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Theme – Identify the subject of the story. What is the author’s attitude toward the subject? Write a theme statement.
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Theme – Identify the subject of the story. What is the author’s attitude toward the subject? Write a theme statement. • The subject of the story is dark and depressing. Another subject of the story is Dickie, and the author is saying that Dickie is too smart. He asked a lot of questions and he failed the exam. A theme statement is: In the short story “Examination Day”, Henry Slesar discusses the dangers of having too much knowledgeand that it can lead to dreary consequences. How would you ‘fix’ or improve this answer? • Highlight areas of improvement and correct using your own ideas.
Character – How does the interaction of characters with other characters and with their setting aid in the presentation of theme? (4 marks) b. The interaction with other characters definitely helps build the theme. It makes it better. There is very little interaction as one can tell with the conversation between Dickie and his parents. They don’t show any emotions or care, they give Dickie very short answers and there is tension between them. For example, “moisture in mother’s eyes” on Dickie’s birthday. The setting also reflects the same emotions as the parents. This helps support the theme. • Take a look at the MARK ALLOTMENT and now reread the question. How would you divide the marks for this question? • How would you ‘fix’ or improve this answer? What is missing from this answer? • Rewrite an answer that is worth 4 marks
Perspective – What tone is created by the narrator and how is this tone established? (4) b. The tone of the story is suspenseful, tense, and cold. The narrator uses short sentences and detail such as “peered gloomily” or “spoiled the mood”. The cold and eerie tone was established through the setting of the examination room “room was cold” or “marbled floors” as well the characters being one-dimensional (flat). The mother and father do not show any emotion towards Dickie, creating a tense and fearful tone. Also, a birthday’s suppose to be a celebration but the parents are more concerned about the exam which makes it suspenseful. • Take a look at the MARK ALLOTMENT and now reread the question. How would you divide the marks for this question? • How would you ‘fix’ or improve this answer? What is missing from this answer? • What mark would you give this answer?
Location – How does the choice of setting influence the theme of the work? The setting is important because it is set in the future and the society seems very formal or modern. It builds the theme of an exam because the society is more concerned about testing standards than other things. The choice of setting is very influential and important. The examination room is cold and empty which complements the theme. • Take a look at the MARK ALLOTMENT and now reread the question. How would you divide the marks for this question? • Now look at the next slide
Location cont’d It is set in a futuristic society. The story starts in the home, a place that is familiar to all readers as a warm place. This helps establish the tone right from the beginning. And the celebration that the characters live in a autocratic society controlled by government. The lack of family and warmth reflect the controlled society that is mentioned in the theme. Second location is the examination room, both locations are very cold. This location especially. The examination room helps confirm the already established tone, is it cold and empty “marbled floors, “room was cold”. Lastly, pathetic fallacy, the rain reflected the emotions of the parents towards the exam. A birthday is usually a celebration instead it is a gloomy, cold, and rainy day. The tone supports the fear of intelligence and how intelligence is viewed as a negative thing which complements the theme • What did you like or dislike about this answer? • What mark would you assign this answer?
Possible Answers to Theme Question Topics: • Dictatorship/government control • Intelligence – control through lowering intelligence • Power or control over society • Fear and control Theme Statement: Slesar illustrates that intelligence poses a threat to a dictorial government and by lowering intelligence or creative though, one can maintain control.
