Read the excerpt from "The Storyteller.”"You don’t seem to be a success as a storyteller,” said the bachelor suddenly from his corner.The aunt bristled in instant defense at this unexpected attack."It’s a very difficult thing to tell stories that children can both understand and appreciate,” she said stiffly."I don’t agree with you,” said the bachelor."Perhaps you would like to tell them a story,” was the aunt’s retort."Tell us a story,” demanded the bigger of the small girls."Once upon a time,” began the bachelor, "there was a little girl called Bertha, who was extraordinarily good.”The children’s momentarily-aroused interest began at once to flicker; all stories seemed dreadfully alike, no matter who told them.
Read the excerpt from "The Storyteller.""Why weren't there any flowers?”"Because the pigs had eaten them all,” said the bachelor promptly. "The gardeners had told the Prince that you couldn't have pigs and flowers, so he decided to have pigs and no flowers.”There was a murmur of approval at the excellence of the Prince's decision; so many people would have decided the other way.
How does situational irony best contribute to satire?
Which instances of situational irony occur in the passage? Select two options.
Which excerpt from "The Storyteller” best supports the theme that the purpose of stories is to entertain?
What evidence from "The Storyteller” supports the theme that pride goes before a fall? Select two options.“‘It’s a very difficult thing to tell stories that children can both understand and appreciate,’ she said stiffly.”“‘Once upon a time,’ began the bachelor, ‘there was a little girl called Bertha, who was extraordinarily good.’“The children’s momentarily-aroused interest began at once to flicker; all stories seemed dreadfully alike, no matter who told them.”“‘Was she pretty?’ asked the bigger of the small girls.“‘Not as pretty as any of you,’ said the bachelor, ‘but she was horribly good.’“There was a wave of reaction in favour of the story; the word horrible in connection with goodness was a novelty that commended itself. It seemed to introduce a ring of truth that was absent from the aunt’s tales of infant life.”“‘Why weren’t there any flowers?’“‘Because the pigs had eaten them all,’ said the bachelor promptly. ‘The gardeners had told the Prince that you couldn’t have pigs and flowers, so he decided to have pigs and no flowers.’”“‘Unhappy woman!’ he observed to himself as he walked down the platform of Templecombe station; ‘for the next six months or so those children will assail her in public with demands for an improper story!’”
How does the characterization of Cyril contribute to the satire in "The Storyteller."?
Which examples of situational irony does Saki use to create satire? Select two options.
Read the excerpt from "The Storyteller.""She did all that she was told, she was always truthful, she kept her clothes clean, ate milk puddings as though they were jam tarts, learned her lessons perfectly, and was polite in her manners.”"Was she pretty?” asked the bigger of the small girls."Not as pretty as any of you,” said the bachelor, "but she was horribly good.”There was a wave of reaction in favour of the story; the word horrible in connection with goodness was a novelty that commended itself. It seemed to introduce a ring of truth that was absent from the aunt’s tales of infant life.
What evidence in "The Storyteller." best highlights the flaws in the aunt in order to create satire? Select three options.“An aunt belonging to the children occupied one corner seat.”“In a low, confidential voice, interrupted at frequent intervals by loud, petulant questionings from her listeners, she began an unenterprising and deplorably uninteresting story about a little girl who was good.”“‘It’s a very difficult thing to tell stories that children can both understand and appreciate,’ she said stiffly.”“The aunt suppressed a gasp of admiration.”“A most improper story to tell to young children! You have undermined the effect of years of careful teaching.”
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