Week 17 June 7-June11, 2010

Day 1

06/07/2010

Aim: What does the title "The Catbird Seat" mean?

Do Now:

Describe some of the challeges and obstacles in today's business world based on your personal experiences or T.V. shows or movies you have seen.

Procedure:

1. The title ‘‘The Catbird Seat’’ derives from the speech patterns of Red Barber, the radio announcer for the Brooklyn Dodgers baseball team in the 1940s. Thurber, a devoted baseball fan, was among those who enjoyed the colorful expressions Barber sprinkled throughout his commentary. As Joey Hart, Martin’s assistant explains, sitting ‘‘in the catbird seat’’ means being in an advantageous position.

2. How does the story capture the reader's attention right away?

3. Why does Mr. Martin buy cigarettes since he is a non-smoker?

4. How does the opening scene immediately remind you of today's business world?

HW#55

1. Make a list of expressions Mr. Martin used to describe his very negative feelings toward Ms. Barrows(2nd paragrpah on page 386).

2.What is main character's approach to solving problems? Does he at first confront a dilemma head-on (do-er), or does he adapt himself to the situation at hand (be-er)? Explain.

Day 2

Aim: What are objective, main character, obstacle character, and subjective points of view?

Do Now: If you had to face similar problems as Mr. Martin did, what approach would you use to solve them?

Procedures:

Discuss and answer the following questions:

1. Does the main character need to grow out of something (stop) or grow into something (start)?
2. What is main character's approach to solving problems? Does he at first confront a dilemma head-on (do-er), or does he adapt himself to the situation at hand (be-er)?
3. Determine and describe the actions or decisions that drive the plot forward.
4. Determine and describe how the story has reached its conclusion (story limit). Is it because time has run out (timelock), or because all the options (optionlock) are exhausted?
5. Is the outcome of the story a success or failure?
6. At the end of the story does the main character feel good or bad (judgment)?
8. What is the goal of the story? Describe.
9. What thematic conflict in the objective story is explored?
10. What is the problem in the objective story?
11. Describe what conflict (concern) occurs in the four throughlines.
12. Describe the sequence of events for the four throughlines (signposts).

HW#56 Describe the four points of view : objective, main character, obstacle character, and subjective.Give an example of each point of view.

Aim: How is isolation and invisibility described in "The Catbird Seat" by James Thurber?

Do Now: In what work force do we see most isolation and invisibility? Describe "isolation and invisibility" and how you feel toward the working environment such as this.

Procedure:

How is Mr. Martin described as a victim of Mrs. Barrows' caprice and later vindicted?

HW#57 How is isolation and invisibility described in "The Catbird Seat" by James Thurber? How did Mr. Martin prevail in the end? How does the ending of the story illustrate the title?