1. Reading Log Notes: “The First Seven Years”
Literary Terms to know/review:
Motivation
Reasons for a character’s behavior
Foreshadowing
The use of clues to hint at events that will occur later in the plot
Conflict
Struggle or clash between opposing characters, forces, or emotions. (can be internal or external)

2. Reading Log Notes: “The First Seven Years”
Literary Terms to know/review:
Allusion
Reference to something well-known from literature, history, religion, myth, politics, sports, science, or some other aspect of culture.
Inferences
Intelligent guesses based on clues from the text.

3. Reading Log Notes: “The First Seven Years”
Discussion Questions:
On page 161, Feld returns to inside the shop only to hear Sobel violently pounding upon the naked last. Sobel breaks the last and storms out of the shop.
Why do you think he acts this way? What is his motivation? Does it foreshadow anything?

4. Reading Log Notes: “The First Seven Years”
Discussion Questions:
What inferences can be drawn about Miriam and Sobel’s relationship based on the passage on page 162?
Their friendship may be far deeper than anyone realizes.
What qualities does Miriam imply that she wants in a boyfriend? Make an inference based on the statement made on page 164.
She wants someone who has intellectual interest----Sobel?

5. Reading Log Notes: “The First Seven Years”
Discussion Questions:
How is Sobel’s internal conflict finally revealed on page 166?
It makes clear his long term love for Miriam.
How does it also contribute to an external conflict between Feld and Sobel?
Feld wants someone “better” than Sobel for his daughter.
How does the syntax add to the characterization of Sobel in this passage?

6. Reading Log Notes: “The First Seven Years”
Discussion Questions:
Look at page Why type of Allusion is the title?
Biblical Allusion
What theme might the writer be suggesting with this allusion? (Defining Choices)
Sacrifices people make for love