Essay On Survival And The Wimps
Priscilla and the Wimps by Richard Peck
1. Identify the setting of the story.
Element of Setting
Example from the story…
2. Does the story use first or third person narration? Explain why you think so.
1st Person Narration 3rd Person Narration
Explain:
3. What is the affect of having a narrator who is not a main character? Support your answer in a well-structured paragraph with two clear points and a topic sentence.
4. The story begins with the words: “Listen, there was a time when . . .” . a) What things does this opening
line tell you about the narrator, the outcome, and the formality of the story?
b) What other types of stories do you know that start in a similar manner?
5. a) Explain the main conflict in the story.
b) Give an example from the story that illustrates this conflict.
6. a) Create a character sketch of Monk.
First make a brainstorm of all of the character descriptors that are said in the
Then sort them and put them in the chart below.
Physical Appearance
Feelings/ Emotions/ Choices
How others see the character
How the character sees his or herself
b)How does Monk’s physical appearance suggest that he is a tough guy?
7. Why is everyone afraid of the Kobras?
8. a) “This school was Old Monk’s Garden of Eden. Unfortunately for him, there was a serpent in it.” Who is the ‘serpent’ in the story?
b) What allusion is Richard Peck making in this quote?
8. According to the narrator, what is Priscilla’s most obvious physical characteristic?
9. Why does the narrator call Priscilla and Melvin “The Odd Couple” ?
11. Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration, usually for comic effect. How is the ending of the story an example of hyperbole?
12. Give three other examples of unrealistic/exaggerated details in the story.
13. Explain whether or not the punishment that Monk receives is justified.
Literary Terms
1. a) Define alliteration in your chart. b) Find and copy three examples of alliteration in the story.
2. a) What is an idiom? Define it in your literary device chart. b) Find and copy three examples of idioms in the story.
c) In your own words state the meaning of each example in part b.
3. a) Define simile in your literary device chart. b) Find and copy one example of a simile from the story.
4. a) Define cliché in your literary device chart. b) Find one example of a cliche used by the narrator.
1. Identify the setting of the story.
Element of Setting
Example from the story…
2. Does the story use first or third person narration? Explain why you think so.
1st Person Narration 3rd Person Narration
Explain:
3. What is the affect of having a narrator who is not a main character? Support your answer in a well-structured paragraph with two clear points and a topic sentence.
4. The story begins with the words: “Listen, there was a time when . . .” . a) What things does this opening
line tell you about the narrator, the outcome, and the formality of the story?
b) What other types of stories do you know that start in a similar manner?
5. a) Explain the main conflict in the story.
b) Give an example from the story that illustrates this conflict.
6. a) Create a character sketch of Monk.
First make a brainstorm of all of the character descriptors that are said in the
Then sort them and put them in the chart below.
Physical Appearance
Feelings/ Emotions/ Choices
How others see the character
How the character sees his or herself
b)How does Monk’s physical appearance suggest that he is a tough guy?
7. Why is everyone afraid of the Kobras?
8. a) “This school was Old Monk’s Garden of Eden. Unfortunately for him, there was a serpent in it.” Who is the ‘serpent’ in the story?
b) What allusion is Richard Peck making in this quote?
8. According to the narrator, what is Priscilla’s most obvious physical characteristic?
9. Why does the narrator call Priscilla and Melvin “The Odd Couple” ?
11. Hyperbole is an extreme exaggeration, usually for comic effect. How is the ending of the story an example of hyperbole?
12. Give three other examples of unrealistic/exaggerated details in the story.
13. Explain whether or not the punishment that Monk receives is justified.
Literary Terms
1. a) Define alliteration in your chart. b) Find and copy three examples of alliteration in the story.
2. a) What is an idiom? Define it in your literary device chart. b) Find and copy three examples of idioms in the story.
c) In your own words state the meaning of each example in part b.
3. a) Define simile in your literary device chart. b) Find and copy one example of a simile from the story.
4. a) Define cliché in your literary device chart. b) Find one example of a cliche used by the narrator.