MEC 9/26

Questions to ponder for this week's reading:

"How to Talk to a Hunter"

• How did Houston choose to "narrate" the story, and why did she choose to do it this way? What effect does it have?
• How does Houston develop other characters (besides the narrator)? How does she develop the narrator's character? What do you know about the narrator? About the hunter? How do you know these things?
• What is the conflict in this narrative? The plot?
• Why does the narrator do the things she does?
• What is this short story about?
• How did Houston end the story? What do you think has happened or will happen? What has been resolved?

"Selway"

• What do we know abotu the narrator and Jack? What kind of people are they? What do they like? Dislike?How do we know these things?
• Does the narrator love Jack? Does he love her?
• What do they learn about themselves and each other while going down the Sleway?
• How does the Rier play a part in the story? Is it a "character" as well? If so, is it a major or minor one?
• How did Houston end the story and what effect did it have on you?
• What has been resolved?

"Highwater"

• In the two previous stories, there were primarily two main characters, a man and a woman. In this story, there are two main female characters, and two minor characters. How are the minor characters important to the story?
• What do we know about each of the characters and how does Houston tell us these things?
• What is the conflict in this story?
• Why did Houston choose to tell the story of this conflict through the story of the two female characters? Why not a male and female?
• What is or is not resolved in this story?

These questions are simply starting points for discussion of the stories. As you read, think of your own questions. Use them to make note of Houston's technique for telling a story.