Pg 190 in "Echoes" Textbook
Question 1. a)
Characterizations is an important element in the story. Using specific evidence from the story, develop a character sketch of Anna Avalon. Note which qualities the narrator particularly admires about her mother.
In this short story it is quite obvious as to whom the main character is. Anna Avalon is a former member of a two part blind- fold trapeze act. From a young age she left her family to take on adventure and join the circus. She showed charisma, spirit and courage. She preformed in a trapeze act with the love of her life, her husband Harry Avalon. They were known as the Flying Avalon's when they preformed their acts. Spirit and life were all part of how she did her job. Another quality about Anna would be her compassion and love for others. When her daughter was in the family home when it caught on fire, there was no rescue for her. But the compassionate person Anna is, she finds a way, no matter how dangerous to save her daughter. Anna takes that "leap" for her daughters life. Anna was also extremely modest and never showed off. She had no pictures, customs or souvenirs showing what her career was about. She never told her daughter about her trapeze act either. Her modesty shows through her ageing years. Overall Anna seems like a great person, and its easy to tell how much her daughter admires her, as a role model.
The author's choice of title refers to events in the story, but also has a greater significance. In your opinion, what is its significance beyond alluding to occurrences in the plot? Provide reasons for your interpretation.
The title "Leap" symbolises the leap of faith that you come across during your life. There are moments in your life you can take risk and hope for the best outcome. In the story lightening strikes the tent and Anna needs to make the choice to save her baby. Therefore, the title "Leap" refers to not just physical leaps but many leaps in different senses. The leap at the end of the story refers to the one the narrator makes into her mother's arms. It shows she has trust in her mother.
Question 3. a)
Identify foreshadowing in the story. How does the author build suspense throughout the story until the true nature of the events suggests are revealed?
The author creates foreshadowing throughout the story when it firsts describes her big leaps as a blindfolded trapeze act. The foreshadowing is the different leaps the mother made during her life that lead to the big leap at the end of the story that saved her daughters life in the burning family home. Another leap was the Avalon blindfold act, this later foreshadows the mother's blindness from cataracts. Lastly, the kiss in midair leap foreshadows the window rescue from the fire.
Question 3. b)
The author repeatedly makes use of contrast. Describe an example of contrast and explain why you think the author uses it. Do you think the author has used it effectively? Support your answer.
The author uses contrast throughout the story to illustrate what Anna's choices were and how her decisions shaped her life. One example where contrast was used is when the narrator tells
you the mother never talks about her trapeze skills. This could be how she is scared to talk about it, but she goes ahead to save her child from the burning house.
Question 4
Describe your response to their first-person narration of the story, and explain whether or not you feel the choice of a first-person narrator is an effective one. How might the choice of a different point of view have affected the story?
The first person point of view, adds to "The Leap" because it puts the story in the gathered perspective of the child. Most of the story happens before the daughter is born. It also gives a child's perspective, and since it's deep it makes it sadder too.
ddspv
ReplyDelete