A critical part of the maturation process involves the ability to see things from the perspective of another. The adolescent is very often so involved with his own concerns that he does not even recognize the points of view of others. The adolescent point of view is very often limited to self.
We believe that the understanding of others points of view is a crucial part of life and that the short story can serve as a vehicle in which to help students to understand the positions of others.
The action in a short story can be seen through 1) omniscient point of view the narrator knows all, the thoughts, motives and feelings of each character 2) detached observer the narrator can describe the characters and what they do and say but not their thoughts and feelings 3) first person the main character tells his own story and refers to himself as “I”.
Hopefully by learning to recognize the point of view in a short story students will be able to transfer this knowledge to their own world.
We have chosen “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe to illustrate the element of point of view A story in which a man, insulted in public by a friend, seeks and gets revenge.
This story can be found in the following books:
Adventures in Reading
Heritage Ed. Reading Level 9-10
Scope English Program
Level 1 Scholastic Book Service Reading Level 3
Reading Lesson Plan #1
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Objective:
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To determine whether or not students have an understanding of “The Cask of Amontillado”.
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Procedure:
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The following questions can be used to lead an oral discussion of the story. The questions can be used either by the teacher to lead the entire group or may be used by students in smaller groups.
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1. Who is telling “The Cask of Amontillado”? How would the story be different if someone else were telling it?
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2. Do you think Fortunato insulted Montresor on purpose? Why or why not?
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3. What type of person does Montresor reveal himself to be?
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4. Was the revenge that Montresor got fair? Why or why not?
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5. Why do you think Fortunado went to Montresor’s cellar? Do you think he suspected at any point that Montresor was seeking revenge?
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Evaluation:
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Students’ understanding of the story can be determined by their participation in oral discussion.
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Reading Lesson Plan #2
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Objective:
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To have students support their conclusions with factual details from the story.
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Procedure:
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ldentify each of the following statements as being either true or false. Find evidence in the story to support each answer.
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1. Fortunado was a happy person with many friends.
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2. Montresor’s ancestors probably sought revenge for insults also.
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3. Both men were very rich.
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4. Montresor did not plan to seal Fortunado inside the cell he only wanted to teach him a lesson.
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5. Fortunado knew that Montresor was angry with him.
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6. Someone will probably find Fortunado’s body and call the police.
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7. Montresor is always alone in his mansion.
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8. Montresor pretended to be concerned with Fortunado’s health.
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Answers:
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1. True, Montresor tells him that he is loved and happy.
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2. True, the family motto said “No one can attack me without being punished”.
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3. True, the story states that both men liked good wines and were able to afford them.
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4. False, he had the tools ready to seal the cell.
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5. False, the story states that he did not suspect his feelings and that Montresor continued to “smile in his face”.
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6. False, at the end of the story Montresor stacked the old bones against the wall and said that they had not been disturbed for fifty years.
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7. False, his servants were out.
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8. True, he kept telling Fortunado to turn back because his cough was getting worse.
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Evaluation:
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Students’ correct responses to this activity.
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Writing Lesson Plan #1
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Objective:
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To give students practice in identifying and writing from different points of view (first person, third person observer and third person omniscient).
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Procedure:
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Ask students to read the following fictional situation and try to visualize the character.
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Case Conference
Teddy is twelve years of age. He is constantly having conflicts in school, this behavior is quite different from that of a year ago. He flatly refuses to participate in class activities and intentionally disrupts such activities by humming aloud, repeatedly tapping his pencil on the desk and outwardly criticizing others: students and teacher. Last year he had a good rapport with his teachers especially in math and English. This year he has the same teachers for math and English, but is verbally abusive to one and simply ignores the other.
His parents are understandably concerned. His father believes the situation should be handled firmly; taking away privileges and time spent with friends. His mother feels a soft, sensitive approach is in order.
Ted’s best friend, Sam feels a need to help Ted because he too, has seen a drastic change in Ted’s behavior.
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1. Identify the main character in this case conference.
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2. Identify supporting characters.
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3. With another student write a dialogue between two of the characters. Write from your characters point of view.
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Ted and his father
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Ted and his mother
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Ted and one of his teachers
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Ted and Sam
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Ted’s mother and father
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4. Allow sufficient time for this activity.
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5. Ask students to act out their dialogue and accompanying point of view in class.
Note: A possible play could evolve from this activity.
Related Activities:
Journal
Have students keep a journal every day for a week. At the end of the week have them put it away for a week and not look at it at all. The following week have students rewrite the events of the week in which they kept the journal without looking at their original. Have students compare the two journals to see if their viewpoint has changed.
Change Places
Have students write a paragraph about something that has happened to them in which an adult was worried about them. Have students rewrite the same paragraph from the point of view of the adult who was worried.
Inanimate Object
Have students write a paragraph in which they are an inanimate object (a couch, chair, bicycle, etc.). The paragraph is to be written in the first person point of view.
Vocabulary
The following terms should be familiar to the students after focusing on the element of point of view in the short story.
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Narrator
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First Person
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Omniscient Point of View
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Internal Story Teller
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Detached Observer
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External Story Teller
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Vocabulary Worksheet
The person telling the story is called the
Narrator
. When the person telling the story knows all the thoughts, motives and feelings of each character, the story is being told from the
Omniscient
point of view. When the main character tells his own story and refers to himself as “I” the story is being told from the
First Person
point of view. An
Internal
story teller is one that takes part in the action of the story. An
External
story teller is one that can remove himself from the action of the story.
