M

OTHER
“The Story of the
Aged Mother”
by Matsuo Basho
UNLOCKING OF DIFFICULTIES
Direction: Match the letter that exactly describes the underlined words in the sentence.

• A. B.
1. Shining was governed by a a. dictatorial
despotic leader.
b. uncivilized
2. Those were the barbarous days.
c. high
3. The road was long and steep.
d. shoot without its leaves
4. Snapping the twigs from brushes.
e. pain
 5. One night in great distress, the
son whispered the news to his f. happiness
mother. g. rough
 The most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan.
During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his
works in the collaborative haikai no renga form;
today, after centuries of commentary, he is
recognized as the greatest master of haiku (then
called hokku). Bashō was introduced to poetry at a
young age, and after integrating himself into the
intellectual scene of Edo (modern Tokyo) he quickly
became well known throughout Japan. He made a
living as a teacher; but then renounced the social,
urban life of the literary circles and was inclined to
Matsuo Basho ( 松尾 芭蕉 , wander throughout the country, heading west, east,
1644–1694), born 松尾 金 and far into the northern wilderness to gain
作 , then Matsuo Chūemon inspiration for his writing.
Munefusa ( 松尾 忠右衛門
宗房 )
 Comprehension Questions:
Who are the characters in the story?
Where and when is the setting of the story?
Why the story entitled The Story of the Aged Mother?
What was the cruel proclamation of the governor?
How did the story end?
What realization hits you when you read the story?
What is the moral of the story?
Group 1- Jingle
Group 2- Role Play
Group 3- Talk show
Group 4- Letter writing
CRITERIA FOR SCORING:

CONTENT-------------------- 15
STAGE PRESENCE--------10
ORGANIZATION----------5
PRESENTATION-----------5
TEAMWORK-----------------5
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40 points