Q2 of 25 Page 51

There is a difference in the way "School" was being played at the beginning and at the end. What is the change?

There is a difference in the way "School" was being played at the beginning and at the end. Marian was playing ‘schools’ alone in the beginning. Marian was a lovely girl of seven years. She was playing a game of schools with her dolls – herself as a teacher and her dolls, her students. She grew angry with the dolls as they didn’t obey her instructions as students do with their teachers. She was deaf and dumb. She was intelligent and sensitive. The game was tasteless without Christabel, Marian’s favourite doll. So she brought the doll from the attic before playing to make the game was interesting. Towards the end, Anne saw that Freda was in the garden with Marian. She had brought her own dolls over; the 'class' seemed larger and brighter, and had a comfortable air. Marian, the Headmistress, sat in her 'office'; Freda, as Assistant Teacher, pretended to consult her, and made notes in a little book. She looked up, carelessly, when she saw me.


More from this chapter

All 25 →
2

How to analyse a short story:

An analysis of a short story requires basic knowledge of literary elements.


1) Setting: It is a description of where and when the story takes place. What role does settingplay in this story?


2) Characterization: In short stories there are usually fewer characters compared to a novel.


We get to know about the characters through his/her words, actions, Reactions, feelings,thoughts andmovements.


3. Plot and structure: The plot is usually centred around one experience.


4. Narrator and point of view: The narrator is the person telling the story.


By point of view we mean through whose eyes the story is being told. Short stories tend to betoldthrough one character's point of view.


5. Conflict: In a short story there is one main struggle. It could be internal/external.


6. Climax: It is the turning point where events take a major turn as the story reaches itsconclusion.


7. Theme - is the main message


8. Style: The writer's style is seen in language, vocabulary and tone. The style conveys thewriter'sattitude towards the theme


Based on the guidelines given, write a 200-250 word analysis of the story, giving your opinion at the end.

 1

Using the inputs in b), write a paragraph comparing Marian and Freda in about 150-200 words.

 3

Why did Anne discourage Freda from playing with Marian?

 4

How does Anne's attitude towards her child change?