Before studying these lessons in supplementary reading, it is suggested that the teacher read again what has been said on "Extensive Reading", p. 39 of this Manual.
SOUTH-WEST WIND, ESQ.
(Third Reader, page 86)
You have read the story of South-West Wind, Esq., in the Third Reader.
Who were the persons mentioned in this story? Three brothers, Schwartz, Hans, and Gluck.
What were their characters? Schwartz and Hans were rich but very miserly; they were quarrelsome, drunken, and cruel. Gluck was kind, polite, and unselfish.
How did Gluck show these qualities? He admitted the stranger into the house for shelter from the rain, when he knew his brothers would punish him for so doing; he asked politely to take the stranger's cloak, when the water dripping from it was putting the fire out; and he offered him his share of the mutton, although he knew it meant that he must go without his own supper.
When the older brothers returned what did they do? They tried to punish Gluck and to force the stranger out of the house.
What happened? They were hurled to the ground by the stranger, who was much stronger than they supposed.
What other punishment did they receive? The roof was blown off the house while they slept, and their beautiful valley, together with their crops and cattle, was utterly destroyed by the heavy rains.
Who was the stranger? He left his card with "South-West Wind, Esq." written on it.
Now the story in the Reader is only the first chapter of a longer story, which relates what fortune came to the three brothers. What should you expect would happen to them? I should expect that Schwartz and Hans would have more troubles, and that Gluck would be rewarded for his kind-heartedness.
CHAPTER II
Read the second chapter of this longer story called The King of the Golden River.
Give me the main points in this chapter?
1. The valley was turned into a desert.
2. The brothers became goldsmiths.
3. The mug
4. Gluck's wish that the river would turn into gold
5. The voice from the furnace
6. The dwarf
7. The King told Gluck how the river could be turned into gold.
What are the characters of the two brothers in this chapter? They were very dishonest and even tried to mix copper with the gold. They were drunken and wasted their money, and they were lazy and cruel.
Describe the mug that was being melted. It had been given to them by their uncle, and Gluck was very fond of it. It was made of gold almost in the form of a human face. The face was fierce and red, the eyes were bright, the beard and whiskers were of fine gold, and the hair was of fine spun gold, forming the handle of the mug.
While the mug was being melted in the furnace, what did Gluck see as he looked out of the window? The range of mountains overhanging Treasure Valley, with the mountain tops shining in the sunset.
This is a lovely description of a sunset in the mountains. Pick out the details of the picture. "Rocks ... all crimson and purple with the sunset", "bright tongues of fiery cloud", "the river ... a waving column of pure gold", "the double arch of a broad purple rainbow", "flushing and fading alternately in the wreaths of spray".
What words suggest colours? "Crimson", "purple", "fiery", "pure gold", "purple rainbow", "flushing", "fading".
What did this picture suggest to Gluck? It made him wish that the river were really gold.
Describe the dwarf who came out of the furnace. He was a foot and a half high; his hair and beard were long, curled, and delicate, and his face was copper-coloured.
Account for the dwarf being in such a place. It was owing to the malicious enchantment of a king stronger than himself that he had been turned into the golden mug, and, when the mug was melted, Gluck poured out the metal, and, thus freed the King of the Golden River from the power of his enemy.
How did the King show his gratitude? He told Gluck how the river could be turned into gold.
What must Gluck do in order to gain this end? He must climb to the top of the mountain and cast three drops of holy water into the stream at its source.
CHAPTER III
What are the main facts in this chapter?
1. The brothers returned and beat Gluck because the mug was a total loss.
2. Schwartz and Hans fought.
3. Schwartz was arrested.
4. Hans stole a cupful of holy water.
5. Hans taunted Schwartz.
6. Hans attempted to change the river to gold. (1) The dog; (2) the fair child; (3) the old man.
7. Hans was changed into the Black Stone.
What characteristics of the older brothers are shown in this chapter? They were drunken, brutal, quarrelsome, dishonest, malicious, and selfish.
Why are the dog, the child, and the old man introduced into the story? To show how indifferent Hans was to the suffering of animals, children, and aged people. The sight of these helpless creatures should have aroused his pity.
Were there any indications in the story that Hans would be unsuccessful? Yes, there was "a strange shadow"; the air "seemed to throw his blood into a fever"; "a dark gray cloud came over the sun"; "long, snake-like shadows"; "leaden weight of the dead air"; "flash of blue lightning"; "tongues of fire"; "flashes of bloody light".
Why was Hans unsuccessful? He had led a bad life, had been dishonest, and had been selfish to the dog, the child, and the aged man.
Show that it was an appropriate punishment that Hans should be turned into a Black Stone. His heart was as hard as stone, and his deeds were black.
