Short Stories

Lesson 5
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ELA

Unit 6

9th Grade

Lesson 5 of 13

Objective


Explain how the author is using the central conflict and characters to develop the theme of identity.

Practice the systems and routines (previous routines, plus habits and expectations of rigorous discussion) of the high school literature classroom.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves by Karen Russell  pp. 229 – 235 — Stage 2

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Target Task


Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the central conflict of the story?

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Sample Response

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Writing Prompt

Explain how the author uses the central conflict to convey her message about identity. Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Key Questions


Pre-Reading Discussion Prompts:

  • The girls are wolves. Agree or disagree? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.
  • How would the girls respond to this question? The nuns? How do you know? Use evidence.
  • How would the author respond? How do you know? Use evidence.
  • By creating this debate, what is the author suggesting about identity? How do you know?

Reading Questions:

  • How is "Stage 2" different from "Stage 1"? What diction conveys this difference?
  • Who is the narrator? From what point of view is the story told?
  • What does the word "disorienting" on p. 229 most likely mean?
  • How does the conflict continue to develop in "Stage 2"?
  • What evidence is there that the girls are humans? Wolves? How are they changing?
  • "The pack hated Jeanette, but we hated Mirabella more." (233) What does this line reveal about the pack and how they are changing?
  • What is the author's message about identity? How is she revealing this message through the girls?

Notes


The girls' identity is complex. They are human beings who have been taught to behave like wolves. But now, the nuns are trying to teach them to act like the human beings that they are. So, which are they? What are we? What we think we are? Or what others think we are? Who truly defines us? If the girls define themselves, they would say they are wolves. But are they? What does this mean for us and our identities? Are we who we say we are? Or are we what others see us as? Big questions are being raised here.

Next

Explain how the author uses the characterization of Claudia, Mirabella, and Jeannette to further develop the conflict.

Lesson 6
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