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Showing posts with label Sharing readers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sharing readers. Show all posts

Thursday, 18 February 2010

The Two Failures

Title of the short story : The Two Failures
Author : Unknown
Number of pages : 4

This short story is a real one. The plot tells the readers about writer’s (almost) whole life. The story starts when the writers was 5 years old and she had her long-waited sibling.

The characters of this short story were writer’s mother, the writer, Banu (writer’s younger sister). Ma is very affectionate to her daughters and she was very patient. However, sometimes she got angry when her children was naughty and stubborn. Her daughters were very lazy to study. They liked reading but they never opened math or science books.

The story began whe the writer was 5 years old and she had her sibling, named Banu. The writer and her younger sisters grew up together with their mother because their father was on duty in army. Both of them were very naughty and stubborn. They always escaped from studying at home. They never learned math and science. Although they like that, their mother was vey patient and never scolded to them.

As the time went by, the writer almost failed in her exam but her mother did not blame her. Even, her mother helped her study from the basic up to what she should get at school. Then, she could enter good college. When she was in the second year, her mother called and said that Banu had failed. Her mother did the same things as she did when writer almost failed. In the end, Banu became the best student who entered the college and the writer got good job.

Although the writer called Banu and herself as failures, but their mother thought that they were the best and it was just a matter of time to be better.

According to me, this story is very touching for the mother is very patient and I like the way she takes care of her children. Also, the children are very good and great when they know how to recover their mistakes in the past.

Ratih

Questions and Answers

Arfi
  • Questions

    1. Do you think that the way of writer’s mother in raising and taking care of the children is good enough?
    2. How do the daughters think about their mother?

  • Answers

    1. I think that her way was good because although she was a single parent, she could make her daughters succeed in the end. She never blamed her daughters for if she did, she would worsen her daughters’ habit. Instead of scolding to them, the mother prefer to take care of them patiently.
    2. I guess that the daughters are very proud of her mother because their mother could hepl them to recover their failures, aven they could achieve a great result.

Yudha
  • Questions

    1. Was the writer’s father was a good one?
    2. Why do you think taht the mother was very patient?

  • Answers

    1. Because it was not stated about the father, but from the story I could aassume that he was not a really good father. I concluded it for during the daughters grew up, he did not take part in raising her daughters. Although she was in a dutty, he should still take care of them, even with letters only.
    2. Because she exactly knew how precious her daughters and she knew the best way to raise her daughters well. She realized that she coud not be very strict to them because if she was very strict. Their daughter would be more stubborn in order to defense.

Rahmati
  • Questions

    1. Why were at first the daughters very naughty?
    2. Do you think that a very patient mother is good?

  • Answers

    1. They were very naughty when they were atill in very young age. Their mother was very patient so they did not realize that what they did was wrong. After they grew up, little by little they understood that laziness was not good for them.
    2. Very patient mother is good but she still needs know how to manage the patience. It is important to do so because sometimes children do not really understand if the mother stays calm. However, for me, patient way to take care of chidren is the best. When chidren do wring behaviour, it will be more impresive if the mother does not scold to them for the children can feel the guiltiness clearly.


The Taming of the Shrew

Title of the short story : The Taming of the Shrew
Author : Shakespeare
Number of pages : 17

Characters :
Baptista (a rich gentleman of Padua)
Katharine (the shrew) & Bianca : daughter of Baptista
Hortensio & Lucentio (Bianca’s husband) : in love with Bianca
Petrichio
Vicentio (father of Lucentio)

Setting : Padua, a beautiful city of Italy
Time : long time ago

Useful Vocabulary

  • Scold : to speak angrily to somebody, esp a child because they have done something wrong.

  • Virtuous : claiming to have or show better behaviour or higher moral principles than others.

  • Rust : a reddish – brown substance that forms on iron or steel by the action of water and air.

  • Resist : to use force in order to prevent something happening or being successful.



The Facts
This story is about a girl who always scold to all. Because of her attitude there was no man who wanted to marry her. But she had to marry as soon as possible because if she had not married, her younger sister could not married with Lucenio. So, Kat’s father asked Petrucio to marry her. Eventhough Kat had a very bad temper, Petruchio was very patient to give her some lessons. Finally, Kat was not a shrew anymore. Petruchio had tamed her and made her very wise, gently, kind and dutiful wife and Petruchio lived proudly and happily.

