SHORT ENGLISH STORIES by Oscar Wilde

A. PRE-READING ACTIVITY

Use the link below to learn more about the famous Irish writer Oscar Wilde, then discuss the following
questions in small groups:

1. Who was Oscar Wilde (date of birth, early life and family)
2. How did he die and why did he die like that?
3. What is the title of Wilde’s only novel?
4. Why was his work so popular and what made it stand out in the 19 th century?(VWO only)
5. Oscar Wilde has been a controversial figure. Explain why? (VWO only)

https://www.wilde-online.info/oscar-wilde-biography.htm

B. READING COMPREHENSION AND DISCUSSION

 ‘’THE HAPPY PRINCE’’ BY OSCAR WILDE

https://www.wilde-online.info/the-happy-prince.html

1.Read Oscar Wilde’s short story “The Happy Prince” and answer the following questions in complete
sentences. When appropriate, use a short quote from the story. Remember to put all quotes in
quotation marks.

Where does the story take place?

Who are the characters?

What are the problems the characters face?

How do they solve these problems?

Who is your favorite character and why?

How does the story end?

Which character don’t you like and why?

What lesson does this story teach you?

2. Discussion questions

Discuss the following questions in small groups.

1. What does the word “compassion” mean?

2. How did the Happy Prince show compassion?
3. Why did the swallow decide not to go south with the other birds? Do you think this was a
wise decision and why?
4. What made the Happy Prince and the swallow such good friends?
5. Why do you think the Happy Prince gave away his jewels and gold for the citizens of the
town? Do you think this was noble and why?
6. The story ends very sadly. Why do you think the author decided to do this?
7. Can you think of a happier ending? (HAVO only)

3. Extension questions (VWO only)

1. What other stories does the “The Happy Prince” remind you of?
2. How does this story relate to your own life?
3. Write an alternate ending for the story.
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‘’THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE ROSE’’ BY OSCAR WILDE

 https://www.wilde-online.info/the-nightingale-and-the-rose.html

1.Read Oscar Wilde’s short story “The Nightingale and the Rose” and answer the following questions
in complete sentences. When appropriate, use a short quote from the story. Remember to put all quotes
in quotation marks.

Where does the story take place?

Who are the characters?

What are the problems the characters face?

How do they solve these problems?

Who is your favorite character and why?

How does the story end?

Which character don’t you like and why?

What lesson does this story teach you?

2.Discussion questions

Discuss the following questions in small groups.

1. What do red roses usually symbolize and why?

2. What does the nightingale admire about the Student and why?
3. When the Student rejects Love and turns to philosophy and metaphysics, he returns to his room and
pulls out “a great dusty book.” What is the significance of “dusty” here?
4. The Nightingale sacrificed her life for true and ideal love, but is this worth it? Why? (Give at least
two reasons and examples from your everyday experiences to support your opinion).
3. Extension questions (VWO only)
1. On seeing the red rose, the Student says: “It is so beautiful that I am sure it has a long Latin name.”
What is revealed about the Student here?
2. The Student says all the secrets of philosophy are his but his life is made wretched “for want of a
red rose.” What contrast is suggested here? (Hint: think about what each symbolises.)
3. When the Student rejects Love and turns to philosophy and metaphysics, he returns to his room and
pulls out “a great dusty book.” What is the significance of “dusty” here?
4. Based on the story, describe the Student in terms of his studies, his understanding of the world, and
his feelings for love. Find the passage from the story to support your ideas.

‘’THE FISHERMAN AND HIS SOUL’’ BY OSCAR WILDE

 https://www.wilde-online.info/the-fisherman-and-his-soul.html

1.Read Oscar Wilde’s short story “The Fisherman and his soul” and answer the following questions in
complete sentences. When appropriate, use a short quote from the story. Remember to put all quotes in
quotation marks.

Where does the story take place?

Who are the characters?

What are the problems the

characters face?

How do they solve these problems?

Who is your favorite character and

why?
How does the story end?

Which character don’t you like and

why?

What lesson does this story teach

you?

1. Discussion questions
Discuss the following questions in small groups.

1. On which condition will the mermaid fall in love with the Fisherman?
2. When did the soul come to see the Fisherman again and what happened?
3. Who were the Magadae and the Laktroi?
4. The soul made the hand of the priest small and dry? Why?
5. What does the Mirror of Wisdom do and why?
6. The soul did some bad things. What were they and why do you think he did them?

