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We hope you're enjoying Telling Tales. Although some of the stories are quite readable and a few are even funny, others may leave you wondering exactly how to respond. The "Backgrounds and Contexts" link above leads you to some historical and cultural information that can help you to understand the stories. Below are some general questions that you can use to shape your reading experience and a few specific questions for individual stories.

Comprehension: What is the story about?

Do you understand the story? If not, what kinds of additional information would help your comprehension? If you don't find answers to your questions on this web site or the links, email duncanr@meredith.edu/ and we will try to help.

Context: What additional information do I need?

When and where is each story set? Are the place and approximate dates mentioned, directly or indirectly? What do you know about the setting?

Personal Connection: How does the story relate to my life?

Can you find a connection between your life and the events or ideas in the story? You may not have been refused admission to an elite preschool at the age of three, as in "The Rejection," but have you felt pressured to succeed in ways that make you uncomfortable? Certainly your life has been affected by cell phone technology. What are the effects of instant communication upon relationships? What benefits and drawbacks have you observed?

Themes and Ideas: What issues and questions does the story raise?

Fictional stories ask us to imagine characters, worlds, and events that we may not experience ourselves. Their plots entertain us as they challenge us to ask new questions about relationships, values, and culture. A theme is not necessarily a lesson, but rather an idea or question that the story raises. You can find a theme by completing the question "This is a story about..." What kinds of themes can you locate in the featured stories?

Questions for Specific Stories

“Sugar Baby”

• How would you describe the tone of the story? Why do you think the author/narrator chooses this tone?
• Can you think of a time when you or a friend has suffered from deprivation? How would you characterize the experience?
• Cletus seems to have recovered from his lack of sugar. Why does his friend—the narrator of the story—still feel the pain at the memories?

“Death Beyond Constant Love”

• What parts of this story seem realistic? Which parts are difficult to believe?
• How does the senator's impending death affect his thoughts and actions?

“Cell Phone”

• How is fear used in this story?
• What concerns does Constanza have about sharing a personal cell phone number?
• In what ways does the relationship of this couple change over the course of the story?
• How has communication by cell phone or Instant Messenger affected your relationships with others? How has it changed you as a person?

“The Age of Lead”

• Why do you think this author connects the explorers’ deaths with those of her friends in the city?
• At one point the narrator observes that Jane and Vincent "wanted a life without consequences." Does either one of them achieve such a life?
• This story is a subtle narrative of a man who dies of a disease like AIDS. What questions does it raise about the disease?
• Do you think the story presents Vincent with sympathy and understanding? Explain your response.

“The Rejection”

• This story borders on fantasy; it clearly pushes at the limits of our belief. What is the effect of this narrative technique?
• What does this story tell us about the way Americans look at education—not just for young children, but for college students as well?
• How can parents provide the best opportunities for their children without applying harmful pressure?
• How important are social connections to an individual's success in American today?

“The Ultimate Safari”

• This story is told by a child in very simple, matter-of-fact language. What is the effect of this storytelling technique? How do you respond as a reader?
• How is emotion handled in the story?
• Although the little girl tells the story, we still catch a glimpse of the grandmother's attitudes and perspectives. How are they different from those of the girl/narrator?
• Does the word "safari" adequately describe the journey taken by the family in the story? Explain.

Which other stories do you find interesting? Email your favorite titles to bumgardner@meredith.edu/