part one
2/17/2026
SHORT STORIES REVIEW
Start
Irony
Dramatic -
When we know something that the characters don't, like when we scream at horror movies.
Situational -
When the actual outcome of a situation is the exact opposite of what was intended or expected
Verbal -
When a speaker says something but means the opposite, like sarcasm.
Open Window
Who is the author?
+ info
Saki (Hector Hugh Munro)
What happens?
Vera (a fifteen-year-old girl) decides to scare Framton, a nervous man, by telling a fake, tragic story of her aunt keeping a window open to wait for her drowned husband and brothers.
The irony?
Situational - Framton goes to the country to escape his nerves... and ends up more nervous.
Dramatic - At the end, the reader realizes the men are just returning from a normal hunt, while Framton still believes they are ghosts. We watch him flee in terror from a 'threat' we know is harmless.
Verbal - "He looks as though he's seen a ghost" and "Romance at short notice was her speciality."
Hearts & Hands & Henry
Who is the author? O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)
+ info
The Plot...
A woman named Miss Fairchild recognizes Mr. Easton on a train and believes he is the marshal escorting a prisoner to prison. At the end, it is revealed that Easton is actually the prisoner, and the real marshal has allowed the misunderstanding to continue to protect Easton’s dignity.
"Don't judge a book by its cover."
The irony?
Situational - We (and Miss Fairchild) expect the handsome, charming man to be the Marshal, and the rough, glum man to be the criminal -- but it's the exact opposite. Expectation v Reality.
Verbal - "He's taking me to Leavenworth prison. It's seven years for counterfeiting." ... Saying the truth but intending to deceive.
Dramatic - On a re-read, we have the 'God-view.' We see the handcuffs on the wrong hand and realize Easton is the criminal immediately, while Miss Fairchild remains cluelessly impressed by him
Censors
Systematic Error...
- Juan joins the "Post Office's Censorship Division" to intercept a dangerous letter he sent to Mariana, but becomes so obsessed with doing a "perfect job" that he starts seeing danger in everything, finds his own letter, and... condemns himself.
- Situational Irony: Juan joins the censors to
save himself, but the job is what kills him.
"One more victim of his devotion to his work" -- DEVOTED!?!?! HE'S BRAINWASHED!!!!
Luisa Valenzuela
Success irony -- we root for the protagonist to be "THE BEST" at their job, but this job brings him closer to his execution the better he is.
How does Luisa show off the dangers of obsession? Do we see this nowadays?
STATIONS
While we're doing stations, we should focus on... THEME IRONY & HOW IT RELATES NOW Go through each station (10-15 minutes each) and complete the activity -- work together as a group!
The Man Behind the Pen
Used the pen name Saki. Most scholars think this is because of the Persian poem The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.Known for his satire and wit -- used irony and humor to poke fun at the "proper" manners of the British upper-class society (like Framton). Raised by two very strict aunts -- tons of his stories have mischevious children who outsmart boring adults. Considered a master of the short story -- very concise world, prank, and shock ending! "Put that bloody cigarette out!"
The Dirty WarPeople were killed or disappeared for saying the wrong thing -- it was literally LIFE and DEATH."A terrorist is not only someone with a weapon or bomb, but anyone who spreads ideas which are contrary to our Western and Christian civilization." She was terrified of showing anyone her story.
THE VOICE OF RESISTANCE
Luisa Valenzuela
A famous Argentine writer -- she wrote "Censors" while her country was under a brutal military dictatorship.She wanted to show how fear & government control can actually change a person's brain. The "monster" isn't just the government -- it's how the government makes you (the citizen) act.
The Man Behind the Pen
Used the pen name Saki. Most scholars think this is because of the Persian poem The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.Known for his satire and wit -- used irony and humor to poke fun at the "proper" manners of the British upper-class society (like Framton). Raised by two very strict aunts -- tons of his stories have mischevious children who outsmart boring adults. Considered a master of the short story -- very concise world, prank, and shock ending! "Put that bloody cigarette out!"
VS
Porter used a pseudonym as well, but this one was created while in prison... for stealing money from a bank.The king of surprise endings -- like "American Horror Story" or a mystery novel -- you have to go back and look for what you missed! Was very lonely (but famous). He would drink two quarts of whiskey a day and ended up dying at 47 from cirrhosis of the liver. Even though his stories are funny and have cool endings, there's usually undertones of being lonely in the big city. Sometimes, he wrote one story a week!
