to greet him, . . . (a loving son) P. 125 I bent down and put my arms around him and gave him a hug. (affectionate to Jason)
CHARACTERIZATION of Rudy by
writing
it out: P. 119 I don’t really need a mother . . . (independent) P. 120 Weren’t little kids supposed to be full of life and be laughing all the time? (sensitive to Jason) P. 121I wet a paper towel and rubbed Jason’s face clean. (a sense of responsibility to Jason) P. 123 Suddenly a warm, happy feeling spread over me (happy) P. 124 I put on a fake grin, knowing that I wanted him to hang on to his happiness and not lose it because of me. (love for his father) P. 125 I was sorry I took that away from him (sensitive towards Jason’s feeling).
The author has characterized Rudy to be an independent seventeen year old who is very sensitive to the needs of his family. He is assertive yet kind and tolerant.
CHARACTERIZATION of
Jason
revealed by author’s use of
dialogue
: P. 119 “Do you like bugs?”, P. 123 “Will you hold my beetle?” (childish interests)
CHARACTERIZATION of Jason by describing his
actions
: P. 120 Jason managed to smear grape jelly and peanut butter across his cheeks. P. 121 It made me angry to see the tears in his eyes. (youthfulness) P. 121 Jason had his head buried against Clair, and she looked kind of worried. P. 124 Then Jason walked in very slowly . . . (bewildered, fearful, lacking self-confidence)
CHARACTERIZATION of Jason by
writing it out
: P. 121 Re was scared ! P. 123 For a while there in the park, he managed to act like a typical little kid . . . his face excited and flushed. P. 124 . . . his eyes large and scared. P. 125 Then he kissed me on the cheek . . . (becoming affectionate)
Jason’s character is that of a typical five or six year old bewildered by the changing adult figures in his life. Though frightened and not very self-assured at this time, he has bursts of blissful childish joy.
CHARACTERIZATION of
Dad
from
dialogue
: P. 121 “I brought you a present, Jason,” said Dad. P.122 “I’m glad you’re spending the summer with us, Jason. I want you to have a good time. (generous, kind, warm, friendly) P. 124 “Rudy, Rudy. I don’t like to see you hurting so much.” (loving, sensitive to others)
CHARACTERIZATION of Dad from his
actions
: P. 119 . . . Dad got married again. (normal heterosexual) P. 121 Dad was smiling. (happy) P. 124 I could see the relief in his eyes before he left my room. (concerned parent)
CHARACTERIZATION of Dad by
writing it
: P. 121 Why would anyone be afraid of Dad? He’s great. P. 124 Dad looked so hurt that I couldn’t look at him.
Dad is a loving, kind,and supportive figure. Re wants very much to achieve a successful start in his new marriage.
CHARACTERIZATION of
Clair
from
dialogue
: P. 121 “Jason, say hello to your new daddy.” (courteous)
CHARACTERIZATION of Clair from her
actions
: P. 120 . . . whi1e Clair just beamed with pleasure, as if it was a great thing to like bugs. . . . She bent down and kissed Jason’s thin little cheek. (loving)
CHARACTERIZATION of Clair by
writing it directly
: P. 119 Clair’s only 25 years old!
The author characterizes Clair as a young mother concerned about her young son yet as equally concerned that a healthy, respectful relationship develop between him and her new husband.
D. MOOD
“There’s a Woolybear in the Bathroom”
P. 119 Clair’s only 25 years old’ P. 121 “Can’t you use a paper napkin properly?” I snapped. P. 123 Suddenly, a warm happy feeling spread over me. P. 125 I smiled. I was going to do my best to make Jason happy. I had a feeling that would make me happy, too.
The author’s diction, or word choice, and dialogue contribute to the MOODS of wonderment, resentment, and finally, contentment.
The PLOT of the story indicates that difficulties may erupt and some tensions prevail. By the conclusion, or DENOUEMENT, Rudy and Jason will become friends and a calm settles over their home.
E. TONE
“There’s a Woolybear in the Bathroom”
The author’s subject matter, divorce and remarriage, reflects an attitude of understanding of this social phenomenon in society. As Hilda Stahl writes of the difficulties effecting the family, she is also helping young readers identify with the problems. The TONE is not that divorce and remarriage are positive societal factors, but that they do exist and in her story, at least, the conclusion ends on an optimistic note.
F. POINT OF VIEW
The personal, first person point of view is used throughout the story. The primary character, Rudy, is relating the events and recording what he sees. P. 121 The door slammed, and I knew Dad was home. I caught a look at Jason’s face. He was scared! . . . I knew when Dad and Clair walked into the kitchen, but I didn’t turn around. P. 123 Then Clair called out that they were ready and waiting. . . . I waited for Jason to run to me, his face flushed and excited. He didn’t look like the same boy.
G. THEME
“There’s a Wooly Bear in the Bathroom”
The point of this story can be that whenever there are major changes in one,s life personal adjustments have to be made also. Rudy did not really want to share his father, but, eventually, knew he would have to.
Another THEME could be that even though conditions do appear adverse, with serious effort the adversity can be turned into something positive. Rudy finally realized that Jason and he could become good friends, that they both had been equally hurt by their respective parent’s divorces. At 17, Rudy was realizing the comfort and satisfaction in becoming Jason’s big brother.
This concludes the first story analysis. You will find other examples, I’m sure, of illustrating the various story elements. The response of your students should determine the amount of details required. As added reinforcement, the following lesson plan will analyze a second story in the
Crosswinds Two
text.