2. Extension question (VWO only)

Pretend you meet the Fisherman and he asks you, ’Which is better for me, love or wisdom?’ Write
your answer in about 100 words and discuss it in small groups.
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TASK: SHORT FILM BASED ON A SHORT

STORY
Work in a self-selected team of four students to create a short film based on one of the three short
stories by Oscar Wilde. You may negotiate a larger team if you have a clear production plan. The film
should be between 3,5 and 4 minutes in length.
STEP 1

A. PRE-PRODUCTION ACTIVITY CHECKLIST

 Clear and equal division of roles and responsibilities within the teams.
  TASK and RUBRIC are well understood by all team members.

DIVISION OF STUDENT
ROLES & NAME
RESPONSIBILITI
ES
FILM
DIRECTOR &
ASS. DIRECTOR
SCREENPLAY
WRITERS

ACTOR 1

ACTOR 2

ACTOR 3

ACTOR 4

SOUND, MUSIC
AND EDITING

RESPONSIBLE
FOR EXTRA
MATERIALS
NEEDED ON SET

RESPONSIBLE
FOR USE OF
ENGLISH
(GRAMMAR &
VOCABULARY;
PRONUNCIATIO
N AND
FLUENCY);

RESPONSIBLE
FOR RUBRIC
(WHAT IS
EXPECTED AND
WHAT WILL BE
ASSESSED)

CHECKPOINT 1 ARE THE ROLES AND

RESPONSIBILITIES EQUALLY DIVIDED
 WITHIN THE TEAM?
OUTCOME PASS / FAIL
TEACHER’S REMARK

STEP 2

B. PRE-PRODUCTION MATERIALS CHECKLIST:

 Screenplay/Script
 Shooting Schedule
 Extra materials needed on set

1. HOW TO WRITE A SCREENPLAY

FADE IN

INT/EXT. [LOCATION] — DAY/NIGHT

This line gives additional information about where the scene is taking place. It has three
parts to it. Each of these should be presented in all caps.
 Part 1: Determine if the scene will be shot indoors or outdoors. INT for indoors and EXT
for outdoors. INT or EXT will always end with a period.
 Part 2: LOCATION. Specify the location the scene is set.
 Part 3: Time of day. Indicate whether the scene is taking place during the DAY or NIGHT.
[ACTION]

The ACTION describes the scene of the screenplay in the present tense. Tell the audience
what is happening and how it is happening. Be as precise as possible without leaving room
for confusion. Ask yourself: is the reader able to visualize exactly what you wish to
communicate visually?
[Introduce the CHARACTER coming forth on screen for the first time. Keep names in
CAPITALS.]
[CHARACTER-1 NAME] [V.O., O.C., OR O.S.]
After the character’s name, indicate how the character starts
with its line: Indicate V.O. if voiceover, O.C. for Off-Camera, or
O.S. for Off-Screen.
[Dialogue]
The Dialogue indicates text which is spoken by the specified character.
[Introduce CHARACTER-2 coming forth on screen for the first time. Keep names in
CAPITALS.]
[CHARACTER-2 NAME]
 [Dialogue]
[CHARACTER-1 NAME]
[Dialogue]
[CHARACTER-2 NAME]
[Dialogue]
(MORE)
MORE indicates that the dialogues of this character continue on the next page.
[CHARACTER-2 NAME] (CONT’D)
CONT’D indicates that the same character from the previous page continues to speak.
[Dialogue continues…]

[CHARACTER-1 NAME]
[Dialogue]
DISSOLVE TO:
Use this “TRANSITION” between two scenes. A transition can be used any time within your
screenplay and with other types of transitions. DISSOLVE TO is used in this example to
designate a long passage of time. Other transitions such as CUT TO or QUICK CUT are also
commonly used.
INT/EXT. INT/EXT. — INT/EXT.
[Scene-2 description]

[CHARACTER-2 NAME]
[Dialogue]
[CHARACTER-1 NAME]
[Dialogue]
[CHARACTER-2 NAME]
[Dialogue]
[CHARACTER-1 NAME]
[Dialogue]
FADE OUT.
This ending FADE OUT is a standard convention for denoting the end of the screenplay.

THE END
CHECKPOINT 2 SCRIPT (SCREENPLAY)
OUTCOME PASS / FAIL
TEACHER’S REMARK

2. SHOOTING SCHEDULE

Shooting Date and Cast Space Extra Music &

Schedule time materials Editing
(clothes, some
objects etc.)
Shot 1
Shot 2
Shot 3
Shot 4
Shot 4

CHECKPOINT 3 SHOOTING SCHEDULE

OUTCOME PASS / FAIL
TEACHER’S REMARK

STEP 3

C. START FILMING AND EDITING

Good luck!