Pirandello - War
World Literature Questions: “War” by Luigi Pirandello
Name: ____________________________
1. Identify the CONFLICT in this story. Is it primarily an external Man-vs-Man conflict, or is it primarily an internal Man-vs-Self conflict?
2. What/when is the CLIMAX of this story? How can you tell it is the climax?
CHARACTERIZATION: Your book says: “[Pirandello’s] focus on the social masks that people wear has been a major influence on modern fiction, as well as on modern drama. …Pirandello was fascinated by the contrast between appearance and reality in human behavior. He viewed life as a series of illusions, each concealing a surprising core: comedy in tragedy, sanity in madness, grief in happiness. He saw people as suffering from the necessity of leading insincere public lives, and he watched with compassion as they clung to their delusions. He created literature that he hoped would force people to examine their convictions, acknowledge their inner selves, and lead more authentic lives.”
3. In the short story “War” the author, Luigi Pirandello, does not give any of the characters names. Why not? What effect does that have on the story and the reader?
4. Which of the characters are wearing “social masks” as Pirandello would say (at least at the beginning of the story) ? 5. Choose one of the characters you listed in #4. What is the “mask” he/she is wearing, and what is true about him/her?
6. Of the characters you listed in #4, choose one (same or different than in #5) who is a DYNAMIC CHARACTER. What is the change they undergo? What causes it?
7. Both the woman in mourning and the fat man are described as hiding their faces. Why is this an important detail? – What purpose does it serve in the story?
8. Why does the woman ask the fat man if his son really died?
LITERARY TECHNIQUE: 9. How does Pirandello use the technique of REVERSAL? (‘Reversal’ is in the Glossary of Literary Terms at the back of your World Lit textbook.)
10. What is the
Name: ____________________________
1. Identify the CONFLICT in this story. Is it primarily an external Man-vs-Man conflict, or is it primarily an internal Man-vs-Self conflict?
2. What/when is the CLIMAX of this story? How can you tell it is the climax?
CHARACTERIZATION: Your book says: “[Pirandello’s] focus on the social masks that people wear has been a major influence on modern fiction, as well as on modern drama. …Pirandello was fascinated by the contrast between appearance and reality in human behavior. He viewed life as a series of illusions, each concealing a surprising core: comedy in tragedy, sanity in madness, grief in happiness. He saw people as suffering from the necessity of leading insincere public lives, and he watched with compassion as they clung to their delusions. He created literature that he hoped would force people to examine their convictions, acknowledge their inner selves, and lead more authentic lives.”
3. In the short story “War” the author, Luigi Pirandello, does not give any of the characters names. Why not? What effect does that have on the story and the reader?
4. Which of the characters are wearing “social masks” as Pirandello would say (at least at the beginning of the story) ? 5. Choose one of the characters you listed in #4. What is the “mask” he/she is wearing, and what is true about him/her?
6. Of the characters you listed in #4, choose one (same or different than in #5) who is a DYNAMIC CHARACTER. What is the change they undergo? What causes it?
7. Both the woman in mourning and the fat man are described as hiding their faces. Why is this an important detail? – What purpose does it serve in the story?
8. Why does the woman ask the fat man if his son really died?
LITERARY TECHNIQUE: 9. How does Pirandello use the technique of REVERSAL? (‘Reversal’ is in the Glossary of Literary Terms at the back of your World Lit textbook.)
10. What is the