Write an Essay
The story The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed is a folktale and Don’t Count Your Chickens is written in the style of a folktale. In many folktales, some characters are rewarded for their positive qualities or values. Other characters are punished or do not have success due to their negative qualities or values. The characters and events teach the reader a lesson about life. What life lesson or important values do you think the younger brothers in the two stories help readers understand? Write a three-paragraph essay that tells your response.
Paragraph 1: Write an introductory paragraph that identifies the main characters in The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed and Don’t Count Your Chickens. Tell what life lesson or important values the younger brothers in the two stories help the readers understand.
Paragraph 2: Explain how the qualities or values of the younger brothers in the stories are different from those of their older brothers. Use details from the stories to contrast the character traits and points of view of the younger brothers with those of their older brothers.
Paragraph 3: Explain what you think the authors want readers to learn from the younger brothers in the stories. Tell how the plot events and the authors’ use of language and literary devices to support your ideas. End your paragraph with a sentence that restates the lesson or values that the characters in the stories convey to readers.
Use details from the stories to support your ideas in the essay.
The Swallow and the PumpkinSeed
Don’t Count Your Chickens
Use the rubric as a guide in writing your essay and to understand how your essay will be graded.
Literary Essay Portfolio Rubric
Reflect on the Portfolio
Recall what you have learned about analyzing literary texts. Then answer these questions. Write your reflections in your notebook.
How did comparing and contrasting the characters’ points of view help you understand the stories in this portfolio? How did it help you understand the cultures of the characters?
What did you learn from analyzing and comparing the plots of the stories? How could you apply what you learned to other stories?
How did evaluating the authors’ use of figurative language and literary devices help you appreciate their writing? In your opinion, how does understanding the use of language and images in a story help you to be a better reader?
11 answers
Contrasting the qualities of the younger brothers with those of their older siblings provides insight into the themes of the stories. In The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed, the older brothers are greedy, lazy, and deceitful, leading to their downfall. On the other hand, the Swallow's humility and willingness to help others bring him success and happiness. In Don't Count Your Chickens, the older brother is arrogant and overconfident, while the younger brother is hardworking and honest. This contrast shows the importance of integrity and hard work in achieving one's goals.
The authors of these stories want readers to understand the importance of staying true to oneself, being humble, and acting with integrity. The plot events in the stories serve to highlight the value of these qualities, as the younger brothers are ultimately rewarded for their positive attributes. The authors also use language and literary devices such as imagery and symbolism to emphasize these themes. By understanding the authors' use of language and literary devices, readers can appreciate the deeper meaning of the stories and learn from the characters' experiences.
In conclusion, the younger brothers in The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed and Don't Count Your Chickens teach readers the important values of perseverance, integrity, and humility. By comparing and contrasting the characters' qualities, analyzing the plots, and evaluating the authors' use of language, readers can gain a deeper understanding of the lessons these stories convey. Ultimately, these tales remind us of the importance of staying true to ourselves, working hard, and acting with integrity in order to achieve success and happiness in life.
The qualities of the younger brothers are starkly contrasted with those of their older siblings in the stories. The older brothers in both tales are depicted as greedy, lazy, deceitful, and arrogant. In contrast, the younger brothers display traits of honesty, hard work, and humility. This contrast emphasizes the importance of integrity and hard work in achieving one's goals, as well as the negative consequences of being greedy, lazy, and deceitful.
The authors of these stories convey a clear message about the importance of positive values through the experiences of the younger brothers. The plot events serve to highlight the rewards that come from embodying qualities such as perseverance, integrity, and humility. The authors utilize language and literary devices to emphasize these themes, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the stories' messages. By appreciating the authors' use of language and imagery, readers can better grasp the lessons about staying true to oneself, working hard, and acting with integrity that the younger brothers exemplify.
The contrast between the qualities of the younger brothers and their older siblings in the stories is significant. The older brothers are portrayed as greedy, lazy, deceitful, and arrogant, leading to their downfall. In contrast, the younger brothers display traits such as honesty, hard work, and humility, ultimately being rewarded for their positive attributes. This sharp contrast emphasizes the value of integrity and hard work in achieving goals, while also showcasing the negative consequences of negative traits like greed and arrogance.
The authors of these stories aim to convey a message about the importance of positive values through the experiences of the younger brothers. By showcasing the rewards that come from embodying qualities like perseverance, integrity, and humility, the authors teach readers valuable lessons. Through their use of language, imagery, and literary devices, the authors enhance the themes of the stories and provide readers with a deeper understanding of the messages about staying true to oneself, working hard, and acting with integrity that the younger brothers embody.
Through the experiences of the younger brothers, the authors convey a message about the importance of positive values. The plot events in the stories emphasize the rewards that come from embodying qualities like integrity and hard work, while learning from the consequences of negative traits. By using language, imagery, and literary devices, the authors enhance the themes of the stories and provide readers with a deeper understanding of the messages about staying true to oneself, working hard, and acting with integrity that the younger brothers exemplify.
Through the experiences of the younger brothers, the authors convey a message about the importance of positive values. The plot events in the stories emphasize the rewards that come from embodying qualities like integrity and hard work, while learning from the consequences of negative traits. By using language, imagery, and literary devices, the authors enhance the themes of the stories and provide readers with a deeper understanding of the messages about staying true to oneself, working hard, and acting with integrity that the younger brothers exemplify.