Alice Walker: The Flowers

Considering that the narrator possesses all-knowing information about Myop, nature, etc., what is

the point of view of “The Flowers”?

• 1st person

• 2nd person

• 3rd person limited

• 3rd person omniscient

Although not explicitly stated, what is the likely setting of the short story?

• in the north sometime post-Civil Rights (after the 1960s)

• in the north sometime pre-Civil Rights (before the 1960s)

• in the south sometime post-Civil Rights (after the 1960s)

• in the south sometime pre-Civil Rights (before the 1960s)

Who is the antagonist of “The Flowers”?

• life’s harsh truths or realities

• Mother Nature

• Myop’s mother

• the skeleton of the man

What is the central conflict of “The Flowers”?

• Myop and her struggle against Mother Nature

• Myop and her struggle against the skeleton of the man

• Myop and her struggle against technology

• Myop and her struggle to maintain or preserve her childhood innocence

What comprises the rising action of the short story?

• Myop admires the beautiful crops around their land.

• Myop walks around and plays on and near her family’s property and into the woods.

• Myop discovers a dead body by stepping in its face.

• Myop places her flowers near the skeleton of the dead man.

The change in setting when it becomes “gloomy” and “damp” suggests that something bad may happen to Myop. What is this literary device called?

• characterization

• foreshadowing

• point of view

• theme

What is one of the main themes of “The Flowers”?

• loss of innocence

• children and nature

• Summer only lasts so long; eventually, seasons change

• secrets and lies

What is the significance of the last line “And the summer was over”?

• Fall and school has begun.

• Myop is reborn with hope.

• Myop’s innocence is lost.

• The summer has ended; it’s fall.

Flowers and summer symbolize all of the following to Myop except what?

• adulthood

• happiness

• pleasure

• innocence

Allusion Connection:

How is Myop like Little Red Riding Hood from the fairy tale?

• Like Little Red Riding Hood, Myop is a damsel in distress who is later rescued by a man.

• Like Little Red Riding Hood, Myop is consumed by nature and must later slay a beast.

• Like Little Red Riding Hood, Myop learns and grows from a trip into the woods.

• Like Little Red Riding Hood, Myop sets out to protect and take care of her family.