c. edge echs english i. quickwrite, p. 266 the grown-ups in this story have plenty of reasons to...

C. EdgeC. Edge

ECHSECHS

English IEnglish I

Quickwrite, p. 266Quickwrite, p. 266

The grown-ups in this story have plenty of The grown-ups in this story have plenty of reasons to sing the blues. One of their reasons to sing the blues. One of their problems comes from a cameraman who wants problems comes from a cameraman who wants to take pictures of them. Jot down quickly to take pictures of them. Jot down quickly your feelings on the ways the media your feelings on the ways the media sometimes interfere with people’s private lives sometimes interfere with people’s private lives and private sufferings. Then, think about why and private sufferings. Then, think about why people like to watch other people’s troubles on people like to watch other people’s troubles on television.television.

Literary ElementsLiterary Elements

Anecdote – a very brief account of an Anecdote – a very brief account of an incidentincident

Example from the storyExample from the story


Conflict – struggle or clash between Conflict – struggle or clash between opposing characters or opposing forcesopposing characters or opposing forces

Describe the conflict between Granny and Describe the conflict between Granny and the film crewthe film crew


Characters – persons in a story, poem, or playCharacters – persons in a story, poem, or play

Flat character – one that has only one or two traits, Flat character – one that has only one or two traits, and these can be described in a few words.and these can be described in a few words.

Round character – a character that is like a real Round character – a character that is like a real person, having many different character traits, person, having many different character traits, which sometimes contradict one anotherwhich sometimes contradict one another


Dialect – way of speaking that is characteristic Dialect – way of speaking that is characteristic of a particular region or a particular group of of a particular region or a particular group of peoplepeople

Examples of dialect from the selection:Examples of dialect from the selection:


Generalization – a statement made from an Generalization – a statement made from an inference (a general principle, trend, etc.) of inference (a general principle, trend, etc.) of particular facts, statistics, or the like; or from particular facts, statistics, or the like; or from only a few facts, examples, or the like.only a few facts, examples, or the like.


Imagery – language that appeals to the sensesImagery – language that appeals to the senses

Identify two images that appeal to the five Identify two images that appeal to the five senses in this story.senses in this story.


Point of view – the relationship of the narrator Point of view – the relationship of the narrator to the story being toldto the story being told

What point of view is the story told from?What point of view is the story told from?


Symbol – person, place, thing, or event that Symbol – person, place, thing, or event that stands for itself and for something beyond stands for itself and for something beyond itself as wellitself as well

What do the hawks symbolize in the story?What do the hawks symbolize in the story?


ThemeTheme – the central idea of a story – the central idea of a story Read p. 264-5 in the literature book about theme.Read p. 264-5 in the literature book about theme. NOT THE SAME THING AS THE SUBJECT!NOT THE SAME THING AS THE SUBJECT!

What is a possible theme for this story?What is a possible theme for this story?


Title – the name of the story; it reveals Title – the name of the story; it reveals something about the meaning of the storysomething about the meaning of the story

What is the significance of the title of this What is the significance of the title of this story?story?

SummarySummary

Two insensitive filmmakers who are making a Two insensitive filmmakers who are making a documentary about the food stamp program invade the documentary about the food stamp program invade the privacy of Granny and Granddaddy Cain, a proud and privacy of Granny and Granddaddy Cain, a proud and dignified older couple. The filmmakers have good dignified older couple. The filmmakers have good intentions, but they don’t treat the Cains with the proper intentions, but they don’t treat the Cains with the proper respect. Without asking for permission they pry into the respect. Without asking for permission they pry into the family’s personal life, filming their rural home and family’s personal life, filming their rural home and disturbing their routine. The narrator and other children disturbing their routine. The narrator and other children watch as Granny and Granddaddy Cain repeatedly but watch as Granny and Granddaddy Cain repeatedly but politely rebuff the filmmakers. When Granny Cain finally politely rebuff the filmmakers. When Granny Cain finally tells her husband to make the men leave, he resolves the tells her husband to make the men leave, he resolves the conflict by removing the film from their camera.conflict by removing the film from their camera.

Dialect, p. 268Dialect, p. 268

Identify all of the words in the first three Identify all of the words in the first three sentences that omit the final consonant sentences that omit the final consonant gg on on ––inging forms. forms.

This pattern marks the dialect that is used in This pattern marks the dialect that is used in the story.the story.

Making Generalizations, p. 268Making Generalizations, p. 268

What details support the generalization that the What details support the generalization that the family has moved many times?family has moved many times?