The Impressions
This is a such good story which has a background culture seems as Indonesian culture. The younger sister/ brother cannot marry when she/he still ahs an elder sister who is still single.

The second point of this story is that by a patience and wisdom, husband can win his wife become a dutiful wife, loving, kind, and gently.

Ika

Questions and Answers
  • Questions

    1. Why did Petruchio accept Katharine as his wife?
    2. Is Petruchio a beggar?
    3. Is Lucentio regret to marry with Bianca?
    4. What is the most impression of this story?
    5. Why did Lucentio say that Bianca was the sweetest girl?

  • Answers

      • Because he wanted to tame her shrew and he was sure he could do it well.
      • He wanted to prove that Kat could change her bad temper.
    1. No, he isn’t. He only pretend to be a beggar by wearing a beggar’s dress.
    2. Yes, he is. Because he finally knew that Bianca is the spoiled girl.
    3. That the elder sister has to marry before the younger sister.
    4. Because as he knew, Bianca was the sweet and calm girl from the outside. She was different from her elder sister who had a bad temper.


The Difference A Teacher Can Make

Title of the short story : The Difference A Teacher Can Make
Author : Jaye Lewis
Number of pages : 5

The Fact
This story tells about Steve, a twelve year-old boy with alcoholic parents who felt in love with his teacher. He had been falled since first grade, as he was passed on from grade to grade. He was unnoticed until one day when an amazing thing happened.

Once in the middle of the first semester, all of seventh grader were tested for basic skills. It’s not surprising that Steve failed in the test, since he never studied, did homework, and even he never listened to the teacher’s explanation. Indeed, he failed in all tests including in Ms. Whites class. Ms. Whites, the young teacher sdored by Steve, attempted to make Steve study. Everyday, she encouraged him to study. “Just try it!” He was unmoved. “You’re smart enough!” nothing happened. “Give yourself a chance!” nothing. “Steve! Please! I care about you!” Wow! Suddenly Steve got it. He was vey happy knowing that there was someone cared about him, someone special. Quickly, he went home, packed his camping gear and school book, then he went into the woods to escape from the alcoholic smell in his house.

The next day, Ms. White immediately gave a quiz. In this time, he was the first who handed in the paper. The day were the first time Steve succeed in doing a test. Later, he became more motivated. He graduated from college Magna Cum Laude. Now, he is in a good position in his naval career.

Personal Response
What a great inspiring story!

It inspires people who are failed not to be desperate. It shows us that we can be happy only if we give ourselves chance to feel happiness. It is merely a matter of choice, whether we fill our life with courage, desire, and dream, or dump our time with desperation. It also remind us not to under esimate person. Wow! There are so many lessons we can get just from one short story.

Rahmati

Questons and Answers

Alfi
  • Questions

    1. Why did Steve become lazy and never obey what people said to him?
    2. What are the characteristics of Ms. White?

  • Answers

    1. Because at first, he had no motivation, he did not get enough care and guidance from his parents, and maybe he wanted to show rebellion to his responsible parents.
    2. Ms. White is kind, patient, and bad in giving up, that she tried to encourage Steve to be better.

Yudha
  • Questions

    1. Was the teacher very beautiful?
    2. Do you think it’s fine to have such kind of motivation?

  • Answers

    1. Based on the author said about her, I think she was quite beautiful. She was red headed young woman who has bright skin. For me as Indonesian, that’s a nice physical appearance.
    2. No. This story was ended in a good way just because Ms. White was a good person. But it’ll be different if the woman he loved is a bad person. So, it’s not good to have such kind of motivation.

Ratih
  • Questions

    1. How does the story impress you?
    2. Do you agree with the way Ms. White take care of the student, especially Steve?

  • Answers

    1. It reminds me not to underestimate person and encourage me to be a good teacher in the future.
    2. Yes. Ms. Whites did the right thing. She did what a teacher need to do in such kind of situation. Encouraging students to study is much better than scolding them because of their laziness.


