The Purification - a Dream
Vocabulary
norm - implacable - to rummage - to tempt - incredulous - omission - pulpit - implacable
Analysis
- What references give you more clues to identify the Old People?
- Comparing the civilization of Waknuk to those of our historic past, in what century would you place the technology of Waknuk? Explain your answer. (For some specific information, see p.24)
- What is John Wender's occupation? (See p.25)
- He greeted me more gravely. Mr. Wender is suspicious of David. Why? What incident would have reassured him about David. Why?
- What evidences does the author give that reveal Joseph Strorm is a man to be feared. Is he "crazy"? Explain your answer.
- It is during the "splinter incident" that the author first begins to satirize David's society in general, and his father in particular. Explain the literary term satire and also explain how the "splinter incident" is used for satire.
SURPRISES
Among the joys of giving and receiving gifts is the satisfaction it brings to all involved, not to mention how it surprises. Surprise means "to come upon suddenly or unexpectedly; to take unawares". This word reached the English language through the Latin word prehendere, which means "to grasp or seize". Below are ten other words that derive from prehendere. See if you can use them in the sentences that follow.
apprehended- apprehensive - comprehend - incomprehensible - reprise - enterprise - reprehensible - comprised - comprehensive - reprisal
1. Mr. Strorm had made a _______________ study of "The Norm" as the "Image of God". (thorough)
2. In _______________ for the Old One's sinful lives, God had sent Tribulation. (retaliation)
3. If David had betrayed Sophie, she would have immediately been _______________. (captured or arrested)
4. The "Commandments and Precepts" _______________ many laws about how to behave. (consisted of; were composed of)
5. For David, many of the Commandments were _______________. (condition of not being understood)
6. For Mr. Strorm, David's blasphemy was extremely _______________. (deserving reprimand)
7. David was very _______________ about what would happen to Sophie if she was ever found out. (fearful, uneasy)
8. David's intelligence and gift made him _______________ things. (understand)
9. This show is a _______________ of an earlier performance. (repeat the performance of)
10. The people of Waknuk were full of _______________, and had reclaimed their fields from fringe lands. (willingness and initiative)
SETTING
The setting of a story is simply the time and place in which its events happen. An author uses the settings of his story to tell something about his characters and their feelings. The author will have to use good descriptive words if the reader is to get a clear picture of the settings.
Your task is to go through Chapters 1-3 and list ten descriptive words the author has used in describing the settings.