Imprints 12

Web Links

Short Stories

Choose a cluster:

• Society
• Struggle
• Choices
• Indomitable Spirit
• The Human Condition

SOCIETY
Groom Service (short story by Michael Dorris)

• Dorris Bio
  This publisher's Web site includes a short autobiographical note for Dorris. As a class, read and discuss this article.
• Dorris Interview
  Students can read this interview with Michael Dorris. Note that this page also provides a link to an interview with Tim O'Brien, author of "On the Rainy River."
• Book Review
  Students can read a review of another of Dorris' works.
• Dorris' Native American Author's Project
  Students can visit this site to find out about Dorris, and to link to other articles about Dorris.
• Dorris Obituary
  This obituary for Dorris, who died in 1997, provides some information about his life, work, and controversial death.
• Dorris Elegy
  This article describes fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effect, and explains how Dorris' children were affected by both. Students can read both the obituary listed above, and this elegy, and then discuss the issues and viewpoints each raises.

• Brief Munro Bio
  This Web page from the Writer's Union of Canada includes a brief bio and bibliography. Discuss the information on this site, and what students already know about the author.
  • Students —for an ISU, could research Munro further and develop a more extensive bio and biobliography Web page.
• Munro Interview
  This Web page offers an interview with Munro that was originally printed in the New York Times in November1986. Read students the fourth and fifth paragraphs, about truth and lies, and then discuss these ideas. As well, discuss the ideas in the sixth paragraph, about the isolation of her characters.
  • Ask students to read the entire interview, and then write an essay explaining what the interview reveals about the author. How does this information affect their understanding and appreciation of "The Shining Houses"?
• Review of Moons of Jupiter
  Students can read this review of one Munro book, then search the Internet for other reviews of Munro's books. After reading several reviews, students can discuss the picture that evolves of Munro as a writer.
• Boys and Girls —Story 1
  This Web page offers the complete text of one short story, "Boys and Girls," by Munro.
• The Love of a Good Woma —Story 2
  This Web page offers the complete text of her story "The Love of a Good Woman," a more sophisticated story. Encourage students to read either of these stories and compare it with "The Shining Houses," looking specifically at characters, style, plot.
  • This site links to a review of Munro's short story collection, The Love of a Good Woman . Encourage students to read the review and the story and discuss both.
• Interviews, Articles, and Reviews
  This Web site provides links to various Munro-related articles, reviews, and interviews. Students can work in groups to choose three links to investigate and discuss.
  • Interested students could complete an ISU with a focus on creating a Web site of good Munro (or another Canadian author) links that they have researched and selected. They can use this Web site as a model.
• Essays on Canadian Writing —Munro
  Invite students to read the blurb that describes each essay in this issue dedicated to Munro. Students can then write their own blurb, based on how they feel about the Munro stories they have read.

• Works by Berger
  This Web site provides students with the opportunity to view other paintings by this artist. Encourage their comparisons of the various painting styles showcased here.

• O.Henry
  This Web site provides links to biographical text and some of O. Henry's stories, as well as other resources. Students can investigate O. Henry using these links, and then discuss this author's life and work. What do they think may have influenced O. Henry to write "Transients in Arcadia"?
• The Gift of the Magi
  Students can read O. Henry's most famous short story, "The Gift of the Magi," and then open the link at the bottom of the page, which will bring them to a critical review of the story. Ask them to consider what this reviewer might say of "Transients in Arcadia."
• Carol Shields' Story —O. Henry Winner
  On this Web page students can read a story by Carol Shields that won the O. Henry Award for short stories. Discuss why they think this story won the award. (You may want students to read this story after they have read "Dressing up for the Carnival" in the Anthology.)
  • Discuss this award, and encourage students to find out more about it —they can do so by clicking on the "o henry awards" button at the bottom of the story. This button opens to links of lists of past winners, most frequent winners, et cetera, as well as providing links to other short stories. You may want to print out some of these stories for students to read, however, note that the content of some stories is mature.

STRUGGLE
The Return (short story by Ngugi wa Thiong'o)

• Encyclopedia Entry for Ngugi
  Have students read this encyclopedia entry and discuss how it helps them develop a context for reading and understanding "The Return." Encourage students to read one other article linked to this site to discover more about African literature —note that these articles will be challenging texts for most students.
• Bibliography
  Students can visit this Web page for a brief biography, and to find out about the works of Ngugi. Annotations for each work are included.
• Ngugi on Language
  This site provides some information on Ngugi, as well as offering his opinion on language. Discuss his viewpoints as a class.