The speaker talks about having lived in three The speaker talks about having lived in three places: “the Judson’s woods,” “the Cooper places: “the Judson’s woods,” “the Cooper place,” and “the dairy.”place,” and “the dairy.”

Dialect, p. 268Dialect, p. 268

Ain’tAin’t is used in place of standard English is used in place of standard English isn’tisn’t or or aren’taren’t. .

Which standard English word is replaced by Which standard English word is replaced by ain’tain’t in this sentence? in this sentence?

aren’t aren’t

Conflict and Character, p. 268Conflict and Character, p. 268 What conflict emerges between Granny and the film crew?What conflict emerges between Granny and the film crew? They want to use the Cain home in their film, but Granny doesn’t They want to use the Cain home in their film, but Granny doesn’t

want them on her property.want them on her property. How can you tell that it never occurred to the filmmakers to ask How can you tell that it never occurred to the filmmakers to ask

permission?permission? They just start shooting pictures, and even though one man seems They just start shooting pictures, and even though one man seems

embarrassed, they don’t really understand why Granny is so annoyed.embarrassed, they don’t really understand why Granny is so annoyed. What do Granny’s expressions, tone of voice, and words tell you What do Granny’s expressions, tone of voice, and words tell you

about how she feels? Use details from the story to support your about how she feels? Use details from the story to support your response.response.

She is upset with the filmmakers and wants them to realize they are She is upset with the filmmakers and wants them to realize they are invading the family’s privacy. “that smile” and the way she interrupts invading the family’s privacy. “that smile” and the way she interrupts the filmmakers.the filmmakers.


Why was the person with the camera saving some shots? Why was the person with the camera saving some shots? Why does Cathy say, “Of course”?Why does Cathy say, “Of course”?

Somebody insensitive enough to shoot photographs in the Somebody insensitive enough to shoot photographs in the first place would save a few in order to capture the person’s first place would save a few in order to capture the person’s jump. Cathy is perceptive and understands Granny’s point.jump. Cathy is perceptive and understands Granny’s point.

How does Granny’s story connect with what is happening in How does Granny’s story connect with what is happening in her yard?her yard?

The photographers on her property are equally insensitive.The photographers on her property are equally insensitive. What does she want to teach her grandchildren?What does she want to teach her grandchildren? She wants them to understand that it is degrading and She wants them to understand that it is degrading and

insensitive to treat people as objects whose lives are of insensitive to treat people as objects whose lives are of meaning only as a way to excite or entertain others.meaning only as a way to excite or entertain others.


Think about what all of the events described Think about what all of the events described here have in common. Exactly what do people here have in common. Exactly what do people do that disturbs Granny so much?do that disturbs Granny so much?

Granny is driven crazy by people’s Granny is driven crazy by people’s condescension, presumption, insensitivity, and condescension, presumption, insensitivity, and lack of respect for her family’s privacy.lack of respect for her family’s privacy.

Point of View, p. 270Point of View, p. 270

The story is narrated from the first-person The story is narrated from the first-person point of view, but this point of view is point of view, but this point of view is enlivened and enriched by how the writer enlivened and enriched by how the writer makes use of several other characters’ makes use of several other characters’ observations. The twins make childish but observations. The twins make childish but natural comments, often asking obvious natural comments, often asking obvious questions. Cathy makes sophisticated questions. Cathy makes sophisticated comments that supplement the narrator’s own comments that supplement the narrator’s own fresh and humorous insights.fresh and humorous insights.

Descriptive Details, p. 270Descriptive Details, p. 270

What vivid details in this paragraph help you see and What vivid details in this paragraph help you see and hear the action?hear the action?

““the shiny black oilskin,”the shiny black oilskin,” ““what little left there was of yellows, reds, oranges,”what little left there was of yellows, reds, oranges,” ““great white head,”great white head,” ““the sound of twigs snapping overhead and the sound of twigs snapping overhead and

underfoot”underfoot” ““tall and quiet and like a king”tall and quiet and like a king” ““drippin red down the back of the oilskin”drippin red down the back of the oilskin” The hammerin crackin through the eardrums”The hammerin crackin through the eardrums”

Summarizing, p. 272Summarizing, p. 272

How does Granddaddy Cain kill the male How does Granddaddy Cain kill the male hawk?hawk?

He throws the hammer and strikes the hawk in He throws the hammer and strikes the hawk in the air.the air.

Symbols, p. 273Symbols, p. 273

The scenes about the suffering hawks take up a The scenes about the suffering hawks take up a good part of the story. How can one or both of good part of the story. How can one or both of the hawks be seen as symbols that stand for the hawks be seen as symbols that stand for some of the characters in the story?some of the characters in the story?

