The Devil and Tom Walker Inferences

Read the following short story by Washington Irving.  You may listen to it only if you have earbuds of your own.  Afterwards you are to write a character analysis.  In other words, what can you infer about the characters after reading or listening to the story.  Tell me whether or not you are using direct or indirect characterizations. In your second paragraph I want you to provide me with as many themes as possible and give me explanations as to why you feel it is a theme. Once you have done this, go back and read a few of your peers responses and make comments on whether or not you agree or disagree and tell me why.  Use the text as proof for your inferences.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbJrmi6CZlY

Happy Blogging!!

Ms. Ellison

Themes

Create a page discussing a theme from a favorite childhood story.  Tell me the name of the story, and what theme is trying to be relayed.  Afterwards tell me how you know this is a theme.  In other words, what did the author write that makes you feel he is trying to entice you into thinking of this "theme" as a moral?

Example:  The Three Little Pigs

One of the themes of this story is to always build your future on a firm foundation.  I feel the author was trying to tell readers to always be prepared. He demonstrates this point by showing the cause and effects of having a poor foundation.  He shows us that because the first 2 little pigs built their houses out of straw and wood they had a poor foundation and therefore when trouble came their way they could not withstand the wind.  Their foundations were blown away by the pressures of life. The 3rd little pig planned and created a secure and safe foundation out of brick.  When trouble (the wolf) came his way, his foundation stood fast.

Now it is your turn.  Remember in order to find the theme or moral of a story, you have to be able to look beyond the words and get the "big" picture. Ask yourself, what is the author trying to tell me.