Introduction to Literature Isaac Bashevis Singer

I. VOCABULARY: Match the words with the correct definitions.

Peasant a person who travels from place to place selling items

Peddler fascinated, charmed
Protruded form of money
Bedazzled the condition of being extremely poor
Console received pain or suffering
Doodads/ trinkets one who is very poor, one who lives without luxuries
Gulden/ groshen great suffering. Agony
Enthralled stuck out, extended
Vanity small items of little value; things such as costume jewelry
Afflicted comfort, make less sad
Poverty enchanted by, impressed with
Anguish too much pride in one’s appearance, obsessed with one’s
appearance; pride in one’s looks
Distress a feeling of extreme worry, sadness, or pain
rage sudden, short period of noise, confusion or excited movement.
Defect Make you confused or worried because you do not understand it
Proposition a fault in something or in the way it has been made that means
that it is not perfect

Commotion a feeling of violent anger that is difficult to control

Perplex offer, suggestion

II. LITERARY ANALYSIS

LITERARY ANALYSIS
1. Plot -Exposition
-Rising action
-Climax
-Falling action
-Resolution/ Denouement
2. Character -Name characters in the story?

3. Setting -Where does the story take place?

-How would you describe the home of the Skibas?

4. Point of view -First person? Second person? Or third person?

5. Theme -What is the them of this story?

Introduction to Literature Isaac Bashevis Singer

III. PLOT DIAGRAM

1. Exposition

2. Rising action

3. Climax

4. Falling action

5.Resolution/
Denouement
Conclusion: When Jan bought a mirror, Kot and Burek discovered the impossible once
looking in the mirror and it made them hate each other. Even once Jan returned the mirror
Kot and Burek still believed that they were the opposite species.

AFTER READING
Review and Assess
1. List some of the goods that the peddler shows Marianna and her daughters.
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What is similar about all these goods?
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Why do the Skibas usually avoid buying goods such as these things?
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2. Before the Skibas buy a mirror, how do the dog and the cat act toward each other?
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How does their behavior change after the Skibas buy a mirror?
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Why does their behavior change?
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3. How are the humans’ reactions to the mirror similar to and different from the animals’
reactions?
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Does the mirror have a positive or negative effect on the humans and the animals?
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What are some positive and negative effects of mirrors on people in general?
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