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Question
Answer the following question briefly.
How does the ghost undermine the narrator's faith in his ability to write ghost stories?
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Solution
The ghost thinks that the narrator can not write ghost stories but the ghosts give him the idea. Helen tells him that many a time it is she who has leant on his shoulder when he is thinking hard for an idea.
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John Hallock could never displease Jenkins. Why?
How does the lesson, 'A Shady Plot' remind us that man has no right to invoke supernatural powers through Ouija boards, Tarot cards etc to solve his problems and that one should face life boldly and overcome difficulties using wit and intelligence. Write in 80−100 words.
The title of the story is A Shady Plot. The dictionary defines the words as:
plot noun.
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What made the writer overconfident about his ability to write ghost stories?
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The ghost wanted John to …………………………………………..
Based on your reading of the story answer the following question by ticking the correct option.
Gladolia wishes to leave the narrator's house as ………………….
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What makes Helen, the ghost and her other co-ghosts organize The Writer's Inspiration Bureau? .
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Why had Helen, the ghost, been helping the narrator write ghost stories? Why was she going on strike? What condition did she place for providing continued help?
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Why does the narrator hesitate to be a partner to Laura Hinkle during the Ouija Board Party?
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Do you agree with the narrator calling the assembly of women "manipulators?" Give reasons.
Gladolia, the narrator's cook, is an African. The language she speaks is different from that of the others. This is known as Dialect. A dialect consists of words or phrases that reflect the regional variety of a language. An author often uses a dialect to make the dialogue more authentic. Initially, a dialogue may seem a little difficult to understand. However, as you continue reading, the language becomes more comprehensible.
Working in groups, write what Gladolia's words mean as shown.
| Column A | Column B |
| • Misto Hallock | • Mister Hallock |
| • de Missus | |
| • sho t'inks you's lost! | |
| • she done 'phone you dis mawnin' | |
| • fo' de lawd's sake | |
| • not to stop to argify now | |
| • I's gwine t' quit. | |
| • I don't like no hoodoos. | |
| • I'se done lef' dis place | |
| • I is |
Do you think a story has an atmosphere? Complete the following blanks to make
up your ghost story by choosing the correct options.
| A Ghost Story She opened the _________________ (secret door/ spaceship's hatch/ door of the cottage/ cemetery gate/ door of the castle/ cockpit) _________________ (brashly/ loudly/ silently/ stupidly/ fearfully/ joyously). Standing in front of her was a ________________ (terrifying/ handsome/ smelly/ anonymous/ tiny/ huge/ bossy) ___________ (policeman/ spy/ apparition/ witch/ prince/ wizard) with a _________________ (wand/ rose/ rod/ knife/ scythe/ coded message) in his/ her (its) _________________ (ghoulish/ bony/ beautiful/ fair/ manly/ gloved/ magical) hand. |
While conventional Ghost stories are scary and gruesome, several modern versions are humorous. The Canterville Ghost, by Oscar Wilde, is one of the best ghost stories written in the vein of comic satire. The story that you just read is another example in case. Humour arises out of the narrator's ability to laugh at himself, clever use of language as well as comic situations. Discuss within your groups what makes the story, A Shady Plot humorous. Share your views during a class discussion.
Answer the following question:
The Ghost was particularly angry with Washington and wished to frighten him
because…. ...................................................................(Complete the statement)
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The Ghost did not wish to frighten Virginia because ….(Complete the statement)
Comment on Elsie Brown’s writing style in the story, The Shady Plot.
