E4.6.B
Description:
Analyze how characters’ behaviors and underlying motivations contribute to moral dilemmas that influence the plot and theme.
Maps to Reading Plus skills:
3B
Exemplars
3B: Analyzing Plot/Character
3B: Analyzing Plot/Character
Description:
Analyzing setting, plot, and character
SeeReader
✓ standard met
Selection:
K-23
K-23
Grade level: 11
Word count: 2412 words
Author: Anton Chekhov
Synopsis: A wager between a banker and a lawyer yields an unexpected result.
Excerpt:
"That cursed bet!" murmured the old man, clutching his head in despair. "He's only forty years old, he will deprive me of my last penny, marry, enjoy life, and I will look on like an envious beggar and hear the same dreaded words from him every day: 'I'm obliged to you for my life's happiness.' No, no, it's too much -- the only escape from bankruptcy and disgrace is that the man should die."
Question:
Based on this excerpt, what conclusion can be made about the banker's motivations?
- His greed drove him to consider committing a terrible crime.
- His jealousy caused him to feign friendship while plotting revenge.
- His selfishness drove him to lie about the original wager.
- His pride caused him to openly reject his wealth while secretly hiding it.
Writing
✓ standard met
Writing prompt:
Imagine you are the main character in a selection you read. Would your emotional reactions to events in the selection be the same as those of the actual character? Explain why or why not.
Evaluator
Organization:
Certica Solutions