Rags to Riches to Rags
There are some themes that seem to show up very often in different stories.
Goal:
Goal:
To practice finding common themes in two stories, you'll read "The Fisherman's Wife" and "The Gift of the Little People," and you'll try to identify at least one theme that they share. Listen to the first paragraph of each story. Then print out both stories. As you read each story, follow the steps on the previous page in this lesson. Then, answer the questions at the bottom of this page to make sure you found the common themes.
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Which of these lists contains all the themes in "The Fisherman's Wife"?
- Magic can be tricked, teamwork is better than going it alone, and ask for what you need.
- Greed gets you nowhere, be happy with what you have, and stand up for what you know is right.
- Be happy with what you have, don't tempt fate, and the value of courage
In the story, the wife's greed gets her nowhere in the end—she suffers because she is not satisfied which what she has or what gifts she receives, wanting more. Also, the fisherman suffers because he does not stand up for what is right.
In the story, the wife's greed gets her nowhere in the end—she suffers because she is not satisfied which what she has or what gifts she receives, wanting more. Also, the fisherman suffers because he does not stand up for what is right.
In the story, the wife's greed gets her nowhere in the end—she suffers because she is not satisfied which what she has or what gifts she receives, wanting more. Also, the fisherman suffers because he does not stand up for what is right.
Which theme also appears in "The Gift of the Little People"?
- Stand up for what you know is right.
- Magic can be tricked.
- Greed gets you nowhere in the end.
In both stories, characters suffer because of their greedy decisions.
In both stories, characters suffer because of their greedy decisions.
In both stories, characters suffer because of their greedy decisions.
What is the same about how the two stories show their common theme?
- Both show characters going back for more when they've already been given a lot.
- Both show a character who does what someone else says against his better judgment.
- Both show characters who care about each other equally well.
In both stories, characters receive blessings from a divine or supernatural source, but ask for more and more instead of being happy for what they have received.
In both stories, characters receive blessings from a divine or supernatural source, but ask for more and more instead of being happy for what they have received.
In both stories, characters receive blessings from a divine or supernatural source, but ask for more and more instead of being happy for what they have received.
What is different about how the two stories show their common theme?
- One story has two main characters, and the other story has only one main character.
- One story deals with greed for money, and the other story deals with greed for power.
- One story takes place in the country, and one story takes place in the city.
The two types of greed in the two stories are a little different—the goldsmith is greedy for money while the fisherman's wife is just as greedy for power.
The two types of greed in the two stories are a little different—the goldsmith is greedy for money while the fisherman's wife is just as greedy for power.
The two types of greed in the two stories are a little different—the goldsmith is greedy for money while the fisherman's wife is just as greedy for power.
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly: