Short Fiction

Final Exam

Name:__________________________

Introduction:
This exam is intended to allow you to demonstrate your understanding of the Form of the Short
Story through careful and thoughtful literary analysis.
Instructions:
Read the attached story The Use of Force, by William Carlos Williams (published 1938)
and in complete sentences, answer the following questions. If you need extra space, please ask
and I will happily give you extra paper.

Short Answer
1) Poe, in defining the form of the short story, said that there should be no word written that
does not lead the reader towards one single pre-determined effect. Does this story follow that
rule? What single effect do you think it is intended to have on readers? Provide support for your
answers. (5 points)
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Short Fiction
Final Exam

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2) We write and tell stories for a number of different reasons. What do you feel was the authors
purpose for writing this story? (What kind of story is this? Ex: Character Sketch, Moral Conflict,
A Statement on life?) Support your answer with evidence from the text. (5 points)
Remember: Stories may serve multiple purposes / have multiple interpretations. Give me
your interpretation.
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3) Which character is this story about Mathilda or the Doctor (narrator)? Explain and support
your answer. (3 points)
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Short Fiction
Final Exam

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4) Describe how (in what manner) the character of the Doctor (the narrator) is developed in the
story. How is this characteristic of modern short stories? (5 points)
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5) A major element of the short story form is that they begin in medias res (in the middle),
most often beginning and ending abruptly. Does this story really do this? Explain your answer?
(3 points)
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Short Fiction
Final Exam

Name:__________________________

6) This story is written without the use of quotation marks, and the dialogue is not distinguished
from the narrator's comments. Why do you think Williams chose to write this way? What effect
does this have on your reading of the story? Explain your answers thoroughly. (5 points)
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7) A singular, and easily contained plot is a key quality of the short story form. Unlike novels,
the plot in short stories is not always apparent and easily recognized. Do you consider this story
to have a plot? Why or why not? And if so, what is it? Back up your claim. (5 points)
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Short Fiction
Final Exam

Name:__________________________

8) Hemingways theory of omission (purposely leaving out parts of a story) had a major impact
on how short stories are written and emphasized the role of the reader in creating the meaning of
a story. Is this the case with this story? What role do you think the author intended the reader to
play in creating the meaning of the story? Support your claim (5 points)
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Short Fiction
Final Exam

Name:__________________________

TWIST Analysis
9) Complete a TWIST analysis of the story. For each category provide a thorough description
and quality textual references. (2 points each)
TWIST
TONE- writers
attitude
What is/are the authors
(or narrators) attitude(s)
toward what is
happening in the story?

Word Choiceconnotation and use of

language
How does the authors
use of language shape
your reading of the
story?

Imagery- the senses

What do you see, feel,
hear, smell, or taste
when reading the story?
What emotional
response(s) is/are
created?

Response

Textual Evidence

Short Fiction
Final Exam
Style- use of figurative
language and
repetition, rhyme,
rhythm, figures of
speech, dialect,
punctuationetc.
How is the story
written? What rules are
followed? Broken?
How does this influence
your experience of the
story (characters,
Setting, Plot, etc.)?
Theme- authors
insight about life
What theme stands out
to you most as you read?

Name:__________________________

Short Fiction
Final Exam

Name:__________________________

Extended Response
10) In the story, there is clearly a power struggle between the Doctor and Mathilda. In regards
to this:

What do you think it means to be Powerful and Powerless? (3 points)

Who do you feel has the power in this story? (3 points)
Is there a winner in this battle? Who and why? (3 points)

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