The Boatman's Flute

The mandarin's daughter dreams of riding in a boat with the boatman of the ghe. In her dream she-

• traveled across a wide and stormy lake

• experienced nature the way it had been expressed by poets

• heard a strange bird song that was new to her

• received a tray of delicate to eat with the boatman

The boatman decides not to return to the part of river where he played to the mandarin's daughter because-

• a gentleman he ferried across the river tells him he will report him to the mandarin

• he learns that the mandarin's daughter is married

• he knows if he sees her face again he'll never have peace

• he has fruit and rice that he needs to deliver downriver

When the mandarin's daughter drinks from the jade cup-

• she realizes she should have married the boatman

• she decides to go in search of the boatman

• she remembers the boatman's music and the dreams she had

• she drops the goblet and it shatters

The story uses third person omniscient point of view, which means "knows all characters thoughts and feelings". What words in paragraphs 5-8 are evidence of this point of view?

• I, me

• he/she, his/her

• you/your

• boatman/girl

Reread paragraph 16. What type of conflict is the character facing?

• external conflict

• internal conflict

In paragraph 20, how does third person omniscient point of view help the reader to understand why the handmaiden told the mandarin about the boatman?

• It helps the reader understand that the handmaiden told the mandarin about the boatman out of anger.

• It helps the reader understand that the mandarin is happy about the boatman.

• It helps the reader understand that the girl is happy about the boatman.

• It helps the reader understand that the handmaiden went to tell the mandarin about the boatman out of pity.

In paragraph 31, the girl experiences a flashback A flashback is an interruption in the story that takes place at an earlier time. What triggers her flashback?

• She drops the goblet and it shatters.

• Her family and friends prepare to send the boatman's body down the river.

• She suddenly remembers the boatman's sweet music.

• She saw an image at the bottom of the cup of a small ghe.

In paragraph 33, what was the turning point for the girl?

• The girl realized that she should not have rejected the boatman.

• The girl remembered the boatman's sweet music.

• The boatman made her feel such warmth and happiness.

• The girl's days and nights were even emptier and longer than before.

What are the characteristics from this story that make it a folktale?

• A story that contains talking animals.

• A story that contains the rule of three.

• A story that has been passed down from generation to generation.

• A story that is based on real life.

How does the girl's attitude towards the boatman change?

• Her heart was torn apart to see him leave.

• Although she appreciated his lovely music, she did not want to be with him because he was ugly.

• Her heart pounded as she saw the strong boatman.

• She looked at the boatman in amazement.