Chapter 1: Miss Slighcarp arrives a day early and does not make a very good impression on Bonnie.
dusk- twilight
pleated hills- folded hills
icicles
wrapped in sacking- srapped in canvas or burlap, or some other heavy fabric
herringbone brick- fish bone pattern with bricks
battlements-
crenelated balconies-
cornice- trim at the roofline
somber- serious, drab
inevitable reply-
obstinate-stubborn
presently-shortly or soon after
porters-
stationmasters-
muskets- old-fashioned gun
fowling pieces- small guns for shooting gamebirds
commotion-disturbance
impetuosity- sudden willfulness
swathed- wrapped
twill- a kind of tightly woven fabric
hoydenish creature
fourth cousin, once removed-
haughtily- extremely proudly, arrogantly, pompously
stammered-
curtsy- a formal gesture involving a bow
flustered- visibly nervous
formality- a formal gesture
deportment- manners, behavior
smirking and dawdling-
blockhead- oaf
commodious set of rooms- large and comfortable rooms (roomy)
acknowledged- recognized
inclination of the head- tilted the head
savage blow- fierce hit
meddle- interfere
hurling- throwing
relished the task- enjoyed the job
an angry red weal- a red scar or mark
wrestle- struggle
merino- a kind of fine wool
indignation- being offended
salutations- greetings
estates- lands and properties
unprovoked- for no obvious reason
assault- attack
"Girls will be girls..."- the expression is usually "Boys will be boys..."
heartfelt- sincere
indulgence-
reckless- careless
apprehend- understand
Chapter 2: Sylvia prepares for her journey from London to Willoughby Chase, says goodbye to Aunt Jane, and makes the acquaintance of Josiah Grimshaw on the train.
carried off by a fever- killed by a serious illness
harum-scarum
come into my money- actually inherit my money (usually at a specified age)
deplorably shabby- extremely run down, worn
injunctions- rules against
hackney carriage- small taxi carriage
felt a pang- felt a twinge
Dr. Johnson's Dictionary- a thick classic that most home libraries would have had
extracting- removing
tiffin-
inexpressible
concealment- hiding
drowsy- sleepy
uneasy slumber- nervous sleep
contradiction of his words-
red, slavering jaws-
huddled-
onslaught- attack
precipitated itself- threw itself or fell
aperture- opening
that's capital- that's a good thing
shift- move (Here it is being used as an old expression. "We should shift.")
reluctant- hesitant
force of his proposal- point of his suggestion
unbounded relief--
recommence
disapproving-
scrutinizing- studying
wince- gasp (or start) with pain
recollection
Chapter Three: Sylvia tells Mr. Grimshaw about her uncle, and when Mr. Grimshaw has an accident, he ends up being taken by Bonnie and Sylvia to Willoughby Chase.
Chapter Four: Sir Willoughby and Lady Green leave for their ship. The girls take a walk in the snow and are assisted by Simon, the boy who lives in a cave and tends geese.
Chapter Five:
how they fared on their journey- how they did on their journey
unaccustomed- unusual, out of the ordinary
bustle- part of a dress, Victorian fashion
drives his geese-
gets on famously- gets along with very well
beguiled the time- made the time pass quickly
cunningly- cleverly
tantalizing glimpse- an interesting view
retorted
once she has reflected
batter down the door- bang down the door
in vain- uselessly, to no avail
assented- agreed
blunderbuss-
that wicked Jezebel-
javelin-
anteroom-
dismissing the servants- firing the servants
leer- rude look or stare
gaudy- showy
suitable occupations- appropriate pasttimes
to make hay while the sun shines- to profit while there is an opportunity
pilfering- stealing
knavish- loutish
harpy- mythological reference to a flying beast, but refers to a very mean woman
as soon as the cat's out of the way- refers to the expression, "When the cat's away, the mice will play."
trifle- a rich, English dessert made of layers of cake and cream
pudding plates- dessert plates (in England)
disheartened- discouraged
mantel
vexatious- annoying
bellows- fans for fires
compressed lips-
to make inquiries about- to ask about
to interfere with- to meddle with, to get involved in someone else's affair
unworldly- inexperienced
ample warning- lots of warning
embarked for the colonies- boarded a ship for America
insolent- rude
gaunt- very thin
bony- very thin
how very provoking- how very annoying
I have a good mind to... - I would really like to...
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Chapters Four-Five
Choose two of the following questions and compose a thoughtful answer. Each answer should be a paragraph in length. (Remember to use an MLA heading, write in ink, double space, and proofread!)
1. In chapter four the two cousins enter Mr. Grimshaw's room and discover him burning papers with his "fireplace full of black ash. He started violently as they entered, slammed shut the lid of a small dispatch box, and flung himself back into bed."
His behavior reminds us of Miss Slighcarp's when her letters are touched. This all seems really odd. What do you think is going on?
2. In chapter four the girls stray a long way from the house quite late in the afternoon. They are rescued by Simon, depicted as a bit of a "vagabond," dressed in animal skins and with a cave for a house. Who is Simon and how does he help the girls in chapter four?
3. At the end of chapter four Miss Slighcarp and Mr. Grimshaw are seen pouring over stacks of papers in the house's library. What do you think is going on? Do you think they have a plan?
4. Chapter five is the longest chapter in the book. It chronicles the events of the first day that the girls are alone with Miss Slighcarp. Miss Slighcarp's behavior is outrageous. For example, she wears Bonnie's mother's best dress, she fires all the servants, she imprisons Bonnie, and she makes Sylvia mend linens. What do you think is Miss Slighcarp's plan?
5. Toward the end of chapter five Miss Slighcarp seems to find the papers she has been searching for, namely a will, the document that details how Sir Willoughby's estate is to be distributed in the event of his death.