Camera and Smilin?Camera and Smilin? Granny and Granddaddy?Granny and Granddaddy?

Character, p. 273Character, p. 273

What do you learn about Granddaddy Cain What do you learn about Granddaddy Cain here?here?

That even when he is exasperated with people That even when he is exasperated with people like the filmmakers, he can exercise self-like the filmmakers, he can exercise self-control and respond in a polite manner.control and respond in a polite manner.

Character, p. 273Character, p. 273

What kind of character traits do Camera and What kind of character traits do Camera and Smilin show?Smilin show?

They are rude, condescending, and They are rude, condescending, and presumptuous; they are not sensitive to the presumptuous; they are not sensitive to the feelings of others; they are ignorant about how feelings of others; they are ignorant about how other people feel.other people feel.

Theme, p. 273Theme, p. 273

Granddaddy Cain’s words suggest the major Granddaddy Cain’s words suggest the major theme of the story—a truth about how people theme of the story—a truth about how people should treat each other. In your own words, should treat each other. In your own words, what is that theme?what is that theme?

People should have respect for the feelings and People should have respect for the feelings and property of others.property of others.

Selection QuestionsSelection Questions

Who is around when the story begins?Who is around when the story begins?

Cathy, Tyrone, Terry, and Granny. Cathy, Tyrone, Terry, and Granny.


What is Granny doing at the beginning of the What is Granny doing at the beginning of the story? story?

Pouring rum into the Christmas cakes.Pouring rum into the Christmas cakes.


What else has the ladle been used for?What else has the ladle been used for? Dripping maple syrup into the pails (Judsons’ Dripping maple syrup into the pails (Judsons’

woods), pouring cider into vats (the Cooper woods), pouring cider into vats (the Cooper place), and scooping buttermilk and soft place), and scooping buttermilk and soft cheese (the dairy).cheese (the dairy).

What does this tell us? What does this tell us? The family has moved a lot in order to find The family has moved a lot in order to find

work and make a living.work and make a living.


Who are Smilin’ and Camera?Who are Smilin’ and Camera?

Filmmakers from the the county making a Filmmakers from the the county making a film about the welfare program.film about the welfare program.


What are the two men doing? What are the two men doing? They are taking pictures of Granny and her They are taking pictures of Granny and her

property without permission.property without permission.

Who do they work for? Who do they work for? The county.The county.


How does Granny feel about reporters? How does Granny feel about reporters? She does not appreciate their disrespect and She does not appreciate their disrespect and

invasion of their privacy.invasion of their privacy.

What event made her feel this way? What event made her feel this way? She saw a man on a bridge about to commit She saw a man on a bridge about to commit

suicide. There was a cameraman there taking suicide. There was a cameraman there taking pictures, but saving a few pictures for the pictures, but saving a few pictures for the jump.jump.


Who appears out of the woods? Who appears out of the woods? Granddaddy Cain.Granddaddy Cain.

What does he have in his hands?What does he have in his hands? A bloody chicken hawk.A bloody chicken hawk.


What amazing feat does Granddaddy Cain do?What amazing feat does Granddaddy Cain do?

He kills the chicken hawk’s mate by hitting it He kills the chicken hawk’s mate by hitting it with a hammer. with a hammer.


What is the only thing he says?What is the only thing he says?

““Good day, gentlemen.”Good day, gentlemen.” ““You standin in the missus’ flower bed.”You standin in the missus’ flower bed.”

Discussion QuestionDiscussion Question

How effective is Bambara’s use of a first How effective is Bambara’s use of a first person point of view? Do we get the whole person point of view? Do we get the whole story? How would the story have been story? How would the story have been different if the narrator would have been a different if the narrator would have been a third person limited or omniscient? third person limited or omniscient?

p. 275, Question #1p. 275, Question #1

Which detail of the story was the most memorable for Which detail of the story was the most memorable for you? Was it an image, a statement, a character, or you? Was it an image, a statement, a character, or something else? Pair up with another student and something else? Pair up with another student and share your major memory from the story.share your major memory from the story.

Possible answers: Granny’s telling the filmmakers to Possible answers: Granny’s telling the filmmakers to turn off their camera. Granddaddy’ arrival home, his turn off their camera. Granddaddy’ arrival home, his killing of the second hawk, or his exploring the film.killing of the second hawk, or his exploring the film.


