1. By James Thurber

2.  rakishly adv. in a happy, careless way  auxiliary n. something extra to be used in case of an emergency  grossly adv. greatly and unpleasantly  distraught adj. troubled or confused  craven adj. fearful; cowardly  vaulted v. jumped  insolent adj. boldly disrespectful

3.  pandemonium n. chaos; loud and excited confusion  bedlam n. loud activity  cur n. uncivilized person  rending v. tearing into pieces  derisive adj. scornful; thinking something unworthy  inscrutable adj. baffling; mysterious

4.  “We’re going through!” The Commander’s voice was like thin ice breaking. He wore his full-dress uniform, with the heavily braided white cap pulled down rakishly over one cold gray eye. “We can’t make it, sir. It’s spoiling for a hurricane, if you ask me.” “I’m not asking you, Lieutenant Berg,” said the Commander. “Throw on the power lights! Rev her up to 8,500! We’re going through!” The pounding of the cylinders increased: ta-pocketa- pocketa-pocketa-pocketa-pocketa. The Commander stared at the ice forming on the pilot window. He walked over and twisted a row of complicated dials. “Switch on No. 8 auxiliary!” he shouted. “Switch on No. 8 auxiliary!” repeated Lieutenant Berg. “Full strength in No. 3 turret!” shouted the Commander. “Full strength in No. 3 turret!” The crew, bending to their various tasks in the huge, hurtling eight-engined Navy hydroplane, looked at each other and grinned. “The Old Man’ll get us through,” they said to one another. “The Old Man ain’t afraid of Hell!”...

5. A character is a person or an animal who takes part in the action of a literary work.  A round character has many different traits or qualities. For example, a round character might be bold, honest, and resourceful.  A flat character has one key trait or quality. For example, a character who appears to be selfish and has no other traits is a flat character.

6.  A dynamic character grows, changes, and learns something during the story.  A static character stays the same during the story. Discuss – Is the Commander a round or a flat character? Use textual evidence from the first paragraph to support your answer.

7. Author’s Purpose – main reason for writing Story Event or Detail Possible Importance Author’s Purpose

8.  “Walter Mitty drove on toward Waterbury in silence, the roaring of the SN202 through the worst storm in twenty years of Navy flying fading in the remote, intimate airways of his mind.” What does this passage suggest about the author’s purpose in writing the story? (Hint: Use the graphic organizer)

9.  In your journal, please write down one thing you learned during the DRC presentation and how you think it will help you in school. (At least two sentences)

10.  He drove around the streets aimlessly for a time, and then he drove past the hospital on his way to the parking lot.... “It’s the millionaire banker, Wellington McMillan,” said the pretty nurse. They slipped a white gown on him; he adjusted a mask and drew on thin gloves; nurses handed him shining...

11. Author’s Purpose – main reason for writing Story Event or Detail Possible Importance Author’s Purpose

12.  “Back it up, Mac! Lookout for that Buick!” Walter Mitty jammed on the brakes. “Wrong lane, Mac,” said the parking-lot attendant, looking at Mitty closely. Discuss the author’s purpose for revealing these glimpses into Mitty’s life and thoughts.

13. A character is a person or an animal who takes part in the action of a literary work.  A round character has many different traits or qualities.  A flat character has one key trait or quality.  A dynamic character grows, changes, and learns something during the story.  A static character stays the same during the story. Please reflect on the characters we have encountered so far in this story.

14.  Daydream #1  Daydream #2  Daydream #3  Daydream #4  Daydream #5 Please discuss your assigned daydream in your group. In your groups, please assign the roles of readers, writers, and speakers. Let’s look at Daydream #2 as an example.

15. Prentice Hall Literature – Reader’s Notebook pgs. 59-61