SF2 - Lesson: Reading Resources and Expectations

An illustration of a woman sitting in a chair, writing.Reading Resources and Expectations

For this module, you will read five short stories. Two are mandatory and three will be chosen from a list.

Image note: To the right is an illustration from "The Yellow Wallpaper" drawn by Joseph Henry Hatfield in 1892. He created the illustrations for New England Magazine, which originally published the story.

Mandatory Reading Selections:

  • Charlotte Perkins Gilman “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1892)
  • Ernest Hemingway “Hills Like White Elephants” (1927)

Choice Short Stories (Select Three to Read):

  • Edgar Allan Poe “The Cask of Amontillado” (1846)
  • Mary Eleanor Wilkins Freeman “A New England Nun” (1891)
  • James Joyce “Araby” (1914)
  • Tillie Olson “I Stand Her Ironing” (1956)
  • John Updike “A&P” (1962)
  • Toni Morrison “Recitatif” (1982)
  • Sandra Cisneros “The House on Mango Street” (1984)
    • Note: Just the opening chapter from the novel The House on Mango Street.
  • Amy Tan “Two Kinds” (1989)

Where to Access The Stories

Five of the short stories above are available in the public domain, so we have included a PDF copy for each. For any of the remaining short stories, you will need to obtain a copy by other means: check your school library, the local library, or buy a copy to read.

Here are the five stories with PDF links:

Expectations

Like the novels in Unit 3, it is advisable to read all five short stories in their entirety before tackling the activities in this unit. However, gaining an overview of what lies ahead can be beneficial. Since you are engaging with the short stories independently online, without direct teacher instruction, conducting some research beforehand is recommended. While we aim to avoid spoilers, conducting basic research on each short story's context, character summaries, and overall themes can enhance your understanding of each narrative. Additionally, listening to an audio recording of these stories can effectively aid comprehension and help you manage your reading time.

Always keep the end goal in mind. We will have two main focuses based on the assigned and chosen short stories.

The first focus is to compare the intricacies of narrative distance, tone, and perspective, acknowledging their transformative impact on the overall storytelling tapestry within the two required stories.

The second focus involves a deeper understanding of archetypes for all five stories in this unit.

It is recommended to keep these goals in mind before delving into the five short stories. This will enable you to customize your notes and reading focus for each specific purpose.

Reflection

Remember to read actively by engaging in intentional annotation. In addition to annotating standard literary devices such as theme, plot, setting, and character, include commentary on narrative structures and archetypes to deepen your critical reading skills.

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