The Human Fly

Warm-Up• Outline the plot for “The Human Fly.” Include:• Exposition• Rising Action• Climax• Falling Action• Resolution

Discussion• What’s ironic about this story?– Irony is the contrast between expectation and reality.• Is it an example of satire? Why or why not?– Satire is a text that criticizes or mocks something in society.• If you were the author, how would you endthe story? Why?

Themes in “The Human Fly”• Fame and Immortality• Greed and Ambition• Fate (destiny)• Human dignity– What is the value of human life? How should we protect it?• Social responsibility– Are humans obligated to help each other out?• Madness– What happens when you lose the ability to think and actrationally?

Characterization• How do you get to know characters?– Their words– Their actions– Their physical appearance and dress*– Their inner thoughts and feelings*– Their personalities*– Their reputations- What do other characters thinkor say about them?

• Direct Characterization- The writer tells thereader about the character directly.• Indirect Characterization- The writer lets usjudge the character based on evidence.

Types of Characters• Protagonist- The main character of a story• Antagonist- The character who opposes theprotagonist• Static- Does not change• Dynamic- Changes by the end of the story• Flat- Has only one or two traits; Has no depth orcomplexity• Round- Has many traits and lots of complexity

Themes: Pre-AP English1. Choose a theme from the wall. Take thepaper to your desk.2. Make a list of examples from the text thatdevelop your theme.3. Draw a picture or symbol that representsyour theme.4. Be prepared to explain your theme to theclass when you finish.

• Irony- The contrast between expectation andreality• Symbolism- The use of an object to representsomething beyond itself

Figurative Language• Definition: Words that describe things in terms ofanother and are not meant to be taken literally• Simile- A comparison between two things using like or as (Ex:Love is like a red rose.)• Metaphor- A comparison between two unlike things (Ex: Loveis a red rose.)• Hyperbole- An extreme exaggeration• Personification- Giving a non-human thing human qualities

Exposition• Hyperbole- “so wasted you worried about hislimbs dropping off” (page 1)• Metaphor- “my mind was doing backflips”(page 3)• Simile- “A fine band of skin as blanched andwaxen as the cap of a mushroom…” (page 4)

Independent Practice• Find an example of simile and metaphor inpages 1-7. Write the quote, page number, andexplain why it’s significant.

Warm-Up• Make a connection between “The Human Fly”and one of the following:– Another movie, television series, or book– Current or historical event– Personal experience• Record the connection in your spiral.