compare the two stories “The swallow and the pumpkinseed by Elisa Oh”, and “Don’t count your chickens by Diana conway
Directions: For this portfolio, you will be analyzing 2 stories: “The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed” & “Don’t Count Your Chickens”. The first is a folktale, & the second is written in the style of a folktale. Your analysis should focus on the following essay prompt: What life lesson or important values do you think the younger brothers in the two stories help readers understand?
Portfolio Requirements:
Your essay must be at least 3 paragraphs.
Read the stories & choose a life lesson OR important value that you feel the readers should learn based on the younger brothers in BOTH stories. Find evidence in BOTH stories to support your thesis.
Answer the question, “How are the younger boys DIFFERENT from the older brothers in BOTH stories?” and find evidence from BOTH stories to support your answer.
Find TWO examples of how the authors’ use of plot events, language, and literary devices give BOTH stories meaning & show what the authors want the readers to learn (Author’s Message).
In the stories “The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed” by Elisa Oh and “Don’t Count Your Chickens” by Diana Conway, both younger brothers demonstrate the important value of perseverance and determination. In “The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed,” the younger brother, Yung, is able to outsmart his older brothers by using his wits and creativity in order to overcome challenges. Similarly, in “Don’t Count Your Chickens,” the younger brother, Tom, refuses to give up on his dream of becoming a great inventor despite his setbacks.
The younger boys in both stories are different from their older brothers in their approach to problem-solving and their willingness to think outside of the box. While the older brothers in both stories are content with following tradition and sticking to conventional methods, the younger brothers are more open-minded and resourceful. Yung and Tom are unafraid to challenge the status quo and push the boundaries of what is considered possible.
The authors of both stories use plot events, language, and literary devices to convey the message that perseverance and determination are key to achieving success. In "The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed," the use of animal characters and magical elements adds a whimsical touch to the story, while in “Don’t Count Your Chickens,” the use of dialogue and humor helps to engage the reader and make the story more relatable. Overall, both stories highlight the importance of resilience and ingenuity in the face of adversity.