Name
Date 0-11-2011
Characterization Homework
Directions: Read each excerpt. Then respond to the Close Reading questions in the margin.
METHOD 1: PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
in this fable, three princes compete for the love of a princess named
Meliversa. As you read, look for descriptions of Meliversas appearance.
from The Fabl of the
Three
Princes
Short story by Isaac Asimov
That night there was a great fear, and the three princes were the
gueits of honor
The emporoc seal on a splendid throne at the head of the table,
greesal them. Next to him was the princes Meiveca, and she was
indeed as beautiful as the sun. Her hair was long and the color of con
silk Har eyes were blue and rominded everyone of the sky on a bright
spring day. Her features were perfectly regular and her skin was flasken
But her eyes were empry, and her face was expressionless
METHOD 2: THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS
Mary is supposed to be participating in Ta-Na-E-Ca, a custom of the
Kaw Nation of Native Americans Ta-Na-E-Ka is a test in which young
people must survive five days alone in the woods Mary thinks the
tradition is silly, so she secretly spends the five days in a restaurant
Ta-Na-E-Ka
Short story by Mary Whitebird
I was sorry when the five days were over I'd alsored every minune
wah Ernie He taught me how to make Western omelets and to make
Chile Ernie.
(still one of my favoric dishes). And I told Emic all
shour the legends of the Kaw. I lado's realizal I knew so much about
my people
But Ta-Na-E-Ka was oner, and as I appeached y house, at about
nine-thiny in the evening/1 became nervous all over again What if
Grandfather asked me about the beatics and the grasshoppers? And my
fees were hundly ca. I hadn't kasta pound and my hair was combal
They'll be so happy to see me. I told myself hopefully, at they
won't ask too many questions.
Period 3 4 5 6
1. Underline 3 details from the passage that describe Meliversa's beauty
2. Re-read line 8 What do you learn about this description of Meliversa?
3. Consider Mary's choice to secretly skip To-Na-E-Ka. What do her
actions to you about her character?
4. Look at the boxed descriptions of Mary's thoughts. How does she feel
about what she's done?
What makes you say that?