"What a good thing Sir Willoughby was careless enough to leave his will at home instead of keeping it with Mr. Gripe. It has saved us a deal of trouble."
In this passage Mr. Grimshaw and Miss Slighcarp are discussing the details of Sir Willoughby's will. What do we learn about the heirs to the Willoughby fortune?
1. In chapter four the two cousins enter Mr. Grimshaw's room and discover him burning papers with his "fireplace full of black ash. He started violently as they entered, slammed shut the lid of a small dispatch box, and flung himself back into bed."
His behavior reminds us of Miss Slighcarp's when her letters are touched. This all seems really odd. What do you think is going on?
2. In chapter four the girls stray a long way from the house quite late in the afternoon. They are rescued by Simon, depicted as a bit of a "vagabond," dressed in animal skins and with a cave for a house. Who is Simon and how does he help the girls in chapter four?
3. At the end of chapter four Miss Slighcarp and Mr. Grimshaw are seen pouring over stacks of papers in the house's library. What do you think is going on? Do you think they have a plan?
4. Chapter five is the longest chapter in the book. It chronicles the events of the first day that the girls are alone with Miss Slighcarp. Miss Slighcarp's behavior is outrageous. For example, she wears Bonnie's mother's best dress, she fires all the servants, she imprisons Bonnie, and she makes Sylvia mend linens. What do you think is Miss Slighcarp's plan?
5. Toward the end of chapter five Miss Slighcarp seems to find the papers she has been searching for, namely a will, the document that details how Sir Willoughby's estate is to be distributed in the event of his death.
"What a good thing Sir Willoughby was careless enough to leave his will at home instead of keeping it with Mr. Gripe. It has saved us a deal of trouble."
In this passage Mr. Grimshaw and Miss Slighcarp are discussing the details of Sir Willoughby's will. What do we learn about the heirs to the Willoughby fortune?
Chapters One-Three
The Wolves of W. C./Assignment One Name:____________ Class__
Answer three of the following questions on a piece or two of binder paper. Don't forget to use an MLA heading, write in ink, double space, and proofread.
1. The first paragraph of the first chapter is a bit like the beginning of a movie. We approach the great house (Willoughby Chase) from the enormous grounds. We first see a crowd of workers. It is twilight and a heavy snow has fallen. Hundreds of men are at work shoveling and clearing the snow. The men huddle in groups "for fear of the wolves, grown savage and reckless with hunger."
Why does this introduction seem suspenseful? What kind of book are you now expecting and why?
2. Early in the first chapter Bonnie says, "I hope the train hasn't been delayed by wolves." Pattern then tries to reassure her that the porters and station masters are ready to deal with the wolves.
It is interesting that this fear of wolves is mentioned twice quite early in the first chapter. At this point in the book do you think the wolves will be frightening? What else might there be to fear?
3. In class we discussed a quote from the first chapter. "Prying wretch! Who gave you permission to meddle with my letters?" Miss Slighcarp cried.
Recall that Miss Slighcarp has just struck Pattern in the face with a blunt object. Why do you think Miss Slighcarp is violently upset at having her letters disturbed?
4. Toward the end of chapter two Sylvia gets drowsy on the train. Sylvia "dreamed, without being really asleep, of arctic seas, of monstrous tunnels through hillsides fringed with icicles. Her traveling companion, who had grown a long tail and a pair of horns, offered her cakes the size of grand pianos and colored scarlet, blue, and green; when she bit into them she found they were made of snow."
Do you think Sylvia's fears are irrational? Why is she afraid of the stranger and his offers of sweeties? Do you think that her dream is a warning?
5. At the end of chapter three Bonnie meets Sylvia's train and efficiently takes charge of the injured Mr. Grimshaw. We learn a bit more about Bonnie through this incident. Describe Bonnie's personality. You can compare her to Sylvia, if you want to contrast the two characters.
Answer three of the following questions on a piece or two of binder paper. Don't forget to use an MLA heading, write in ink, double space, and proofread.
1. The first paragraph of the first chapter is a bit like the beginning of a movie. We approach the great house (Willoughby Chase) from the enormous grounds. We first see a crowd of workers. It is twilight and a heavy snow has fallen. Hundreds of men are at work shoveling and clearing the snow. The men huddle in groups "for fear of the wolves, grown savage and reckless with hunger."
Why does this introduction seem suspenseful? What kind of book are you now expecting and why?
2. Early in the first chapter Bonnie says, "I hope the train hasn't been delayed by wolves." Pattern then tries to reassure her that the porters and station masters are ready to deal with the wolves.
It is interesting that this fear of wolves is mentioned twice quite early in the first chapter. At this point in the book do you think the wolves will be frightening? What else might there be to fear?
3. In class we discussed a quote from the first chapter. "Prying wretch! Who gave you permission to meddle with my letters?" Miss Slighcarp cried.
Recall that Miss Slighcarp has just struck Pattern in the face with a blunt object. Why do you think Miss Slighcarp is violently upset at having her letters disturbed?
4. Toward the end of chapter two Sylvia gets drowsy on the train. Sylvia "dreamed, without being really asleep, of arctic seas, of monstrous tunnels through hillsides fringed with icicles. Her traveling companion, who had grown a long tail and a pair of horns, offered her cakes the size of grand pianos and colored scarlet, blue, and green; when she bit into them she found they were made of snow."
Do you think Sylvia's fears are irrational? Why is she afraid of the stranger and his offers of sweeties? Do you think that her dream is a warning?
5. At the end of chapter three Bonnie meets Sylvia's train and efficiently takes charge of the injured Mr. Grimshaw. We learn a bit more about Bonnie through this incident. Describe Bonnie's personality. You can compare her to Sylvia, if you want to contrast the two characters.
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