The Cactus
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English 10 Resources
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Unit 3
Unit 1
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Unit 4
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Unit 2
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Objectives
- I can read and annotate a fictional text independently
- I can analyze narrative elements like plot, character, and irony
•Meet the author•
O. Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862–1910), an American writer known for his short stories with clever twists and surprise endings. His stories often focus on ordinary people, their struggles, and the ironic or unexpected outcomes that follow. He had a knack for capturing everyday life with humor, sympathy, and keen observation of human nature.
•Irony•
Irony refers to language that is used to create an opposite effect or express an opposite meaning. When reading Shakespeare, we focused on dramatic irony, which is when the audience understands the full significance of a character's words or actions, while the character does not. Situational irony occurs when an event unfolds in a way that is the opposite of what is expected. Irony is used to surprise the reader and create tension.
•Vocabulary•
Fatuous
Retrospect
Conjecture
Irrevocably
an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information
in a way that cannot be changed, reversed, or recovered
a survey or review of a past course of events or period of time
silly and pointless
The Cactus
Audio Version Link••
Contextuaize your••
Interactive question
Interactive question
Interactive question
Zoom question
How might Trysdale’s fate in “The Cactus” have been different if he had been honest about his limitations? You can start your response with:
Trysdale's fate may have been different . . .
Unit 3
Consequences of Power
There are many resources to use to help you complete this Unit. Check out the Padlet and the resources linked within.
Placed on a catch-up Plan or just need help?
- Schedule a meeting with me using this link
- Follow the detailed outline of the CUP outlined in this word document
Flex Days
- These are great days to schedule meetings with me!
Unit 2
Historical Responsibility
There are many resources to use to help you complete this Unit. Check out the Padlet and the resources linked within.
Placed on a catch-up Plan or just need help?
- Schedule a meeting with me using this link
- Follow the detailed outline of the CUP outlined in this word document
Unit 1
Cultural Resilience
There are many resources to use to help you complete this Unit. Check out the Padlet and the resources linked within.
Placed on a catch-up Plan or just need help?
- Schedule a meeting with me using this link
- Follow the detailed outline of the CUP outlined in this word document
Unit 4
The Effects of Langauge
There are many resources to use to help you complete this Unit. Check out the Padlet and the resources linked within.
Placed on a catch-up Plan or just need help?
- Schedule a meeting with me using this link
- Follow the detailed outline of the CUP outlined in this word document
Life in Texas
O. Henry moved to Texas in 1882. Although he was a trained pharmacist, he did not continue that career in Texas because he wanted to explore different opportunities. After being married, he then started working for First National Bank and publishing a weekly satire article in The Rolling Stone.
Writings
While in prison, O. Henry wrote 14 stories. He was released in 1901 and continued writing. He wrote 281 short stories during his life.
21 Days to Go!
Prison Time
Henry's father-in-law posted his bail, and he fled to Honduras before the trial. He spent six months in Honduras before his wife became sick and he returned to the United States to be with her.
He surrendered to the court after his wife died and was sentenced to five years in prison. In prison, he was able to work in the prison hospital as a pharmacist.
Early Life
O. Henry was both in North Carolina and worked in his uncle's pharmacy while he finished school. At the age of 19, he became a licensed pharmacist.
Embezzlement Charges
While working at the First National Bank, Henry was a teller and a bookkeeper, but did not keep good records. In 1894, he was accused of embezzlement.
He moved his family to Houston in 1895 and began writing for the Post. While in Houston, the bank he worked at in Austin was audited, and he was arrested on embezzlement charges.
In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” one major example of situational irony is that the narrator’s “rest cure,” prescribed to improve her condition, actually worsens it. John and society believe isolation and inactivity will restore her mental health, but instead, it drives her deeper into obsession and madness.
So, the situation turns out opposite of what was intended—the treatment meant to cure her illness becomes the cause of her breakdown.
The Cactus
HS: High School
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Transcript
The Cactus
You may submit your lesson for today blank.
English 10 Resources
Flex Days
Unit 3
Unit 1
Mark these dates down
Click the plus (+) for more information
Click the plus (+) for more information
Unit 4
School Days Left
Unit 2
Click the plus (+) for more information
We are running low on time to catch-up!
Click the plus (+) for more information
Objectives
•Meet the author•
O. Henry was the pen name of William Sydney Porter (1862–1910), an American writer known for his short stories with clever twists and surprise endings. His stories often focus on ordinary people, their struggles, and the ironic or unexpected outcomes that follow. He had a knack for capturing everyday life with humor, sympathy, and keen observation of human nature.
•Irony•
Irony refers to language that is used to create an opposite effect or express an opposite meaning. When reading Shakespeare, we focused on dramatic irony, which is when the audience understands the full significance of a character's words or actions, while the character does not. Situational irony occurs when an event unfolds in a way that is the opposite of what is expected. Irony is used to surprise the reader and create tension.
•Vocabulary•
Fatuous
Retrospect
Conjecture
Irrevocably
an opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information
in a way that cannot be changed, reversed, or recovered
a survey or review of a past course of events or period of time
silly and pointless
The Cactus
Audio Version Link••
Contextuaize your••
Interactive question
Interactive question
Interactive question
Zoom question
How might Trysdale’s fate in “The Cactus” have been different if he had been honest about his limitations? You can start your response with: Trysdale's fate may have been different . . .
Unit 3
Consequences of Power
There are many resources to use to help you complete this Unit. Check out the Padlet and the resources linked within.
Placed on a catch-up Plan or just need help?
Flex Days
Unit 2
Historical Responsibility
There are many resources to use to help you complete this Unit. Check out the Padlet and the resources linked within.
Placed on a catch-up Plan or just need help?
Unit 1
Cultural Resilience
There are many resources to use to help you complete this Unit. Check out the Padlet and the resources linked within.
Placed on a catch-up Plan or just need help?
Unit 4
The Effects of Langauge
There are many resources to use to help you complete this Unit. Check out the Padlet and the resources linked within.
Placed on a catch-up Plan or just need help?
Life in Texas
O. Henry moved to Texas in 1882. Although he was a trained pharmacist, he did not continue that career in Texas because he wanted to explore different opportunities. After being married, he then started working for First National Bank and publishing a weekly satire article in The Rolling Stone.
Writings
While in prison, O. Henry wrote 14 stories. He was released in 1901 and continued writing. He wrote 281 short stories during his life.
21 Days to Go!
Prison Time
Henry's father-in-law posted his bail, and he fled to Honduras before the trial. He spent six months in Honduras before his wife became sick and he returned to the United States to be with her. He surrendered to the court after his wife died and was sentenced to five years in prison. In prison, he was able to work in the prison hospital as a pharmacist.
Early Life
O. Henry was both in North Carolina and worked in his uncle's pharmacy while he finished school. At the age of 19, he became a licensed pharmacist.
Embezzlement Charges
While working at the First National Bank, Henry was a teller and a bookkeeper, but did not keep good records. In 1894, he was accused of embezzlement. He moved his family to Houston in 1895 and began writing for the Post. While in Houston, the bank he worked at in Austin was audited, and he was arrested on embezzlement charges.
In “The Yellow Wallpaper,” one major example of situational irony is that the narrator’s “rest cure,” prescribed to improve her condition, actually worsens it. John and society believe isolation and inactivity will restore her mental health, but instead, it drives her deeper into obsession and madness. So, the situation turns out opposite of what was intended—the treatment meant to cure her illness becomes the cause of her breakdown.