• The Isabel Allende Web Site
  This is a well-constructed, well-designed site, put together by the author and includes personal information, photos, a list of works, speeches, and much more. Encourage students to explore all the links from the home page, especially the "Q & A" section under "Curiosities."
• Book Review and Excerpt
  Students can read a book review of Allende's Daughter of Fortune on this site, as well as reading an excerpt from the novel.
  • Interested students can read the complete novel —an interesting if mature tale —and then discuss the novel and its review.
• Allende on Oprah's Site
  This Web site is a part of the Oprah Web site in the Oprah's Books section. It includes much information about Allende and her book Daughter of Fortune —an Oprah's Book Club book —including discussion questions, reader responses, and an "exclusive" essay by Allende.
  Note that this site also links to an online discussion group; you may not want students to access this part of the site, or your school or board may have a policy against chat rooms. Discuss any such Internet policies with students, as well as rules or guidelines that are in place for their protection.

• Remembering Vietnam
  This personal Web page provides students with an article about Vietnam and writers such as Bao Ninh and Tim O'Brien (see "On the Rainy River" in Anthology), who explore the Vietnam War through their writing. Discuss what this author says about realism, and the difference between "happening-truth" and "story-truth." Encourage students to find other works on the Vietnam War, some listed here, to view or read.
• Hanoi Images
  This is a personal Web site that includes images of Hanoi and Web page creator's personal response to the book The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh.

CHOICES
On the Rainy River (story by Tim O'Brien)

• O'Brien's Home Page
  Encourage students to visit O'Brien's Home page, and click on such links as biography or the reviews of his works (scrolling down the screen). Note that this site does include a discussion group about O'Brien's works.
• Article on O'Brien
  Students can read this short article about a reading O'Brien gave to find out more about how the author works. Discuss the career of writer and how students perceive writers.
• O'Brien Speech
  Your students can read or listen to the speech by O'Brien that is linked to this page. Discuss what they learn about the author from this speech.
  • This speech was given in April of 1999 at a conference called "Writing Vietnam," where writers read from and discussed works based on their experiences in the Vietnam War. Encourage students after they read the speech to hit the "Home" button at the bottom of the page, and then select another link from the conference to explore.

• Kate Chopin
  This PBS Web site, created for the filming of a documentary called Kate Chopin: A Re-Awakening (note Chopin's most famous work was The Awakening ) provides a wealth of information on this author. Encourage students to explore the site thoroughly, to increase their understanding of this author's life and work.
• Domestic Goddess — Chopin
  Students can read this Web page for its information on Kate Chopin and how she was, or is, viewed. What impression of Chopin do students receive from this page?
  • They could also click on the "Domestic Goddesses Home" button at the top of this page to read about other women writing at the same time as Chopin.
  • Discuss how using a feminist lit crit lens can change their reading of a story or novel (see the Literary Criticism section in the Imprints Teacher's Guide for information and questions).
• Chopin Story
  This site offers a short story, "The Story of an Hour" by Chopin, for students to read and discuss. Encourage students to compare "The Story of an Hour" with "A Pair of Silk Stockings."
  • By clicking on "back to table of contents" at the end of the story, students can reach the table of contents for a text called Reading About the World Volume 2 , in which Chopin's story appeared. Encourage students to link to and read other stories or texts listed on this site.
• The Awakening
  This Web site offers the full text of Chopin's novel, The Awakening . Together, read the first chapter and discuss what it reveals about the world Chopin was writing in.
  • Students could click on some of the other links this Web site offers, to read Chopin's biography, or view the illustrations in the novel.
• Chopin's Works
  This Web site offers the text for several of Chopin's stories or works. Students will need to scroll down the list of author's names to find Chopin. Encourage students to read and discuss one other work by Chopin.
  • You may want to preview these stories, and choose one for students to read. If necessary, discuss with students the use of language that would no longer be considered politically correct.
  • Students can read other works found on this page or site —The Modern English Collection from the University of Virginia Library. By hitting the "return" button at the top of this page they will be given access to all the categories. They can investigate the categories used to arrange these works —for example, they might investigate works by women writers.

• Shields' Bio and Bibliography
  Students can read the brief information on this site and discuss what it reveals about the author of "Dressing Up for the Carnival."
• Pulitzer Prize
  Students can read about Carol Shields' winning of the Pulitzer Prize for her Stone Diaries in 1995. Read students the first chapter of this work and then discuss its merit.
• Shields' Essay
  This is an essay by Shields about Jane Austen's hero in Mansfield Park . Discuss Shields' viewpoints and what students think of "wimpy heroines."
• Shields Story 1
  On this Web page students can read a story by Carol Shields that won the O. Henry Award for short stories. Discuss how the themes and characters in this story compare to those in "Dressing Up for the Carnival."
• Shields Story 2
  Ask students to read this story from The Atlantic online magazine of January 1999. They can discuss it in small groups.
• Carol Shields Speaks
  Students can read this book talk with Shields for Larry's Party from BookPage 1997. Discuss the idea that both Larry's Party and The Stone Diaries reveal "the mad puzzle of our inner lives." Would students say that her short story also does so?
  • Encourage students to read other stories or works by Shields and discuss what they reveal.

