The White Umbrella/The Medicine Bag

The White Umbrella/The Medicine Bag

by Paula Rein

​Literary Analysis: Comparing Symbols

​A symbol is a person, place, or thing that represents something beyond its literal meaning. For example, a national flag is more than just a colorful rectangle of fabric—it represents a country. Similarly, doves usually symbolize peace. Symbolism can add meaning to a literary work. Authors can use symbols in two ways:

• Using existing cultural symbols—such as a dove or a flag—that have commonly understood meanings

• Creating their own symbols and developing their meaning through the descriptions, actions, and events of a story

Appreciating a story’s symbolism helps you grasp its main message, or theme.

Open Ended

When does the narrator of “The White Umbrella” first see the umbrella?

Open Ended

What feelings does the white umbrella provoke in the narrator early in the story?

Open Ended

What significance does the umbrella have in the development of the story?

Open Ended

At the outset of “The Medicine Bag,” whom does the bag belong to? How does

Martin feel about this person when he first comes to Martin’s house?

Open Ended

What feelings does the medicine bag provoke in Martin early in the story?

Open Ended

What significance does the medicine bag have in the development of the story?

Multiple Choice

Why does the narrator in “The White Umbrella” lie about her mother?

• She is trying to impress Eugenie Roberts’s mother.

• She does not know she is lying; she really believes what she says.

• She is embarrassed that her mother works.

• She is playing a trick on Miss Crosman.

Multiple Choice

How does the narrator of “The White Umbrella” first feel about the umbrella?

• She wants one of her own.

• She thinks it is ridiculous.

• She does not want Eugenie to have it.

• She wants to buy one with her allowance.

Multiple Choice

What does the umbrella first represent to the narrator in “The White Umbrella”?

• It represents what American girls have.

• It represents her love for her mother.

• It represents her piano lessons.

• It represents her love for Miss Crosman.

Multiple Choice

When the narrator learns who the true owner of the umbrella is, what does she

say that makes her immediately feel bad?

• She says to Miss Crosman, “Thank you, but I can’t accept it.”

• She says to Miss Crosman, “I wish you were my mother.”

• She says to Miss Crosman, “I don’t need an umbrella. I have a raincoat.”

• She says to Eugenie, “Thank you, but I can’t accept it.”

Multiple Choice

What job does the narrator of “The White Umbrella” learn that her mother has?

• check-out clerk at the A&P

• florist delivering roses

• perfume salesperson at a store

• recipe tester for the newspaper

Multiple Choice

In “The Medicine Bag,” which statement should you infer from Martin’s embarrassment about his grandfather?

• Martin is a cruel and insensitive person.

• Grandpa’s behavior is out of control.

• Martin is overly sensitive to what his friends think.

• Martin once had a bad experience with his grandfather.

Multiple Choice

In “The Medicine Bag,” why does Grandpa collapse after arriving at the house?

• He is having a heart attack.

• He has heat exhaustion.

• He is shocked by life in the suburbs.

• He is overcome with emotion.

Multiple Choice

In “The Medicine Bag,” how does Cheryl’s reaction to Grandpa’s visit differ from

Martin’s?

• Cheryl is not ashamed for her friends to see Grandpa.

• Cheryl is jealous because she will not get a medicine bag.

• Cheryl wishes Grandpa had never come.

• Cheryl is afraid of Grandpa and tries to hide from him.

Multiple Choice

What does Martin do at the end of “The Medicine Bag” to show that his feelings

for his grandfather and the medicine bag have changed?

• He wears the medicine bag to school.

• He buries the medicine bag with his grandfather on the prairie.

• He puts the medicine bag away so that no harm will come to it.

• He puts sacred sage from the prairie in his medicine bag.

Multiple Choice

What does the medicine bag represent to Martin at the end of “The Medicine Bag”?

• his dislike for his Sioux heritage

• his feelings of embarrassment for Grandpa

• his desire to please his Grandpa

• his grandfather and his Sioux heritage

Multiple Choice

Which word is most similar in meaning to discreet?

• foolish

• controlled

• cautious

• fierce

Multiple Choice

What is the meaning of the word authentic in this sentence?

We always had some authentic Sioux article to show our listeners.

• genuine

• convincing

• questionable

• mechanical