CHAPTER IV
What is the main theme of this chapter? Schwartz's attempt to turn the river into gold.
What are the chief incidents recorded?
1. Gluck paid Schwartz's fine.
2. Schwartz refused water to the child, the old man, and to the spirit of Hans.
3. He was also changed to a Black Stone.
What were the indications that Schwartz would be unsuccessful? There was a "black cloud rising out of the West"; "a mist of the colour of blood"; "waves of the angry sea"; "bursts of spiry lightning"; "the sky was like ... a lake of blood"; "its waves were black, like thunderclouds"; "their foam was like fire"; "the lightning glared into his eyes".
CHAPTER V
What is the theme in the last chapter? Gluck's attempt to turn the river into gold.
Give the main incidents.
1. The priest gave him holy water.
2. He gave water to the aged man and the child.
3. He gave his last drop of water to the dying dog.
4. The dog was transformed into the King of the Golden River.
5. He gave Gluck three drops of dew.
6. Gluck cast the water into the river.
7. Treasure Valley again became a fertile garden, and Gluck became very rich.
What were the indications that Gluck would be successful? After giving the old man some water, the "path became easier"; "grasshoppers began singing"; there was "bright green moss"; "pale pink starry flowers"; "soft belled gentians"; "pure white transparent lilies"; "its waves were as clear as crystal".
What strong contrast is brought out in this story? There is a contrast between this chapter and the two preceding ones. Gluck's conduct is so different from that of Schwartz and Hans; and the aspect of nature, as it appears to him, is very different from the scenes viewed by his brothers.
Describe Treasure Valley after it was changed. The "fresh grass sprang beside the new streams"; "creeping plants grew"; "young flowers opened"; "thickets of myrtle and tendrils of vine cast lengthening shadows"; "his barns became full of corn and his house of treasure".
Why did Gluck deserve so much kindness? He had been hospitable to South-West Wind, Esq.; had suffered hunger and punishment on his account; had been industrious; had freed the King of the Golden River from his enchantment; had obeyed his instructions; had felt sorry for Hans; had paid Schwartz's fine; and had shown mercy to animals and helpless people.
Was there anything said about the two older brothers? Yes, there are two black stones, which people still call "The Black Brothers", at the top of the cataract. This story tells how these stones came to be there.
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
(Fourth Reader, page 39)
The pupils have read Scrooge's Christmas, in the Fourth Reader. They have also read the synopsis of A Christmas Carol at the beginning of the lesson. If they have read the first four staves of the carol in a general way, they will be in a better position to study intensively the last stave, or chapter, which is the lesson in the Reader. They will understand the causes that have changed this "covetous old sinner" to the man "who knew how to keep Christmas Day well". This lesson should be taken up near Christmas. The pupils will discuss Stave I, after having read it at home.
Stave I
What is the title of this work? A Christmas Carol.
Why is it called a carol? In England, it is the custom for bands of singers, called "waits", to go from house to house on Christmas Eve. The author calls this ghost story of Christmas a carol in prose, for it pictures the joys and sorrows of this season.
What does a stave mean? It keeps up the idea of a carol. Each chapter is called a stave, or stanza of the carol.
What is the title of the first stave? "Marley's Ghost."
Who was Marley? He had been Scrooge's partner, but was now dead. He had been as miserly as Scrooge himself.
Where is the scene laid? In London.
When? On Christmas Eve.
Describe Scrooge. "Oh but he was a tight-fisted hand ... one degree at Christmas". (See Stave I of A Christmas Carol.)
Notice the wonderful accumulation of strong adjectives and phrases in this description. Why does the author use so many? He wishes to emphasize the cold miserliness of this man.
What is the first incident? Scrooge's treatment of his nephew, who has invited him to dinner on Christmas Day.
What does this incident show? His churlishness, and his contempt for those who spend money freely.
What is the next incident? His refusal to subscribe to any charities in the city.
What comes next? The account of his treatment of Bob Cratchit.
What does this show? His meanness and tyranny.
When he returns from his supper, what does he encounter? Marley's Ghost.
What does the ghost tell him? How it must wander through the world without rest, in atonement for Marley's cruelties and his neglect of other people. It laments his misspent life.
What does it promise to do to Scrooge? It promises to send him "Three Spirits".
What good description is found in Stave I? Besides the character sketch of Scrooge, there is a picture of Christmas Eve in the London streets, in the paragraph beginning "Meanwhile the fog and darkness thickened".
Stave II
What is described in this chapter? The visit of the first spirit.
What was it? The "Ghost of Christmas Past".
Read me a description of it. "It was a strange figure ... like a child ... which it held under its arm".
What does the spirit do? It forces Scrooge to accompany it and shows him former Christmas scenes in his life.