INDOMITABLE SPIRIT
The Chrysanthemums (short story by John Steinbeck)

• Steinbeck: Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech
  Steinbeck won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962. This site provides students with a biography, his acceptance speech, and further links. Encourage students to read the presentation and acceptance speech and discuss their audience and purpose.
  • Students could read his speech and compare it to that of other winners of this award. Other such speeches can be found on this site, though for many of the winners no such speech exists; students will need to investigate the site to find a writer who has made a speech.
  • Students can navigate this Web site to find the educational section, where they can listen to Nobel Laureates speak.
• Virtual Steinbeck Tour
  This in an interesting and well-designed virtual tour of Steinbeck-related places. The Web site includes photos of places connected with Steinbeck, a map, related Web links, as well as information on Steinbeck. Note that this site also includes information on Edward Flanders Rob Ricketts, a peer of Steinbeck's who influenced his writing. Encourage students to take the tour and discuss what it reveals about the author.
  • You might also look at how the text reveals a positive bias toward the author. Ask: is the information on this site objective or subjective?
• National Steinbeck Centre 1 , National Steinbeck Centre 2
  Students can visit either of the above National Steinbeck Centre Web sites, take a virtual tour of the exhibits, as well as linking to a biography and bibliography, and other resources. Invite students to compare each Web site.
• Song Based on Steinbeck Novel
  Students familiar with The Grapes of Wrath (the novel or movie) might enjoy reading this Woody Guthrie song about Tom Joad's adventures. (Note that at the top of this page the "Folksong Data Base" button will eventually lead the user to chat groups. You may want to print out this song for students.)
  • Challenge students to write a folksong based on another Steinbeck character.
• Steinbeck Quiz
  Invite Steinbeck enthusiasts in your class to complete this Steinbeck quiz.
  • From this page, interested students can find other quizzes on various authors or literary subjects.
• Steinbeck Article on 1930's
  Students can read the Steinbeck article on this page. They might check out other Steinbeck works on this Web site, but note that it is a personal site, with unmonitored/unknown links and ad banners. It may be best if you print out appropriate content for students.

THE HUMAN CONDITION
Things That Fly (short story by Douglas Coupland)

• All About Coupland
  This is a very rich site, but does include banner and crawling ads, links to chat groups, and shifting links to sites that may not contain suitable material for students. Bookmark particular pages for students to view and read.
  • Resources on this Web site include a biography, bibliography, reviews, excerpts, stories, interviews (over 50), articles by (over 50) and about Coupland, multimedia projects, an image gallery, and much more.
• Coupland Article
  Invite students to read this article about Generation X by Coupland. Discuss its points as a class. Note the many terrific media issues are raised in this article, and encourage discussion on these issues.
• Coupland Interview
  This Web page provides an e-interview with Coupland produced by Spike magazine. Note that some mature language is used and there are a few references to mature subject matter; you may want to preview the text, printing only parts of it for students to read. This site provides links to other Coupland sites that you might direct students to.
• Coupland Lexicography
  This is an interesting site that provides terms and definitions that Coupland has used in his works. For example:
  · Conspicuous Minimalism: A life-style tactic similar to Status Substitution . The non-ownership of material goods flaunted as a token of moral and intellectual superiority.
  · Conversational Slumming: The self-conscious enjoyment of a given conversation precisely for its lack of intellectual rigor. A major spin-off activity of Recreational Slumming .
  · McJob: A low-pay, low-prestige, low-dignity, low-benefit, no-future job in the service sector. Frequently considered a satisfying career choice by people who have never held one.
  However, note that there is mature language and a few typos on this site. Also, this is just part of a much larger personal Web site, with content that might not be suitable for students. We advise you to read several terms and definitions to the students, then discuss what these coined terms reveal about Coupland.
  If students enjoy discussing these terms, you could encourage them to read other, complete, works by Coupland.

• All About Fast
  This is an excellent site for students to explore, including a bibliography, biography, images, book covers, writings, photos, and more.
  • Note that it is a Web site developed by an individual, not an institution. Discuss with students how when using such sites they need to check the reliability of any information they use by confirming it on other sites.
  • Encourage interested students to explore Fast's involvement in the communist party and how this affected him during the McCarthy years.
• Fast Story
  Encourage students to read this story by Fast and compare it with the one in the anthology.
• Fast Biography
  Students can read this biography of Fast and discuss the writer's career.
  • Encourage students to hit the "Return" button at the bottom of this page, which will take them to a listing of other articles about Fast from 1941 to the year 2000. They can choose one other article about Fast to read. Students should note the year and publisher of the article, and then comment on its message. They might compare articles from two different periodicals on the same subject; for example, the New York Times and the Daily Worker - focussing on the bias each displays.