Incoming Pre-AP English II: Discussion Boards for "Lottery" and "Open Window"

9/26 Update: At this point all responses need to be made on paper. Please submit your COMPLETE (not partial) responses when all 12 questions have been answered.

Last week you needed to read either "The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson or "The Open Window" by Saki (or both, if you're cool like that). This week, pick two questions for one of the stories (two for the same story), click the "Discuss" link, and add your response to the message board for that question.

I'll be checking the boards throughout the week; I look forward to your responses. In some cases I may prod for deeper thinking if you've just scratched the surface with your answers.

The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
("Lottery" audiofile)

• Character Names: Mr. Summers, Mr. Graves, and Mr. Warner are three characters in the story. What significance can be attributed to Jackson's name choices for these three characters? Discuss.


• One form of irony occurs in a story when the opposite of what is expected occurs. What is ironic about the title of this story? Discuss.


• Re-read the story. What clues did Jackson provide early in the story that subtly foreshadow the ending? Discuss.


• This story is told in Third Person Omniscient point of view. This POV helps the author keep the narrator at a distance from the characters, even though the narrator can read their thoughts. What does Jackson gain by keeping the reader's perception at a distance from the characters? Discuss.

The Open Window by Saki (H.H. Munro)
("Open Window" audiofile)

• Character Names: Vera is the name of the self-possessed young lady of fifteen Framton Nuttel meets. The origin of her name ver is the Latin root for Truth (e.g., veracity, verity, veritable, etc.). Why is this ironic? Discuss.


• What details of her aunt's sitting room does Vera use to contribute to the believability of her story/stories? Discuss.


• Early in the story the narrator expresses some of Framton Nuttel's inner turmoil like this

  Framton Nuttel endeavoured to say the correct something which should duly flatter the niece of the moment without unduly discounting the aunt that was to come.

  How does this help the reader better understand Nuttel's character? Discuss. (Discuss other aspects of Nuttel's portrayal, including perhaps, his name, here also.)


• This story is told in Third Person Omniscient point of view. This POV helps the author keep the narrator at a distance from the characters, even though the narrator can read their thoughts. What does Saki gain by keeping the reader's perception at a distance from the characters? Discuss.

If you have other elements of the stories you'd like to discuss, add them in the comments and I'll create a message board. Thanks!