“The Wife’s Story” By Ursula K. Le Guin Pages 268-275

Objectives Students will use text features to improve their understanding short stories. Students will use context clues to decode and define vocabulary terms. Students will read and annotate a short story focusing on key literary elements and plot structure. Students will respond to a variety of questions using evidence from the text to support their answers.

Quick Check Why is the narrator initially happy with her husband? Why does she begin to worry? What has happened to the husband at the end of the story?

Read with a Purpose 3. At first, the narrator describes her husband as “purely good” to her. How does she later regard him?

Tell whether each statement is true (T) or false (F). Vocabulary Check Tell whether each statement is true (T) or false (F). Your cousins are considered your kin. Most people rouse around 3 A.M. Mortal dread might prevent you from taking a risk. Some dogs attack when they see weapons brandished. A happy boy would be cowering in his room.

Literary Analysis 10. Interpret – What point is Le Guin making by reversing the typical werewolf tale and telling the story from the wolf’s point of view? 11. Evaluate – Why do you think Le Guin chose to tell the story with a first-person narrator? Was her choice effective? Why or why not? 12. Extend – Do you think the narrator loves her dead husband? Can one both love and fear someone? Support your ideas.

Literary Skills: Voice 13. Analyze - Describe the narrator’s voice. How does it affect the way you respond to the story?

Literary Skills Review: Suspense 14. Analyze – Writers use suspense – that feeling of uncertainty about what will happen next in a sotry – to capture the reader’s attention. How does Le Guin create suspense in this story?

Why is the narrator initially happy with her Quick Check Why is the narrator initially happy with her husband? Why does she begin to worry? He is a good husband, a good father, and a hard worker. What has happened to the husband at the end of the story? The narrator, her sister, and her children attack and kill him.

She later describes him as the “hateful one” Read with a Purpose At first, the narrator describes her husband as “purely good” to her. How does she later regard him? She later describes him as the “hateful one”

Literary Analysis Interpret – What point is Le Guin making by reversing the typical werewolf tale and telling the story from the wolf’s point of view? She makes the point that humans can behave like beasts and that animals can be caring.

Literary Analysis 11. Evaluate – Why do you think Le Guin chose to tell the story with a first-person narrator? Was her choice effective? Why or why not? The use of a first-person narrator is effective because it builds suspense by only revealing what the narrator knows.

Literary Analysis 12. Extend – Do you think the narrator loves her dead husband? Can one both love and fear someone? Support your ideas. The narrator still feels love for her husband when she wishes that she could see him as he once was. One might love certain aspects of someone and hate other aspects about them.

Literary Skills: Voice Analyze - Describe the narrator’s voice. How does it affect the way you respond to the story? The narrator’s voice is simple and honest. It encourages readers to sympathize with her.

Literary Skills Review: Suspense Analyze – Writers use suspense – that feeling of uncertainty about what will happen next in a story – to capture the reader’s attention. How does Le Guin create suspense in this story? The writer creates suspense by not fully explaining the changes in the husband that worry the narrator and frighten the baby.