More Texts for Reading and Discussion

I.

My Friend Charles

I. Read the text and say why Charles is always the first person the author invites.

Whenever I have a party, Charles is always the first person I invite. He is such fun. I know that he will be able to make my other guests laugh. He does not get upset if somebody tries to tease or make fun of him, either. Charles can also be very serious and can discuss almost anything you can think of. If it gets late before the party ends, I can always depend on Charles to drive some of the guests home. He never says ‘no’, even if he is very tired or would rather go straight home to bed.

Charles is the manager of the motel on Lawndale Road. It is hard to believe that he was just a bellboy there only five years ago.

II. Questions for discussion.

1. What makes Charles enjoyable to be with?

2. Which qualities of Charles’s character does the author particularly appreciate? Why?

3. What is the key to his successful career, in your opinion?

4. What makes a person the life and soul of the party, do you think?

Len Cobbins

Read the text and explain why the narrator says that Len Cobbins was not the brightest man he knew.

Len Cobbins was a farmer in the village where I spent my childhood. He was not a very good farmer, and never had any money. That was because he never worked very hard. He said he never cared about building his farm into anything important. I don’t think Len could even read or write.

One night, somebody stole a lot of money from the post-office. My father said, “I’ll bet it was old Len Cobbins. Poor old Len – he is sure to be caught.” My father was right. Two days after the robbery, Len showed up in the village with a brand-new car! He just could not wait to spend the money. When the police asked him where he got the car, he said he found it. Poor old Len was not the brightest man I knew.

Questions for discussion.

1. What kind of farmer was Len Cobbins?

2. What was he suspected of? Why?

3. What showed evidence of his guilt?

4. What is his dominant characteristic, in your opinion?

5. What is the author’s attitude to Len Cobbins? What makes you think so?

6. What do you think people like Len Cobins deserve: pity, contempt or something else? Give reasons.

7. What qualities of human nature do you find the most/ the least pleasant? Why?

Helen Burns

Read the text and say why Helen Burns had a special place in Jane’s heart.

Helen Burns was the only true childhood friend Jane Eyre ever had. Her kindness and courage, her understanding and intelligence made a deep and lasting impression on the younger girl.

Jane met Helen shortly after her arrival from Gates head. Helen was kind to her right from the start. She willingly put aside the book she was reading to answer Jane’s childish questions about Lowood Institution and the staff. On a later occasion when Jane was publicly humiliated by Mr. Broklehurst, Helen smiled at her and this simple act helped Jane to face up to her punishment.

Helen herself was often punished. Once she was dismissed from a history lesson and made to stand in the middle of the classroom. Another time she was severely beaten by Miss Scatcherd. Even though the punishment was unjust, Helen accepted it without complaint.

Her belief that it was wrong to remember past injustices made Helen act this way. When Jane complained of Mrs. Reed’s harsh treatment, Helen showed great understanding, but at the same time she pointed out that people should love their enemies because nothing could be achieved by violence.

Though Helen was very clever and top of her class, she continually criticized herself in an effort to correct her ‘faults’. Jane was present when Helen and Miss Temple talked together over tea. She was amazed to discover that Helen had read so much and was able to converse so well with her teacher. Moments like these were the happiest in Helen’s life.

After a long illness, Helen was able to meet death with the same calm acceptance that she faced life. She died happy with no regrets. Jane, who was with Helen on the night of her death, lost a true and dear friend.

Questions and tasks.

1. What kind of person was Helen Burns?

2. What helped her to face up to the harsh realities of life?

3. Do you agree that it is wrong to remember past injustices? Give reasons.

4. Speak about someone you look up to. Point out the qualities for which you admire them.

Picky, Picky, Picky