Question
adapted from Folklore of the Santal Parganas
Long ago, a man and his son went to visit the son's future father-in-law. They were joyfully welcomed, but the father-in-law, who had been busy, had nothing prepared for his guests. He said to his daughter, "Now, fill the little river and the big river, and polish the big axe and the little axe, and bar them into the cow house. I will be back with a pot full of the water of dry land, then we will finish off these friends."
The two visitors heard this strange talk, and they began to wonder if their host meant to toss them into the river bed; rich men had been known to do such things. With this thought in their minds, they made haste to leave, but the young woman called them back.
They reluctantly stopped, and when she came up they reproached her for not having warned them of their fate. She laughed at their folly and explained that what her father meant was she should give them a seat in the cow house, and then make pots of tea in the big and little pitchers after she polished them. He would bring back some coffee, and they would all have a drink. Upon hearing this, they laughed heartily and returned to the house.
Passage 2
Enigmas
adapted from Folklore of the Santal Parganas
Stage Set: Long ago, in a house
[A man and his son are arriving at the house of the son's future father-in-law for a visit. The father-in-law is angry because he is not prepared. He asks his daughter to quickly help ready things.]
FATHER-IN-LAW: Now, fill the little river and the big river while I am away, and polish the big axe and the little axe, and bar them into the cow house. I will come back, and then we will finish off these friends.
DAUGHTER: I will see to it, sir.
[The man and son are standing outside the door of the father-in-law's house and overhear the conversation.]
SON: [Fearful] Did you hear what he said?
MAN: Yes. He's going to throw us in the river. Let's run!
DAUGHTER: [Chasing after the two men] Come back!
MAN: [Angry] Why weren't you candid about our fate?
DAUGHTER: [Laughing] He meant that I should give you a seat on the patio and make you some tea. He would bring coffee, and you would all have a drink.
1
Students were asked to write details from Passage 1 that help identify the theme. Which notes best represent the theme?
Long ago, a man and his son went to visit the son's future father-in-law. They were joyfully welcomed, but the father-in-law, who had been busy, had nothing prepared for his guests. He said to his daughter, "Now, fill the little river and the big river, and polish the big axe and the little axe, and bar them into the cow house. I will be back with a pot full of the water of dry land, then we will finish off these friends."
The two visitors heard this strange talk, and they began to wonder if their host meant to toss them into the river bed; rich men had been known to do such things. With this thought in their minds, they made haste to leave, but the young woman called them back.
They reluctantly stopped, and when she came up they reproached her for not having warned them of their fate. She laughed at their folly and explained that what her father meant was she should give them a seat in the cow house, and then make pots of tea in the big and little pitchers after she polished them. He would bring back some coffee, and they would all have a drink. Upon hearing this, they laughed heartily and returned to the house.
Passage 2
Enigmas
adapted from Folklore of the Santal Parganas
Stage Set: Long ago, in a house
[A man and his son are arriving at the house of the son's future father-in-law for a visit. The father-in-law is angry because he is not prepared. He asks his daughter to quickly help ready things.]
FATHER-IN-LAW: Now, fill the little river and the big river while I am away, and polish the big axe and the little axe, and bar them into the cow house. I will come back, and then we will finish off these friends.
DAUGHTER: I will see to it, sir.
[The man and son are standing outside the door of the father-in-law's house and overhear the conversation.]
SON: [Fearful] Did you hear what he said?
MAN: Yes. He's going to throw us in the river. Let's run!
DAUGHTER: [Chasing after the two men] Come back!
MAN: [Angry] Why weren't you candid about our fate?
DAUGHTER: [Laughing] He meant that I should give you a seat on the patio and make you some tea. He would bring coffee, and you would all have a drink.
1
Students were asked to write details from Passage 1 that help identify the theme. Which notes best represent the theme?
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To identify the theme of the passages, students should focus on the elements that highlight misunderstandings, communication, and intentions. The following notes from Passage 1 can help represent the theme:
1. **Misinterpretation of Words**: The visitors misunderstand the father-in-law's instructions, fearing for their safety based on his peculiar phrasing.
2. **Joyful Welcoming**: Despite the tension, the visit begins with a positive atmosphere, suggesting that misunderstandings can occur even in hospitable situations.
3. **Reassurance through Explanation**: The daughter laughs and clarifies her father's intentions, showing how communication can resolve fears and misconceptions.
4. **Conclusion of Laughter and Relief**: The visitors laugh heartily upon understanding the situation, emphasizing the theme of how initial fears can turn into humor through clarity.
These notes collectively underscore a theme of misunderstandings in communication, the importance of patience and clarification, and the eventual relief that comes from understanding the true intentions behind words.
1. **Misinterpretation of Words**: The visitors misunderstand the father-in-law's instructions, fearing for their safety based on his peculiar phrasing.
2. **Joyful Welcoming**: Despite the tension, the visit begins with a positive atmosphere, suggesting that misunderstandings can occur even in hospitable situations.
3. **Reassurance through Explanation**: The daughter laughs and clarifies her father's intentions, showing how communication can resolve fears and misconceptions.
4. **Conclusion of Laughter and Relief**: The visitors laugh heartily upon understanding the situation, emphasizing the theme of how initial fears can turn into humor through clarity.
These notes collectively underscore a theme of misunderstandings in communication, the importance of patience and clarification, and the eventual relief that comes from understanding the true intentions behind words.