The Telephone Call
Terms
undefined, object
copy deck
- bewilderment
- a completely puzzled or confused condition; great confusion
- cope
- to struggle or deal with something successfully
- objective
- not influenced by personal thoughts or feelings
- orphan
- child whose parents are dead
- tactful
- having or showing an ability to say and do the right things
- afflicted
- greatly troubled; distressed
- copilot
- assistant or second pilot in an aircraft
- empathy
- ability to imagine yourself in someone else's situation and to understand that person's feelings
- Northern Lights
- streamers or bands of light appearing in the sky at night in the northern regions of the Northern Hemisphere; aurora borealis
- temperament
- someone's nature or disposition
- characters
- people or animals in stories
- cafe' expresso
- a strong coffee made from beans roasted black
- Cassiopeia's Chair
- group of five bright stars in the constellation Cassiopeia that looks something like a chair
- Sagittarius
- constellation that looks something like an archer
- Scorpio
- Constellation that looks something like a scorpion
- Who is the narrator of the story?
- Vicky, a daughter in the family, narrates the story
- What is the mood at the beginning of the story? What details help create this mood?
- The mood is tense and uncertain. Vicky's mother is brisk, and Vicky is confused about what is happening.
- What is the setting of this story? How does the author describe the setting?
- It takes place near Thronhill, a New England village. Thornhill has white houses set back on sloping lawns with many elm and maple trees. Vicky describes the setting as she bicycles on a hilly back road.
- Whyis Vicky suddenly shy about seeing Uncle Douglas and Aunt Elena?
- She is unsure about how to act around her newly widowed aunt.
- What does Vicky's reaction to Aunt Elena show you about Vicky as a person? Use details and information from the story to support your answer.
- It shows that she is sensitive to other people's feelings, but that she is unsure about how to express her own feelings.
- How does John's behavior toward Aunt Elena differ from Vicky's?
- John is able to express his sorrow.
- List the main events in the story so far.
-
1. A telephone call brings news of Uncle Hal's death in a plane crash.
2. Vicky, unlike her brother John, is unable to express her sorrow to Aunt Elena.
3. Uncle Douglas and Aunt Elena bring Maggy to stay with Vicky's family. - Why does Uncle Douglas mention the story of the Ugly Duckling?
- Uncle Douglas mentions the story because he believes Vicky will grow up to be beautiful like the Ugly Duckling.
- Why does Vicky want to cry when she hears Aunt Elena playing the piano?
- The music reminds Vicky that Uncle Hal will never hear her aunt play again. This makes his death seem more real.
- How does Uncle Douglas explain John's ablity to show that he is sorry? Use details and information from the story to support your answer.
- He says that John has a scientific mind and can be objective about what has happened.
-
Objective has many meanings. How can you tell which meaning makes sense when
it is used to describe John. - The passage that used the word defines it by describing John as someone who can "see what has happened from the outside."
- Why do you thing Vicky feels only a "strange bewilderment" for Maggy?
- Maggy is a stranger. She has said hurtful things about Vicky. Vicky never knew Maggy's father or mother.
- Why might Mother want to go outside and watch the sky?
- Mother thinks it will be peaceful there. She knows that getting away from a difficult situation often helps people think aobut things more clearly.
- How has the mood changed since the beginning of the story?
- At the beginning the mood is tense and uncertain. Now, there is a mood of calm and acceptance but also of great sadness.
- What does Mother mean when she says, We can't stop on the road of Time?" Do you agree with her? Explain.
-
Mother means that time is always passing; children grow up; people grow old; and things always change.
Disagree or agree - it's your opinion. - What effect does going to the mountain have on Mother, John, and Vicky?
- It alllows them to talk and think about their feelings for one another and grow closer.
- What is the mood as the story ends? What details contribute to this mood?
- The mood is one of peace and hope. The family is close and loving.
- What does Vicky mean when she says there are things we can never understand?
- She means that we may never understand why there is change or why people die.
- poetry
- poetry
- beautyful
- beautiful
- therteen
- thirteen
- tongeu
- tongue
- peices
- pieces
- thosand
- thousand
- throogh
- through
- unusaul
- unusual
- biulding
- building
- lisence
- license
- remodel
- remodel
- greatful
- grateful
- emeny
- enemy
- instriment
- instrument
- perfarm
- perform
- prefur
- prefer
- juged
- judged
- adjusted
- adjusted
- soldeir
- soldier
- nieborhood
- neighborhood