O. Henry? More like Oh, Henry...
SHORT STORIES REVIEW
Ms. H
Created on February 10, 2026
Open window Hearts & Hands Censors 10th grade honors censors slide is hilarious btw lol email mshetzel13@gmail.com for questions
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Transcript
part one
2/17/2026
SHORT STORIES REVIEW
Start
Irony
Dramatic -
When we know something that the characters don't, like when we scream at horror movies.
Situational -
When the actual outcome of a situation is the exact opposite of what was intended or expected
Verbal -
When a speaker says something but means the opposite, like sarcasm.
Open Window
Who is the author?
+ info
Saki (Hector Hugh Munro)
What happens?
Vera (a fifteen-year-old girl) decides to scare Framton, a nervous man, by telling a fake, tragic story of her aunt keeping a window open to wait for her drowned husband and brothers.
The irony?
Situational - Framton goes to the country to escape his nerves... and ends up more nervous.
Dramatic - At the end, the reader realizes the men are just returning from a normal hunt, while Framton still believes they are ghosts. We watch him flee in terror from a 'threat' we know is harmless.
Verbal - "He looks as though he's seen a ghost" and "Romance at short notice was her speciality."
Hearts & Hands & Henry
Who is the author? O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)
+ info
The Plot...
A woman named Miss Fairchild recognizes Mr. Easton on a train and believes he is the marshal escorting a prisoner to prison. At the end, it is revealed that Easton is actually the prisoner, and the real marshal has allowed the misunderstanding to continue to protect Easton’s dignity.
"Don't judge a book by its cover."
The irony?
Situational - We (and Miss Fairchild) expect the handsome, charming man to be the Marshal, and the rough, glum man to be the criminal -- but it's the exact opposite. Expectation v Reality.
Verbal - "He's taking me to Leavenworth prison. It's seven years for counterfeiting." ... Saying the truth but intending to deceive.
Dramatic - On a re-read, we have the 'God-view.' We see the handcuffs on the wrong hand and realize Easton is the criminal immediately, while Miss Fairchild remains cluelessly impressed by him
Censors
Systematic Error...
save himself, but the job is what kills him.
"One more victim of his devotion to his work" -- DEVOTED!?!?! HE'S BRAINWASHED!!!!
Luisa Valenzuela
Success irony -- we root for the protagonist to be "THE BEST" at their job, but this job brings him closer to his execution the better he is.
How does Luisa show off the dangers of obsession? Do we see this nowadays?
STATIONS
While we're doing stations, we should focus on... THEME IRONY & HOW IT RELATES NOW Go through each station (10-15 minutes each) and complete the activity -- work together as a group!
The Man Behind the Pen
Used the pen name Saki. Most scholars think this is because of the Persian poem The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.Known for his satire and wit -- used irony and humor to poke fun at the "proper" manners of the British upper-class society (like Framton). Raised by two very strict aunts -- tons of his stories have mischevious children who outsmart boring adults. Considered a master of the short story -- very concise world, prank, and shock ending! "Put that bloody cigarette out!"
The Dirty WarPeople were killed or disappeared for saying the wrong thing -- it was literally LIFE and DEATH."A terrorist is not only someone with a weapon or bomb, but anyone who spreads ideas which are contrary to our Western and Christian civilization." She was terrified of showing anyone her story.
THE VOICE OF RESISTANCE
Luisa Valenzuela
A famous Argentine writer -- she wrote "Censors" while her country was under a brutal military dictatorship.She wanted to show how fear & government control can actually change a person's brain. The "monster" isn't just the government -- it's how the government makes you (the citizen) act.
The Man Behind the Pen
Used the pen name Saki. Most scholars think this is because of the Persian poem The Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám.Known for his satire and wit -- used irony and humor to poke fun at the "proper" manners of the British upper-class society (like Framton). Raised by two very strict aunts -- tons of his stories have mischevious children who outsmart boring adults. Considered a master of the short story -- very concise world, prank, and shock ending! "Put that bloody cigarette out!"
VS
Porter used a pseudonym as well, but this one was created while in prison... for stealing money from a bank.The king of surprise endings -- like "American Horror Story" or a mystery novel -- you have to go back and look for what you missed! Was very lonely (but famous). He would drink two quarts of whiskey a day and ended up dying at 47 from cirrhosis of the liver. Even though his stories are funny and have cool endings, there's usually undertones of being lonely in the big city. Sometimes, he wrote one story a week!
O. Henry? More like Oh, Henry...