What are these scenes? Scrooge as a solitary boy at school; his boyhood stories, Ali Baba and Robinson Crusoe; his sister; Fezziwig's ball; Scrooge's sweetheart; scenes in her married life.
What is the mood of these different scenes? There is humour, and a great deal of fun, as well as some pathos. It is all told in a lively style.
What are the best descriptions? Fezziwig's ball, and the remembrance of the scenes in Ali Baba.
Stave III
What is told in this chapter? The visit of the second spirit.
Who was it? The "Spirit of Christmas Present".
What does it show Scrooge? Scenes of Christmas shopping; Christmas out-of-doors; the Grocers; Bob Cratchit's family, the goose, their dinner, the puddings; the miner's home; the lighthouse keepers; the sailors; Scrooge's nephew at home—blindman's bluff, forfeits, Yes and No; vision of "Ignorance" and "Want".
What do all these scenes go to show? How different kinds of people keep Christmas; how kind and merry most people are at this season of the year: and how some have to struggle in order to get this one day's pleasure.
Select some examples of humour. Peter's conceit, some of the descriptions of the grocery stores, the anticipations lest harm befall the goose and the pudding.
Select any examples of pathos. The references to Tiny Tim.
Select and read the best descriptions. The grocery stores, the fruit stores, the goose, the pudding.
Stave IV
What is told in this chapter? The visit of the third spirit.
What was it? The "Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come".
What does it show Scrooge? A vision of his death—how he is plundered by laundress, charwoman, and undertaker; the phantom of Death; Scrooge's creditors; the grave.
Had these scenes actually taken place? No, but they will be realized if Scrooge does not change his manner of thinking and living.
What is the effect of these three visions? Scrooge promises the "Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come" "I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all the year".
Why are the scenes in this chapter not so pleasant as those that the two former spirits had shown him? The scenes that the first spirit had brought before him were his joys at the Christmas season before he had hardened his heart; those that the second spirit had shown were scenes in the lives of people who do something for others and enjoy themselves in the true Christmas spirit; those that the last spirit had shown were the sordid scenes which would be sure to come if he did not change his attitude toward life. The last scenes shown him by the third spirit furnish a strong contrast to the others.
Stave V
What does this chapter relate? How Scrooge actually kept Christmas Day.
What were the other chapters about? The first and the last were the only chapters where he was awake. Chapters Two, Three, and Four are visions or dreams. Notice how the phantom changed into the bed-post.
This chapter should be studied closely. Who wrote this story? Charles Dickens, an English novelist.
Do you know any other good stories by the same author? David Copperfield, The Pickwick Papers, Nicholas Nickleby.
Yes, we have had extracts in the Readers from these books.
What lessons are they? The Pickwick Club on the Ice, in the Third Book; David Copperfield's First Journey Alone, and The Indignation of Nicholas Nickleby in the Fourth Book.
Some day you must read these stories. David Copperfield tells us a great deal about Dickens' early days. The Pickwick Papers is full of humour in scenes such as that depicted in The Pickwick Club on the Ice, and has some fine characters in it, and Nicholas Nickleby gives a vivid picture of the brutality existing in some schools in England at the time the book was written.
THE LADY OF THE LAKE
(Fourth Reader, page 270)
The pupils will have read the account of the stirring combat between Fitz-James and Roderick Dhu. They will be curious to know the circumstances that led up to this combat and also the conclusion of the story.
The aim of the teacher is to lead the pupils to appreciate the construction of the story, the fine character sketches, and the descriptions of natural scenery, as well as to give them an impression of Highland life. The pupils will take delight in the rapid movement of the verse and in the deeds of valour.
Some passages should be dwelt upon at greater length by the teacher, and others more lightly touched upon, so that the connections of the various parts will be understood. A close and tedious consideration of all the lines would not show a good critical taste, as some passages are very fine, while others have only ordinary merit.
The teacher should disclose the identity of Fitz-James as James V of Scotland and should explain the cause of the exile of the Douglas Family. He should also sketch the life of rebellion and consequent outlawry led by some of the Highland clans before they were reduced to submission.
CANTO I
The teacher should study with the pupils the Invocation of the three opening stanzas and ask them to read the first canto. He should next discuss it briefly, as suggested in the following outline:
What are the main divisions of the first canto?
1. The chase
2. Description of the Trossachs
3. Description of Ellen Douglas
4. Description of Fitz-James.
Why is the story of the chase introduced? It brings Fitz-James alone into the enemy's country, where he meets Ellen Douglas, and prepares the way for the adventures that follow.
What is the story of the chase? The hundred huntsmen and the horses and the dogs become wearied in the long pursuit after the stag. One huntsman alone is left to enter the deep ravine where the stag escapes.
