TASK SHEET: Think and create using flash fiction
Instruction: The story below by Richard Brautigan consists of only 37 words, including the title. Read the story carefully on your own.
The Scarlatti Tilt“It’s very hard to live in a studio apartment in San Jose with a man who’s learning to play the violin.”
That’s what she told the police when she handed them the empty revolver.
Now work in groups and discuss the questions below. If you get stuck, use a dictionary or do some research.
1Based on first impressions, do you think this is a short story? Why or why not?
2Read the story again before responding to the following:
2.1Is there a plot, a sequence of connected events? What has happened? What will happen next? How do you know?
2.2Is there a recognisable setting? Describe it in detail. For example, what is a studio apartment? What impact could the setting have on events?
2.3Are any characters involved? Who are they and what do you know about them and their relationship?
2.4Summarise the story in no more than eight words, or as a “tweet”, using no more than 140 characters.
2.5Look carefully at the title, “The Scarlatti Tilt”. Does the title help you interpret the story? Find out who “Scarlatti” is.
2.6What is the meaning of the story? Is it obvious, or do you have to read between the lines and use your imagination?
2.7Do you think the story is shocking or humorous? Why?
3Write your own flash fiction story in under 50 words. Read your first draft to your group. Invite the group to suggest ways to make the story even shorter without losing meaning.
4Using the title and the two sentences that make up “The Scarlatti Tilt”, flesh out the story with details so that it becomes a one-page short story. Read your completed stories to one another. How different are the stories you produced, and why? Which aspect of the original story did you change the most – characters, plot, or setting?
© Oxford University Press Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd 2013. From Oxford Practical Teaching English Literature: How to teach Grades 8–12. You may modify, print and photocopy this document solely for use in your classes. © “The Scarlatti Tilt” by Richard Brautigan, from Revenge of the lawn by Richard Brautigan, © 1963,1964,1965,1966,1967,1969,1970,1971. Reprinted by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company for US and Philippines rights, and Sarah Lazin Books, on behalf of the estate of Richard Brautigan for the UK and British Commonwealth rights. All rights reserved.