WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS LITERARY TERMS

Characterization

Definitions Characterization: How the author reveals the personality of the characters. There are two types of characterization: - Direct Characterization - Indirect Characterization

Direct Characterization Direct Characterization: The author directly TELLS the audience about the character’s personality. Example: “The patient boy and quiet girl were both at the game.” The author is telling us that the boy is patient and the girl is quiet

Indirect Characterization Indirect Characterization: The author SHOWS things that reveal the character’s personality.

Indirect Characterization There are FIVE different ways to show indirect characterization: -Speech -Thoughts -Effect on other characters -Actions -Looks (S.T.E.A.L.)

Indirect Characterization Speech- What does the character say? How does the character speak? Example: “Hey, we can have lots of fun at camp this summer! I love being outside!” This shows us the character is upbeat and happy.

Indirect Characterization Thoughts- What is revealed through the character’s thoughts and feelings? Example: I wish it would stop raining. I am tired of sitting inside! This shows us the character is not happy about the situation.

Indirect Characterization Effect on Others- What is revealed through the character’s effect on other people? How do other characters feel or behave in reaction to the character? Example: The boy glared at his sister as she ate his dessert. This shows us that the character is upset about his sister’s behavior and inability to think of others.

Indirect Characterization Actions- What does the character do? How does the character behave? Example: The girl rode the lawn mower through the house and into the garage. This shows us the girl is not concerned with rules or safety.

Indirect Characterization Looks- What does the character look like? How does the character dress? Example: The little girl left the game with slumped shoulders and a frown on her face. This shows us the little girl is not enjoying herself and is upset.

REMEMBER The Difference The difference: Direct = Telling vs. Indirect = SHOWING! There is no mystery with direct characterization because the author gives us the information we need to know! Indirect characterizations are like clues about the characters.

FLASHBACK

Flashback A flashback is a literary device where the story starts in one time and goes back to another time. At some point in the story, the author has a flashback to a distant memory from a previous time. It is MORE than a memory or remembering the story goes BACK IN TIME!

THEME

Theme A theme is the main idea or underlying meaning of a literary work. A theme is something that the author returns to from time to time. Can you think of a metaphor for theme?

Theme Metaphors for Themes: -Whale -Rollercoaster -Others…

Theme The theme is different from the subject. The subject is the topic of the story. The theme makes a statement or expresses an opinion about the topic.

Theme Example: The topic of a story might be: war. The theme of that story might be: war is useless, war is destructive, war is sad, or war destroys human life.

Theme Authors express their theme in many different ways. Characters Action or Events Feelings Words and Thoughts

Theme Authors express their theme in many different ways. 1) Characters. The main characters sometimes illustrate the main theme of the story. What does the character do, learn, or overcome during the course of the story? What is the character like?

Theme 2) Actions or events. What happens during a story often suggests a theme. People commonly express their ideas and feelings through their actions. What does that action say? What is the the main event of the story like?

Theme 3) Feelings. How does the author show how the characters feel? How does the author make us feel?

Theme 4) Words and thoughts. What do the characters say or think? Why do they say or think those things? Look for thoughts that are repeated throughout the story.

Theme Remember: There are many ways for an author to express the theme. The theme is the underlying meaning of the book. The theme is NOT the subject. The theme comes up from time to time during the book A Theme is not one word, it is a statement

Theme Themes in Where the Red Fern Grows: Hard work pays off Determination pays off Sacrifice is important Spirituality and belief are powerful The strength of love and family connections

SYMBOL

Symbol A symbol is a device in literature where something in the story stands for or represents something. A symbol has meaning itself, but it also has meaning on another level beyond the surface meaning. Some symbols are conventional and generally mean the same thing to all readers.

Symbol General Examples: Heroes wear white and villains wear black. A bright, sunny day means happiness. A dark, rainy day means sadness. Water can be a symbol of cleansing.

Symbol Where the Red Fern Grows examples: Fire/Light Darkness Water Dogs Lion The red fern

LEGEND

Legend A legend is a story that comes from the past and is handed down from generation to generation. A legend is popular and it seems to be historically accurate, but it is not verifiable. A legend may be about mythical or supernatural beings or events