Download - THE AMERICAN OLD WEST
Mid-1800s in the Rocky Mountains
THE AMERICAN OLD WEST
THE WILDERNESS ROAD
In 1775, Daniel Boone blazed a trail from Virginia through the into central Kentucky.
During the nest 140 years, it was lengthened, following Native American trails, to reach the Falls of the Ohio at Louisville.
The Wilderness Road was steep and rough, and it could only be traveled to on foot or horseback.
Despite the difficult conditions, 350,000 pioneers used it in search for a better life.
HOMESTEADERS
VOCABULARYPRARIE
A wide area of flat land without trees in northern USA
COWBOYS & INDIANS
SKIMPYNot large enough
BOOST UPTo improve or increase something
CONESTOGA WAGONa large covered wagon used for long-distance travel, typically carrying pioneers in the westward migration.Origin:early 18th century: named after Conestoga, a town in Pennsylvania
VOCABULARY
CREAKED & RUMBLEDMake a long sound when it moves & to make continuous low sound
WESTWARDToward west
SAWMILLA factory where trees are cut up into pieces with machines
SCOWLTo look at someone with a very annoyed expression
VOCABULARY
1. What inferences (logical guesses) can you make about the narrator’s family?The narrator is travelling with his father and two little sisters. Because the mother is not mentioned, perhaps she has died. The family is poor.
2. What reasons does Pa give for not wanting Mary to join them?They’re out of money and almost out of food. He doesn’t want to be responsible for another person.
COMPREHENSION
TimberWood used for building
StumpsRotted
To decaySpoiled
destroyDesperate
Suffering from extreme needHe ranged through the woods with his rifle. But we
never got any dead meat. gameWild animals that are hunted for food
Grudging gift from the homesteadersunwilling
VOCABULARY
Rigged up the tarp sheetTo fix a piece of equipment in place
Tarp= heavy waterproof cloth used for coveringCreek for fishing
A stream or narrow riverPardner
Used as a informal form of address, usually between men
Plodded offTo walk taking slow step
VOCABULARY
Why do you think the narrator says “To this day I don’t care for fishing”?He doesn’t like to fish because he still remembers how hard his father tried to catch a fish and how sad and discouraged his father was when he couldn’t.
How do Pa’s words tell about him?He feels resentful and defeated and has almost given up.
COMPREHENSION
What is the family’s worst problem? What is Pa’s plan to solve it?They are running out of food; Pa plans to find his uncle in town & get some food.
THINK IT THROUGH
MoldyBad
RacketUnpleasant loud continuous noise
Pitch-dark (line 95)Extremely dark
WhipI got plumb lost (line 100)
Completely lost
VOCABULARY
ClearingAn area in a wood or forest from which trees and bushes have been removed
GrubFood
HuddledStanding or sitting close together
Dried outBeing independent
VOCABULARY
Never saw hide nor hair (line 116)Not to see someone at all at a period of time
DampSlightly wet
HeftWeigh
Pound = 454 grams
VOCABULARY
Why is the loss of the horse so important?The horse is useful and worth a lot of money. The family could not easily replace it. If things go badly, the horse may also keep the family from starving to death. To the narrator, the horse stands for the trust his father placed in him.
COMPREHENSION
Do you agree with the narrator that 11 years old is too old to cry? Why or why not?
COMPREHENSION
The family’s situation has changed. How has it gotten worse?The family has run out of food, and Pa has not returned.
THINK IT THROUGH
I growled. (line 150)She was holding the can with the porcupine
grease. (line 153)I endured the smell of the mushroom frying
as long as I could.put up with
I was so scared that my stomach heaved. (line 182)
Savoring lifeEnjoying & appreciating fully
VOCABULARY 4
What do Mary’s actions show about her?She is brave, self-sacrificing, responsible, caring.
THINK IT THROUGH
I answered gruffly, “I don’t know.” (line 207)Not saying too much
Looking out at the dripping world (line 209)Wet weather
My father came plunging out of the woodsWalking sedately
In slow, dignified way
VOCABULARY 5
What does the last line of the story tell you?Pa & Mary eventually get married.What can you infer, or figure out, about Mary’s
character? What clues tell you this?She is strong, brave, & independence person
who stands up for herself & cares about others.In what ways does Mary show the toughness
necessary for pioneer life?She has survived whippings, can cook, and is
physically strong enough for hard life; she faces death to feed the children.
THINK IT THROUGH
CHARACTERS
Main Characte
rs
Minor Characte
rs
LITERATURE: CHARACTERS
People, animals, imaginary creatures that take part in the
action of a story.
•A story usually focuses on events in the life of one or more characters.•Dynamic, change,•Grow in some way
•Less important characters•Interact with the main characters•Static, they change little
PO
MASTER SHI FU
THE FURIOUS FIVE: tigress, mantis, viper, crane, monkey
KUNGFU PANDAWrite the name of a storyIdentify the charactersClassify as main or minorDynamic or staticDescribe each character: appearance &
personalityGive reasons for their answers
Who are the main characters?Mary & the narratorWhat do you learn about Mary?Mary is strong, brave, determined, and hard
working. She has not had an easy life.
THINK IT THROUGH