The Unclouded Dayby E. Annie Proulx

AP English Literature/ Mr. Mendelsohn/ Verdugo Hills Multimeda Magnet High School

DIRECTIONS: Complete the following activities based on the short story, The Unclouded Day. Word-process or write all work on your own paper in blue or black ink only. Identify each section of your work using the headings below.

A) VOCABULARY WORDS/TERMS: Look up the definitions of the words below and write them down. Also, look up the definitions of any words you didn’t understand in the story and add them to your list.

1) grouse6) putrefy11) wastrel 15) contortion 20) carcass 25) clod30) pith

2) briar7) rime12) veneer16) tamarack 21) sodden 26) oblige 31) riven

3) cleave8) parabola13) mettle17) instinctive 22) tendril 27) sultry 32) redolent

4) welt9) inelegant14) sorrel18) portico 23) foremost 28) veldt 33) mica

5) imminent 10) confection19) mammoth 24) catatonic 29) ocher

B) READING: Read the attached story at least twice: once for general ideas and once for specifics. Highlight or underline any ideas, quotes or words you think are important.

C) EXTENDED RESPONSE QUESTIONS: Answer the questions below in complete sentences. Use CDs (quotes) from the story and from your own observations and experiences.

1. What “traditional” qualities does Santee represent? Find two (2) CDs to support your answer.

2. What “modern” qualities does Earl represent? Find two (2) CDs to support your answer.

3. Give two (2) examples of simile in the story.

4. Give two (2) examples of personification in the story.

5. Give an example (CD) of a person vs. person conflict in the story. Briefly explain your choice.

6. Give an example (CD) of a person vs. nature conflict in the story. Briefly explain your choice.

7. Give an example (CD) of a person vs. self-conflict in the story. Briefly explain your choice.

8. Give an example (CD) of irony in the story. Briefly explain your choice.

9. How does Earl rationalize his kill towards the end of the story? Why doesn’t Santee say anything

about it?

10. At the end of the story, Santee laughs to himself and notices it is “going to be a cold, unclouded

day.” What is the relevance of this image to the theme(s) of the story?

11. What commentary does the author seem to be making on they ways in which “modern” and

“traditional” people each relate to the natural world? Does your personal experience back this up? Why

or why not?

Revised 10/2010