This description of the Trossachs made the spot famous, and ever since it has been a favourite resort of tourists.
CANTO II
The Island
What are the divisions of this canto?
1. The departure of the huntsmen
2. Description of the minstrel
3. The story of Roderick's love
4. Return of the Clan-Alpine
5. Malcolm Graeme
6. The quarrel.
What is the value of this canto? It explains many facts that we did not understand. Among others, it shows us the relation of the Douglases to the King and to Roderick Dhu. It tells of the love of Malcolm Graeme for Ellen and of Roderick's hopeless love for her. It shows us Roderick's noble traits of character and the fearful cruelties of which he is capable. He cannot possibly win Ellen's love.
CANTO III
The Gathering
What are the main divisions of this canto?
1. Roderick's determination to renew hostilities
2. Brian the Hermit
3. The ceremony
4. The message of the Fiery Cross
5. Roderick's devotion to Ellen
6. The gathering.
What are the best passages in this canto?
1. Description of Loch Katrine
2. The coronach
3. Hymn to the Virgin.
Why are funeral and wedding scenes introduced? These serve to show how the message of the Fiery Cross was looked upon as more important than even death or marriage.
What insight into the life of the clansmen is furnished in this canto?
1. The superstition of the Highlanders. This is shown in Brian's faith and in the weird ceremonies in connection with the Fiery Cross.
2. The method of mustering the clans by means of the message of the Fiery Cross.
3. Their funerals and weddings.
Notice also the vigour of the stanzas that describe the flight of Malise.
CANTO IV
The Prophecy
Give the main themes in this canto.
1. Return of Malise
2. Norman's guard
3. The augury and the prophecy
4. Return of Fitz-James to Ellen Douglas
5. The ring
6. Blanche of Devan
7. Death of Murdoch
8. Fitz-James meets Roderick Dhu.
What are the best stanzas? The ballad of "Alice Brand".
Why is this ballad introduced? It shows the character of Scottish minstrelsy, the belief in the world of fairies, and the lesson of hope that at the darkest moment the hour of happiness may be near. It furnishes another example of Allanbane's prophetic insight.
The introduction: "The rose is fairest when it is budding new." Why is this stanza appropriate? It shows the tenderness of Norman's love, as contrasted with the fierce warfare in which he is engaged.
Why is Blanche of Devan introduced? To furnish an example of Roderick's cruelty, so that Fitz-James should feel justified in punishing him. Blanche of Devan also warns Fitz-James of Murdoch's treachery. This stanza explains the allusions in the lesson in the Fourth Book, for example: "a braid of your fair lady's hair", and "There lies red Murdoch stark and stiff".
What characteristics of Roderick are shown in the canto?
1. His care for the defenceless in his clan
2. His cruelty to his enemies
3. His hospitality
4. His superstition.
What was the prophecy?
Who spills the foremost foeman's life
That party conquers in the strife.
What is the value of the prophecy in the poem? It furnishes a reason for the eagerness of the clansmen to take the life of the huntsman, as the former would then "conquer in the strife".
CANTO V
The Combat
Give the main events in this canto.
1. Roderick guides Fitz-James to neutral ground
2. The combat
3. Douglas surrenders
4. The games
5. The popularity of Douglas.
What is the most striking part of this canto? The story of the combat.
Why? It is a fine example of Scottish bravery and chivalry.
What Scottish characteristics are found in this canto?
1. The character of Scottish games in the city
2. The fickleness of the mob
3. The chivalrous conduct of the combatants.
CANTO VI
The Guard-room
What are the main themes in this canto?
1. The rough soldiers
2. Ellen presents the ring
3. The battle of Beal' an Duine
4. Death of Roderick
5. Ellen's request to James
6. Happiness of the Douglases and of Malcolm Graeme
7. Farewell to the Harp.
Why are the rough soldiers introduced? This passage furnishes a good description of the character of the soldiers, and shows the power of Ellen's quiet dignity and modesty.
What is the value of the battle of Beal' an Duine? It affords an opportunity to the valiant Roderick to imagine himself in battle, so that when death comes he does not realize that it finds him a prisoner and his clan vanquished.
How does the poem end? Ellen, her father, and Malcolm Graeme are united and happy, and Fitz-James reveals his identity and shows his magnanimity.
What should be read in connection with the last three stanzas? The first three stanzas of the poem. They are an Invocation to Scottish minstrelsy. We now have the Farewell.
Which cantos do you consider are the best? The first and the fifth.
Why? The first contains such wonderful word-pictures and the fifth seems to be the crisis of the story. The interest is not sustained in the sixth canto, as one knows matters are sure to be adjusted.
