In a sentence, try to state this short story’s theme
What will be an ideal response?
- Although there are several possible general themes (“the inequality of men and women” or “a California farm during the Depression”), ask students to articulate a more specific theme, such as a woman’s artistic frustration—whether spiritual, sexual, or emotional—and society’s failure to recognize her gifts.
Read paragraph 71 out loud, noticing that this is a compelling expression of what happens when an artist allows inspiration to come. After all, Elisa’s garden is an artistic expression (despite her repressed environment) and may be viewed as an extension of herself. Compare Elisa’s work in her garden to John Steinbeck’s own words about his work as a writer: “I work because I know it gives me pleasure to work. It is as simple as that and I don’t require any other reasons” (from a 1933 letter cited in John Steinbeck, Writer: A Biography, by Jackson J. Benson [New York: Penguin, 1984] 272). As a point of context, Steinbeck himself experienced a great deal of failure and artistic frustration in 1934, the year that he struggled to write this story.
Language Arts & World Languages
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The disorganized stage yard sales
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Language Arts & World Languages
In contrast to skimming, scanning as a prereading strategy requires the reader to
a. read quickly to locate specific information. b. read quickly to get a general idea of the topic of the entire passage. c. read slowly to find specific information. d. read slowly to analyze the ideas in the text.
Language Arts & World Languages
TV and media companies are portrayed in less-than-flattering light in television
programs. Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Language Arts & World Languages
Ideas can never become extinct
Indicate whether the statement is true or false
Language Arts & World Languages