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Absolom Days Promotion
Absolom Days Promotion
Australia
“Absolom Day’s Promotion” by Price Warung
Before You Read
Review the vocabulary sheet provided. Study the words so that when you encounter them in the
text, they’ll be familiar.
This is a tough story, but you can do it with some guidance. Read the comprehension questions
before you begin reading so you have a purpose for your reading
.
While You Read: Reading Comprehension
Respond using complete sentences and proper writing conventions, and use quotations from the
text (with page numbers in parenthesis) to support your response, whenever possible.
Example: What about the bell has created a “madness of fever” in the veins of the people?
The bell signals the beginning of the execution ceremonies, which awakens the
“delirium of bloodthirst” in the people (pg. 113, 114).
Part I & II
1. What bell is heard at the start of the story? Why is it different than the normal bell?
(p.113114)
2. What about the bell has created a “madness of fever” in the veins of the people? (I know,
I already answered it for you, above. Put the answer in your own words! )
3. What does the sheriff wish to achieve by having an extralarge execution? (p.114115)
4. The procession of prisoners is described on pgs. 116117. What are the prisoners sitting
on? Why is this significant? What is their attitude towards this situation?
5. Who is Absolom Day? Why is he going to be hanged?
6. Some of the prisoners are looking forward to execution. Why?
7. The author describes an interaction between Captain Grove and the Chaplain. What are
the men doing? Why is this significant? What does this passage show about the author’s
attitude toward authority?
8. The Sheriff gives the prisoners one last chance to speak. Describe their attitudes.
9. Why does the executioner quit?
Part III V
10. Why does the Sheriff refuse to execute the prisoners himself?
11. Why do the convicts refuse to do the execution?
12. Discuss the main character’s conflict. What arguments do you think Absalom Day uses to
support his decision to execute the convicts?
13. At the end of the story, Charles Darwin is introduced as one of the audience members.
(Charles Darwin wrote about evolution and survival of the fittest). Why is he included in
this story? Relate his comments to the main ideas of the story.
After You Read – Reflection
Reading great literature is a way to study/explore many issues and questions humans struggle
with all over the world. Actually, reading great literature can be like having a great philosophical
discussion with a writer or with yourself. This story raises several philosophical questions about
human nature and society. Consider this as you respond to the following questions.
1. One question the story raises is whether executions deter, or prevent, crime. Give the
author’s answer to this question. Look at the last chapter and examine the plot – what
happens in the story.
2. What do you think? Are executions a deterrent to crime? What evidence do you use to help
create this belief?
3. The story also asks the reader whether or not violence comes naturally to people. What is
the author’s view on this? How can you tell?
4. What do you think? Is violence a natural aspect of humans? What evidence do you use to
support this belief?
5. These are only two of the many deep/philosophical questions raised in the story. Can you
think of one more? (Think about the themes we’ve been studying so far for the Australia
unit.) How would the author answer this question? Give evidence.
6. How would you answer your own question? What evidence supports your view?
7. Regardless of whether or not you like the story, name one thing that you struggled with
and one thing that you’ll remember from this story (like a question/issue that interested you).