Fairy Gold

Title of the short story : Fairy Gold
Author : W.W Jacobs
Number of pages : 8

The Fact
The story took place at Mr. Augustus Teak’s house. The characters were Mr. Augustus Teak, Mrs. Teak, Mr. Chase, and Bert Adams. Mr. Teak distrusted his wife. Mrs. Treak was not honest to his husband. Mr. Chase was Mr. Teak’s fellow, he tried to help his fellow. Bert Adams was Mrs. Teak’s sister’s husband.

The story was begun when Mr.Augustus Teak asked Mr. Chase to live at his house as a lodger. Actually he asked Mr.Chase to be a lodger so he could help him finding his wife’s saving Mr. Teak suspected his wife hid a sum of money which she would use for herself. Mr. Chase accepted the offer. Mrs teak hardly leaved home, so Mr. Chase gave suggestion to Mr. Teak to take her to the zoo, so he could find the saving’s place. She did not want to go to the zoo because she did not have a good hat. So Mr. Teak bought her an expensive hat. When they went to the zoo, rain come. Mrs. Teak decided to go home, but Mr. Teak insisted that the rain would be over in a minute. Nut the rain was heavy and long, so they went home. At home, Mrs. Teak found Mr. Chase in his room. Mr. Chase said that he found a bird in her chimney and he freed it later. Mr. Chase told Mr. Teak that the saving was not in the chimney. A month late, when Mr. Teak had just come home, he heard her wife screaming. She told him that the money in her saving was disappear. She wanted to call police, but he did not allow her. Then, when Mr. Chase come home, Mr. Teak asked him the money. Mr. Chase said that he did not take the saving. Mr. Teak insisted him, but he still said that. So, they had fight. Then Mr. Chase leaved the house. A month later, Mr. Teak came to Mr. Chase and told him that Bert Adams, Mrs. Teak’s sister’s husband took the money. His wife had took it bck and she kept it in bank. So, Mr. Teak would never be able to take the money again.

Personal Reponse
I liked the last part, when Mr. Teak came to Mr. Chase and finally they made up. It showed me how friendship worked. Although friends had a terrible fight, they finally made up. That’s the beauty of friendship. From this story I learnt to be an honest person, to trust others and to be a good friend.

Luqman

Questions and Answers

Diah
  • Questions

    1. How could Bert Adams steal the saving?
    2. Why did Mr. Teak want to take the saving?

  • Answers

    1. I thought Mrs. Teak told her sister in law about her saving and the sister told his husban, Bert Adams.
    2. Because he does not believe in Mrs. Teak

Wisnu
  • Questions

    1. Did you think Mr. Teak was greedy and the marriage was not in good condition?
    2. Why was Mr. Chase accepted as Mr. Teak’s house?

  • Answers

    1. I thought Mr. Teak was greedy, but he didn’t believe in her wife. The marriage was in good condition because thare was no big conflict.
    2. Because he was Mr. Teak’s best friend and Mr. Teak could convince Mrs. Teak that she could trust her.

Irul
  • Questions

    1. Did she come from rich family before they got married?
    2. Where was the saving?

  • Answers

    1. It was not stated in the story but I thought it was possible because she liked beautiful things, such as beautiful and expensive hat.
    2. The saving was in a jar, and the jar was in the kitchen.


A Box Full of Kisses

Title of the short story : A Box Full of Kisses
Author : -
Number of pages : 1

The story was taken place somewhere in America and happened in Christmas Eve. The character in the story are a young lovely little girl and her beloved father.

The story was started when the young girl spent the whole of wrapping paper for wrapped a box which would be placedd under a Christmas tree. His father was very mad because of it for their financial condition was bad. In the following day, the Christmas Day, her father’s anger was flared again after knowing the box which was given to him was empty. But, the little girl explained that she blew thousand kisses into boxes, so whenever her father felt alone., he could still receive his daughter kisses. No longer afte, the little girl died because of an accident.

This story is good, I think for it contains a good moral value in it that, perhaps, sometimes we do not regard others’ love until we lose it.

