Lesson 21: The Valiant

  Turn to SA 21A.  Independently complete the Literature Web for The Valiant.  Now share your web with your partner Discussion

  The Warden and Father Daly feel differently about Dyke than they do about other prisoners. Why?  If you had been Dyke’s lawyer, what arguments would you have used to try to get him a reduced sentence?  What does Dyke mean when he tells Father Daly that neither he nor anybody in the courtroom heard “the whole story and both sides of it”? Why did he not tell his side of the story in the courtroom? Discussion: Literary Response and Interpretation Questions

  Why does the Warden say that Dyke “never heard of Shakespeare– much less learned him”? What evidence is there earlier in the play that Dyke is a well-read man?  What does Dyke reveal about himself in the meeting with the girl?  Why does Dyke tell the story about Joseph Anthony Paris’s actions in the war? Discussion: Literary Response and Interpretation Questions

  What do you think Dyke would have done with the bonds if the girl had not come?  What is meant by the words, “Cowards die many times before their death;/ The valiant never taste of death but once”? Why does Dyke repeat these words at the end of the play? Discussion: Literary Response and Interpretation Questions

  What does this story say about courage? Does Dyke display more or less courage by withholding the truth of his identity from the Warden and Father Daly? From the girl? Would the girl have been more or less comforted if he had told her that he was her brother?  What evidence is there that Dyke is the girl’s brother? What evidence is there that he is not her brother? Discussion: Reasoning Questions

  What assumptions does the Warden make about the girl before she arrives? Why does her appearance surprise him?  What inferences can you make about Dyke’s character, based on the evidence in the story?  What does this story say about justice? Discussion: Reasoning Questions

  Describe the various changes in Dyke’s actions during the conversation with the girl. What decisions does he make during the scene?  If Dyke had admitted to being Joseph Paris, how could the conclusion of the play have changed? Would the end have been easier or more difficult for him? How would the girl’s image of her brother have changed?  How does the play support the generalizations about change? Discussion: Change Questions

  Much of what we know about the characters in this play come from stage directions.  Give examples of stage directions that tell about the qualities of the characters.  What additional characteristics would an actor give to the characters in the performance? 21.2 Compare Stories and Plays

  You will be divided into groups of 3-4 students.  Your group should select a scene from the play to perform for the rest of the class.  You will have time to rehearse before you perform.  Follow-up:  Why did you choose the scene you did?  What did you learn about the characters by preparing the performance of the play?  How is watching a play different than reading it? 21.2 Compare Stories and Plays

  Take out SA 21B.  Complete this page independently Compare Stories and Plays

  Turn to SA 21C.  Work with your partner to complete a Vocabulary Web for one of the following words from The Valiant :  Valiantinsouciant  Martyrvacuity  Metropolitanmalice  Dubiouslysovereign  Feloniousindulgent  autobiography Vocabulary

  Respond to the following prompt:  The girl tells the warden that the uncertainty about the fate of her son has made her mother sick. The mother would rather hear bad news than remain unsure of her son’s whereabouts. Would you rather hear bad news than be uncertain about something? Explain. If possible, use a personal experience to illustrate or support your position. Response Journal

  Complete the final draft of your editorial by tomorrow.  Complete your oral presentation by tomorrow.  Review and add notes to SA 7B, The Cultures and Change Matrix by Lesson 23. Homework