When Smilin and Camera return to the county office, When Smilin and Camera return to the county office, what do you think they tell their supervisor? How do what do you think they tell their supervisor? How do you think they portray the characters of Granny and you think they portray the characters of Granny and Granddaddy Cain?Granddaddy Cain?

Camera and Smilin will most likely blame Camera and Smilin will most likely blame Granddaddy and Granny for the ruined film. Since Granddaddy and Granny for the ruined film. Since they don’t recognize their own insensitivity, they will they don’t recognize their own insensitivity, they will probably portray Granny and Granddaddy as probably portray Granny and Granddaddy as eccentric and belligerent.eccentric and belligerent.


Here you ever said one thing while thinking Here you ever said one thing while thinking something else? What do you imagine something else? What do you imagine Granddaddy Cain is thinking when he says, Granddaddy Cain is thinking when he says, “Good day, gentlemen”? What about when he “Good day, gentlemen”? What about when he says, “You standing in the missus’ flower bed. says, “You standing in the missus’ flower bed. This is our own place”?This is our own place”?

Possible answer: He is probably thinking about Possible answer: He is probably thinking about how angry he is and how he would like to how angry he is and how he would like to throw the men off his property.throw the men off his property.


Writers create powerful impressions with Writers create powerful impressions with concrete dramatic images. What do the concrete dramatic images. What do the suffering hawks in the story suggest to you? suffering hawks in the story suggest to you? (Are they like any characters in the story?)(Are they like any characters in the story?)

Possible answer: The hawks fight desperately, Possible answer: The hawks fight desperately, suggesting courage and strength. They are like suggesting courage and strength. They are like Granddaddy and Granny Cain, who fight to Granddaddy and Granny Cain, who fight to protect their family, property, and privacy.protect their family, property, and privacy.

p. 275, Question #5p. 275, Question #5 State the State the themetheme of the story in the form of a of the story in the form of a generalizationgeneralization about about

our lives—that is, what does the story reveal to you about our need our lives—that is, what does the story reveal to you about our need for respect and sympathy and privacy? Consider these elements of for respect and sympathy and privacy? Consider these elements of the story:the story: The The titletitle The The anecdoteanecdote, or little story, Granny tells about the man on the bridge, or little story, Granny tells about the man on the bridge Cathy’s Cathy’s anecdoteanecdote, or little story, about Goldilocks, or little story, about Goldilocks

Possible themes: People should respect the privacy and property of Possible themes: People should respect the privacy and property of others; people can get through troubles with strength and dignity. others; people can get through troubles with strength and dignity. The title says that the blues, unlike the mockingbird, do not suggest The title says that the blues, unlike the mockingbird, do not suggest self-pity or death. The anecdote about the man on the bridge reveals self-pity or death. The anecdote about the man on the bridge reveals Granny’s disgust with people who take advantage of the misfortunes Granny’s disgust with people who take advantage of the misfortunes of others. Cathy’s version of Goldilocks shows an intruder having of others. Cathy’s version of Goldilocks shows an intruder having no respect for the property or privacy of others.no respect for the property or privacy of others.


What did you learn about the What did you learn about the first-person first-person narratornarrator in this story? What else would you in this story? What else would you know if Granny or her husband were narrating know if Granny or her husband were narrating the story?the story?

The narrator is a young girl who lives with her The narrator is a young girl who lives with her grandparents. If Granny of her husband told grandparents. If Granny of her husband told the story, we would know about their inner the story, we would know about their inner thoughts when they confront the filmmakers.thoughts when they confront the filmmakers.


A family’s privacy is invaded in this story. Invasion A family’s privacy is invaded in this story. Invasion of privacy has become commonplace in today’s of privacy has become commonplace in today’s media. When have you felt that someone’s privacy media. When have you felt that someone’s privacy was invaded by TV cameras or reporters? What was invaded by TV cameras or reporters? What would you do if you were in Granny’s situation? (Be would you do if you were in Granny’s situation? (Be sure to refer to your Quickwrite notes.)sure to refer to your Quickwrite notes.)

Students may mention public figures whose personal Students may mention public figures whose personal lives have been made public. In Granny’s situation, lives have been made public. In Granny’s situation, students might call the family inside and lock the students might call the family inside and lock the doors, call the police, or react much as Granny does.doors, call the police, or react much as Granny does.

Link to Other ResourcesLink to Other Resources

http://go.hrw.com/hrw.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywohttp://go.hrw.com/hrw.nd/gohrw_rls1/pKeywordResults?le0%209-4.2rdResults?le0%209-4.2

c. edge echs english i. quickwrite, p. 266 the grown-ups in this story have plenty of reasons to...

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