Yudha

Questions and Answers

Rahmati
  • Questions

    1. What were the characteristics of the father?
    2. Do you think that a person who was going to die will do some strange things?

  • Answers

    1. He was hot-tempered father, however he loved his daughter a lot. He was easily get mad because of his financial problem.
    2. Yes, they do. Before my uncle was going to hit a man in the middle of a road. The man whom my uncle was going to hit was acting strange. He walking pass the road back and forth until he was hit.

Ratih
  • Questions

    1. Why do you think the spent the wrapped paper?
    2. Do you think that the father regretted what he had done?

  • Answers

    1. Because the girl wanted to give a good gift and she wrapped it with lots of wrapping paper.
    2. Yes, he did. Because after her daughter died, he always carry the box whenever he went and when he felt lonely or he was going to bed, he took some invisible kiss from the box.

Alfi
  • Questions

    1. What do you think about the relationship between the father and the daughter before that incident?
    2. Do you think that the girl died in the state of feeling gulity of her father?

  • Answers

    1. Maybe their relationship was not quite good before that incident, so the girl wanted to recover their relatonship by giving her father a box with thousand kisses.
    2. No, she did not. Because before she died, her father had hugged her and asked for her forgiveness while crying.


A Clean Well-lighted Place

Title of the short story : A Clean Well-lighted Place
Author : Ernest Hemingway
Number of pages : 4

It was late and everyone had left the cafe except an old man who sat in the shadow the leaves of the tree. The two waiters inside the cafe knew that the old man was a little drunk, and while he was a good client. They knew that if he became too drunk, he would leave the cafe without paying, so they kept watch on him. the two waiters were talking about the bad things of the old man. The young waiter wanted to go home as soon as possible, so he gave a bad service to him. The old waiter felt pity to the old man because he felt the same, lonely. He asked the young water to be more responsible to the old man, but he didn’t. The, the old man left the cafe and gave the tips. The cafe was closed by the young waiter. After the young waiter went home, the old waiter spoke to himself and went to bodegas, a kind of wineshop. He disliked bodega because the place was not so comfort as like cafe.
I like the old waiter because he is more responsible to the old man. He felt the same with the old man, lonely. In the cafe he could forget his lonelyness by drinking brandy. It is better for us, if we have problem we could share to our friends. So, we can solve together, not by drinking brandy.

Gundah

Questions and Answers

Rini
  • Questions

    1. Why didn’t the old man go home at that time?
    2. Why did the old man feel lonely, actually he had a nephew who saved his life?

  • Answers

    1. Because he felt lonely if he just stayed at home so he spent his time for drinking.
    2. Because the old man was a close person. He didn’t share to anyone about his problem.
Septia
  • Questions

    1. In your opinion, what was the old man’s problem?
    2. Why did the old waiter go to Godegas?

  • Answers

    1. I think the old man’s problem was loneliness. He didn’t have his wife anymore because of the death. Also,, he was a close person, so he couldn’t share his loneliness with anyone although he had a nephew who saved his life.
    2. Because the old waiter felt lonely after the young waiter closed the work place. So, he tried to find a place as good as his place to work. But, he was uncomfortable and unenjoyed with that place. So, he went back to the place before.
Bhakti
  • Questions

    1. Which part do you think the most interesting for you?
    2. Why was the old man still alive?

  • Answers

    1. The most interesting part for me s when the old waiter felt pity to the old man because of the same loneliness. I like when someone has a sympathy to another person.
    2. Because his nephew saved him when he wanted to suicide himself.

Emma

Title of the short story : Emma
Author : Jane Austen
Number of pages : 152

Setting
All characters came from the middle-class people who lived in the village of Highbury, which was once on the outskirts of London about eighteen century.

Characters
Emma Woodhouse : beautiful, clever, and rich
Mr. Woodhouse : affectionate and indulgent
Miss Taylor : intelligent, well-informed, useful and gentle
Mr. Weston : pleasant and excellent
Mr. Knightley : take care for Emma
Jane Fairfax : beautiful, clever, and elegant
Philip Elton : good-looking, well-mannered, and ambitious
Harriet Smith : pretty
Augusto Elton : domineering, pretentious
Miss Bates : friendly
Mr. Frank Churchil : careless, jealous
etc....

