Five Categorical Questions for
"My Man Bovanne"
In a new Microsoft Word
document, after typing your name, skip a line and respond as best as you can to
these five questions:
1. Skipping the exposition (beginning) and the
denouement/resolution (ending) stages of the five stages in a conventional plot, type each of the three middle stages (typing
each on a new line): "Rising Action:," "Climax:,"
and "Falling
Action:." For each label, describe where in the story each stage takes place as best as you can.
In other words: what's the tension or conflict (for
rising action)? In your opinion, what's
the climactic moment? And what's the fallout or consequence (falling
action) of the climactic
moment?
2. If one definition of a good short story is that it is about the
transformation of a main character, then answer this: who do you think this
story is principally about and what is his/her transformation? Describe the
before and after states for this character.
3. For the setting question, using the evidence in the story, see if you
can identify the following features of this story: at about what time in
American history is this story likely taking place (what year or years do you
think most likely)? Why do you think so? Where, geographically, do you believe
this story takes place? What is your evidence? Finally, a very specific local
question: what kind of building are the characters in for the majority of the
action in this story?
4. What is the point of view in this story? How can you tell?
5. Finally, just to begin to tap into themes or literary motifs, consider
the following three questions (and simply number them with a, b, and c letters,
providing about 2 - 3 sentences for each response):
-
Why is Bovanne
ignored or dismissed by so much of the community?
What might he symbolize in this story?
-
Do you think Hazel's children treat her
appropriately? In other words, does
Hazel need to be put in her place?
If so, why, and if not, why not?
-
Who is the most admirable or praiseworthy character in this
story? Why?