telling stories lesson

Maeve Binchy

*Telling Stories

Coleman’s Classroomwww.clmn.net

Maeve Binchy

1940-2012

“I believe very, very strongly that everybody is the hero/heroine of his/her own life. I try to make my characters kind of ordinary, somebody that anybody could be. Because we've all had loves, perhaps love and loss, people can relate to my characters.”


*Some of Her Books

•The Lilac Bus•Story Teller•This Year It Will Be Different•and many more…


*Idiomatic Phrases

walking on a crack in the road

superstitious idea that cracks in road bring bad luck


*Idiomatic Phrases

left standing at the alter

when a bride or groom doesn’t show up for the wedding


*Idiomatic Phrases

clutch a straw a desperate attempt at something


*Idiomatic Phrases

calling it off

breaking up but usually used for a big event like a wedding


*Idiomatic Phrases

Here Comes the Bride

traditional song played at American weddings


*Bridal March

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6rX3wlDsVI


*Literary Terms: Symbol

something that stands for a bigger idea



*Wedding Symbols

*White Dress*Veil*Flowers*Ring



*Some themes in Telling Stories

•Betrayal•Andrew betrayed Irene•Irene betrayed Andrew

•Doing the Right Thing

•Relationships


*Other Themes?


*Main Idea?

*The “right thing” depends on POV*People are unpredictable*There is a point of no return*Relationships are tough*Other?



*Who?

*Andrew*Irene*Martin*300 Wedding Guests



*When / Where?

•Modern Era•Irene’s House•The Church



*What

•Andrew not ready to marry•Irene says she’ll leave him at alter•She walks down the aisle•They marry



*Why?

*Irene*Won’t love anyone else*Understands obligation

*Andrew*Isn’t Ready*Is Afraid


*Why does Andrew want to call off the wedding?*Does he love Irene?

*Why does she agree to call off the wedding?*Why doesn’t she do it?



*How would you feel if you were Irene when Andrew says he doesn’t want to marry her?*How would you feel if you were Andrew when Irene is walking down the aisle?



*Discussion ?s* Was the marriage, in the end, the

right thing to do?* Was Andrew just suffering from

nerves? * Was Irene right to take the chance

that she did? * Does the fact that they are still

married, years later, prove she was right?



*Discussion ?s*Which character do you feel the most sympathy for: Irene or Andrew?* Was Irene cold and calculating or

just trying to hold onto the man she loves?

* Was Andrew just nervous and tactless or a shallow idiot?



For More Information

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telling stories lesson

Education