Action
Emma Woodhouse lived with her widowed father on their estated Harfield after her mother died and her sister married. Miss Taylor, her governess, has recently married with Mr. Weston. Emma had a close friend, Mr. Knightley, who has known her well. He was very critical of Emma’s behaviour. Emma liked matchmaking but she never thought about her marriage herself.

Against Mr. Knighley’s advice, Emma tried to match her new friend, Harriet Smith to Mr. Elton. She also persuaded Harriet to refuse Mr. Martin who was closed with her. In other side, Elton declared his love to Emma and actually Emma rejected him. after that, he went to Bath and soon returned from Bath with another new comer who he introduced her as his wife. At thhis time, Mrs. Weston (miss Taylor)wondered if Mr. Knightley maight have taken fancy to Jane Fairfax, Mrs.Bates’s niece. Emma prompthy decided that she didn’t want Mr. Knightley to marry anyone, but she never explored her feeling. Then, she tried to make herself fall in love with Mr. Frank, Mr. Weston’s son from the previous wife, because everyone said that they were a good match. Frank seemed to everyone to have Emma as his object who he admired.

Meanwhile, Jane reportedly became ill and refused to see Emma. Jane’s behaviour change. Soon after, Emma learnt why Jane had behaved strangely. It was because Jane and Frank have been secretly enganged for almost a year. Frank only pretended to admire Emma because he wanted to cover the relationship with Jane from public. Finally, Frank and Jane’s engangement showed to public.

In the end of the story, Emma realized that she loved Mr. Knightley. When mr. Knightley declared his love to Emma, she joyfully accepted. Shortly, Emma nad Mr. Knightley married and live together with Emma’s father in Harfield.

My impression
It is complicated story because there are many characteristics in this story that make me confused to remember.

My feeling and experience
I ever had experience in matchmaking in which the result was as complicated as in this story.

Dian

Questions and Answers
  • Questions

    1. Why did Emma only match one to another one and and didn’t care with her marriage?
    2. Why did Jane change her behaviour to Emma?
    3. Why did Frank cover his relationship with Jane?
    4. Why did Frank choose Emma to be admired?
    5. What did Emma feel after she knew that Frank only pretended to admire her?

  • Answers

    1. It was because Emma was indifferent having relationship with man. She only wanted to take care her father who was a widower after her mother died when she was child.
    2. It was because Jane and Frank have been secretly engaged for almost a year.
    3. It was because Frank was afraid that his relationship was not permitted by his father and his family.
    4. Because Emma was Jane’s friend so he thought he could still get closed with her.
    5. At first, she was disappointed. Then she realized the reason why Frank did that.

The Thief

Title of the short story : The Thief
Author : Guy de Maupassant
Number of pages : 5

The Fact

It was quite a sad story about a man who was blamed and jailed for something that he never did. It began by the appearance of Dr. Sorbier who told about the story of a man. This man in the story was in love with a beautiful girl from upper-class standing. The girl knew that her parents would never approve of their relationship, so she told the man to keep it secret. Everyday, this couple would meet in the girl house, in secret of course. The man would climb the garden fence, and enter from the servant door then went upstairs to the girl’s room.

One day, the man accidentally broke a vase on the way to the girl’s room. Unfortunately, it was near her parents’ room, and the sound of the broken vase woke the mother. The mother came outside her room and saw the man silhouette. Thinking that it was a bulglar, she screamed. Her scream woke the entire people in the house. The man realized that he could never escape undetected – and he also didn’t want to make the girl be blamed – thinking to sacrifice himself in order to help the girl. He took the nearest object, put in his clothes, and acted like the real thief. He was caught and then jailed until he died. Meanwhile, the girl married and had many children without even once thinking about the man.

Personal Response

Sad story. It tells us never be blinded by love. I think that sacrifices in the name of love is a noble act, but it will not have any meaning if the one we sacrifice for does not care about us.

