1. ENG 1D1
Tuesday March 3rd, 2015

2. It’s Tuesday!

3. Today’s Agenda Homework Check - “The Kayak” Questions
Discuss “The Kayak”
Symbolism Note
Pictionary
Coat of Arms

4. Homework Check!
Take out your responses to the questions on “The Kayak”

5. Question 1
The lead of a short story should catch the reader’s attention; identify the main character, introduce the conflict, define the setting, and establish the point of view. Does the lead of “The Kayak” accomplish all of these things? Explain.

6. Answer 1
The lead of “The Kayak” is effective because it is engaging and introduces the main elements of the story. For example, the story begins, “The choppy waves rise and fall. I ride the wave. My kayak bobs like a cork in the swirling waters of Georgian Bay” (1). The opening lines are engaging because the simile, wherein the movement of the kayak is compared to a cork in the swirling waters. This creates suspense as the reader worries about the wellbeing of the narrator. In addition, these lines introduce the narrator as a thrill seeker, establish a person vs nature conflict due to the vulnerability of the narrator in the windy weather, develop the windy setting of Georgian Bay, and establish the first person point of view. Therefore, the lead of “The Kayak” is effective.

7. Question 2
The plot of most stories revolves around conflict. Conflicts may be external or internal. Identify both external and internal conflict in the plot of “The Kayak”. How are they related? Which one do you think is more important?

8. Answer 2
There are internal and external conflicts in “The Kayak;” however, the external conflicts are more important to understanding the theme that first impressions are often unreliable. Teresa has an internal person versus self conflict because she struggles with feelings of helplessness on land. Additionally, Teresa and Jaime have external conflicts against nature and each other. Teresa and Jaime struggle to fully understand each other. For example, when Jaime almost hits Teresa’s kayak, she thinks, “Stupid kid, he’s not even wearing a life jacket” (1). At first, Teresa is upset towards Jaime because she thinks he is showing off. A few paragraphs later, Jaime reveals that this is the first time he has tried windsurfing and that he does not know how to do it. Teresa’s impression of Jaime is inaccurate. Thus, this person versus person conflict is important because it establishes theme.

9. Question 3
Often, fiction writers use details to setting to reflect or emphasize the main character’s state of mind. Identify at least two place details in “The Kayak” that help convey a sense of Teresa’s state of mind.

10. Answer 3
The setting reflects the Teresa’s state of mind several times within the story. In the beginning Teresa is very content but challenged by the weather which foreshadows: “Powerful swirls of wind and current toss me about” (Spring 1). Kayaking allows Teresa a freedom that she does not feel on land in her wheelchair, so she is more relaxed on the water and confident in her abilities and can manage troubling situations. Whereas, later in the story she is frustrated by her paraplegia and it is mirrored by the weather: “Tears sting my eyes, mixed with rain” (Spring 3). The author uses pathetic fallacy to demonstrate Teresa’s frustration in her inability to control the lower half of her body. Her tears also show her embarrassment at her role reversal, as she is previously Jamie’s rescuer, she is now helpless and needs assistance to move. Hence, the author demonstrates Teresa’s state of mind through the setting of the story.

11. Question 4
To help their readers “see” the story in their minds, writers often include physical details about their characters. Identify two passages in the story that provide details about the character’s physical appearance. How is the author able to include these details without interrupting the action of the story?

12. Answer 4
Author’s use physical descriptions of the characters to help the reader imagine the character and the story clearly. Debbie Spring initially describes Teresa: “ I have on my life jacket and emergency whistle. I am one with the kayak. The blue boat is an extension of my legs” (Spring 1). The readers can imagine what the protagonist looks like while doing her favourite activity. We also get a description on Jamie from Teresa’s point a view: “The windsurfer looks around eighteen. I take a quick glance at his tanned muscles and sandy, blond hair” (Spring 1). Spring describes Jamie in this way to demonstrate that Teresa is attracted to Jamie and foreshadows their later camp fire date. Therefore, by providing physical descriptions of the characters the author allows the reader to not only picture what they look like, but also gives us clues into the characters interactions with one another.

13. Question 5
Most short stories span a relatively brief time period, often beginning in the middle of the action and filling in the necessary details as the story progresses. Find examples in the model to show how the author can include important details that happened before the story begins.

14. Question 5
The author includes the important background information of Teresa’s physical challenges as a story progresses. The reader learns of her physical challenge when: “I watch his discomfort. I’ve seen it all before. Awkwardness. Forced conversation. A feeble excuse and a fast getaway. My closer friends tried a little harder. They lasted two or three visits. Then, they stopped coming around” (Spring 3). Jamie does not realize that Teresa is paraplegic since she rescues him. Consequently, Teresa struggles in social situations since she is wheelchair bound and self-conscious.

15. Question 6
The heart of every short story is its theme. The theme is usually closely tied to the change that occurs in the story. Identify what changes occur in the story and explain the message the author is trying to convey.

16. Answer 6
Debbie Spring demonstrates that one must overcome personal insecurities in order to grow and develop new relationships. Teresa fears that Jamie will react to her physical challenge like the rest of her friends: “‘What you really want to know is how long I’ve been crippled.’ Jamie winces” (Spring 4). However, Jamie moves past Teresa’s insecurities and invites her to his friend’s campfire, subverting Teresa’s expectations of his behaviour. Therefore, through personal acceptance and Jamie’s invitation Teresa is able to overcome her insecurities and form a new friendship.

17. Symbolism
Please fill in blanks on your symbolism handout.

18. Symbolism A symbol is a word or image that represents something else.
The eagle is a symbol of freedom.
The dove is a symbol of peace.
The balance scale is a symbol of justice.
Writers use symbols to evoke emotions from readers.

19. Symbolism What does the color white symbolize?
What does Santa Claus symbolize?
What does cupid symbolize?

20. Symbolism Read the poem “Fingerprints” by Kim Johnson.
What do the “four small bruises on the front, a large one on back” represent?

21. Symbolism
The meaning of a symbol arises from the reader's experience. Each reader draws whatever connections are meaningful for him or her. New symbols are formed all the time. Create some original symbols for each of these ideas.
Be prepared to share!
1. Beauty:
2. Wisdom:
3. Love:
4. Evil:

22. Pictionary
In two teams we are going to apply our understanding of symbolism in a game of pictionary.
Taking turns, you will have one minute to use symbols to represent your phrase.

23. Coat of Arms
Using symbols, words, and pictures create a Coat of Arms to represent you!
Possible categories include:
• Personality
• Extra-curricular
• Pastimes/hobbies
• Values
• Vices
• Virtues