Step 1
| Step 2
| Step 3
| Step 4
Evaluate the character’s decisions: |
What is the action the character takes?
(Text based) | What were the consequences?
(Text based and/or inferred information) | Why did the character
act in this way? (Text based and/or inferred information) | What flaws were there in the character’s thinking?
Explain your answer. | What logical reasons support the choices made?
Explain your answer. | Do you agree or disagree with the characters reasoning?
Support your answer. | Does the character’s treatment of the other characters seem fair?
Why or why not? |
| Farmer hits the Stranger with his pick-up truck | Farmer takes the Stranger home | Wanted to take care of him | He could have been violent, a criminal, etc. | §
They were in the country, no nearby hospital or emergency services
§ They showed compassion and empathy toward an injured individual. | Opinion:
I agree/disagree… I agree with the farmer and his family’s decision to take in the Stranger and to care for him. Evidence: Helping another person when they are hurt is the right thing to do, especially when you caused the injury. The Stranger and the family became very fond of one another. They felt as though he was “…one of the family.” He also did chores including bailing hay. | Judgment:
Yes, it’s fair/ No, it’s not fair… Yes, the farmer and his family’s treatment of the Stranger was fair. Evidence: It is a person’s duty to care for or make arrangements for someone they have injured. It is critical to show compassion for others. The family also demonstrated the ability to show empathy toward someone who was “different” from themselves. |
| Stranger …
§ can’t speak § Breaks thermometer when Doctor takes temperature § was confused with buttons / buttonholes § created cold draft when he blew on his soup § rabbits hopped in his direction | The reader and family realizes that the Stranger is a “special” person | He has amnesia from the bump on the back of his head.
§ These clues lead us to believe that the Stranger may be somehow supernatural and that he has a strong connection to “coolness”. | Why as the family not more concerned with these things?
§ Why didn’t they seek additional outside help for the Stranger? | They liked the Stranger and “…became like one of the family.”
§ His condition improved and didn’t worsen. | ||
| Stranger…
§ never gets tired § stares at birds flying south § thought tress would be much better if all leaves would be red and orange § believed something was wrong blew on leaf | §
The Stranger is trying to remember who he is and what he needs to do.
§ Once he remembers he leaves the farm. § Fall occurs on the farm. | §
Now he takes on his responsibility / job of bringing autumn.
§ Seasons needed to change | It is necessary for the Earth to have seasons.
§ The seasons needed to change from summer to autumn. | |||
| Stranger …
Doesn’t leave the farm | It remains “summer like” on the farm. | He can’t remember what he needs to do or what his job is. | He is still suffering from amnesia. | |||
| Stranger …
§ Returns each fall | Autumn begins on the farm | Autumn needs to occur.
§ The Stranger is doing his job. | He is still doing his job. | |||
| Stranger …
Writes message in frost on the family’s window | The family remembers the Stranger | He is fond of the family and still feels like “…one of the family…” | It is his way of keeping in contact with the family he loves. |
| § It is important to do the right thing. | Seasons are a necessary part of the Earth’s cycles. |
| It is critical to treat others with compassion. | It is important to live life and to be true to who you really are. |
| § Drive to the nearest hospital or doctor to seek medical help for the injured person, seeking medical help and being responsible but not personally caring for him. |
| The same thing that the family did. |
| Do not take care of the injured person, being concerned about a lawsuit. |