Questions and Answers

Ratih
  • Questions

    1. If you were the man, how was your feeling?
    2. If you can change the story, what will your ending be?

  • Answers

    1. I will feel proud at first because I’m willing to sacrifice myself for her. But, when she never even once come to see me, I will feel so betrayed by her.
    2. I will make the girl tells her parents the truth, eventhough it will be bad for her, and free the man from the prison.
Rahman
  • Questions

    1. Was the girl actually loved the man because she didn’t fight for the man?
    2. What is the moral value of the story?

  • Answers

    1. Maybe she didn’t really love him, because if she was, she would speak the truth about the man and prevent him to be jailed.
    2. Don’t be blinded by love. Real love isn’t like fairy tale. It isn’t always end with happy ending.
Yudha
  • Questions

    1. If you can change one part of the story, which part will you change?
    2. If you were the girl, what would you do when your lover was jailed?

  • Answers

    1. Actually, if I change one part, this story will not be interesting anymore. But, if I can maybe I’ll change the man’s feeling for the girl, and have him to find another, much better girl.
    2. I’ll do my best to free him, because I know that it wasn’t his fault. He wasn’t a real thief, after all.

The Tales of Beedle The Bard – The Tale of Three Brothers

Title of the short story : The Tales of Beedle The Bard – The Tale of Three Brothers
Author : J.K Rowling
Number of pages : 19


The Setting
1. The story happened during the travelling of the three brothers.
2. It happened in the magician world.

The Characters
There are two main characters in the story. They are the protagonists and the antagonist. The protagonists are the three brothers (the traveler). They are the oldest brother who is a combalive man, the second brother who is an arrogant man, and the third brother who is a humble and wise man. Then the protagonist is Death, a black hooded cunning figure which takes one’s life.

The Summary
There were three brothers who traveled around in the magician world. In the middle of their way, they found a treacherous river. They simply used magic and made a bridge. When they crossed the bridge, Death blocked their way. Death congratulating their magic and gave them anything they want. But, it was Death’s cunning plan. The first brother wanted a greatest wand which could win every duel. Then, Death gave him an Elder Wand. The second brother asked a power to recall others from Death. So, Death gave him a stone that could bring back dead. Yet, the youngest brother did not trust Death. He asked something that could hide him from Death. Unwillingly, Death gave his invisibility cloak.

Having got their gifts, the three brothers separated their ways. The first brother went to a village seeking a wizard whom he had a quarrel. Then, they got into a duel and the first brother became the winner. The night when he had just win the duel, a wizard took his wand and slit his throat. So, Death took the first brother’s life.

Meanwhile, the second brother returned to his home. He used the stone to recall thee girl whom he wanted to marry before. Suddenly, the girl appeared in front of him. Yet, she was silent and cold. She did not really belong to there. Then, the second brother got mad and commit to suicide. So, Death took his life.

Nevertheless, Death could not find the third brother. He had searched the third brother for years. Death could not find the third brother until the third brother had gotten age. When the third brother took off his invisibility cloak and gave it to his son, Death could find him. Finally, they met and the third brother departed this life gladly.

Personal Responses
The Tale of Three Brothers is an interesting story actuaaly. It has a deep moral value if we think about the story. For examples, as a human being we are not alloed to be arrogant or keep quarrelling with others. However, the way the author tells the story was quite boring. The story goes very flat because there is no conflict in the story. If I were the author, I would change the last part of this story in order to give cinflict in this story.

Ahmad

Questions and Answers

Wisnu
  • Questions

    1. What will you ask if Death come to you and offer you one wish?
    2. What message did you get from the story?

  • Answers

    1. I want to have a power which I can use to control the world.
    2. Don’t be greedy and be careful of stranger.
Adna
  • Questions

    1. What is the relationship between Harry Potter’s death with the third brother?
    2. Who was actually the one who still the wand?

  • Answers

    1. He lived in Godric Hallow which the third brother was burried. He might found the cloak there.
    2. He was someone who was in the cafe when the first brother celebrate his victory.
Luqman
  • Questions

    1. Why do you think the two brother can dead easily?
    2. Why do you think the third brother ask the invisibility cloak?

  • Answers

    1. They were careless because of their own desire.
    2. He did not trust Death. He was carefull of what he did. He was so suspicious of Death when Death appeared on the bridge.

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