Sample Calendar: August
Week 1: Older Readers
"The Lady or the Tiger"
by Frank Stockton
Discussion Questions
Does the story’s "arena method" represent a genuine, impartial form of justice, or is it fundamentally a mechanism for royal entertainment?
Can a system based entirely on chance—where the accused picks their own outcome—be considered truly equitable, as the narrator ironically suggests?
Is the moral outcome of the trial solely the responsibility of the person making the choice in the arena, or does the king share that burden?
Based on her internal conflict, which emotion appears to be more dominant in the princess: her intense affection for the courtier or her deep jealousy of her rival?
If one claims to love another, does that love obligate them to prioritize the other’s life over their own jealousy?
Does the scenario present a "loving" choice as one that desires a partner’s survival at any cost, or one that prefers death over losing them to another?
Why does the young man trust the princess’s signal implicitly? Does this action reflect blind faith in her love or a pragmatic recognition of her control over the situation?
How does the "semi-barbaric" upbringing of the princess influence her final decision? Does her high status make her actions more calculating?
How does the princess’s hatred of the lady behind the door shape the psychological pressure she faces when deciding her lover's fate?
Why did the author utilize an ambiguous ending? How would the story's overall message change if the outcome were definitively revealed?
Does the narrative ultimately suggest that human actions are driven by rational thought or by uncontrollable emotional impulses?
Why does the narrator shift the ultimate judgment of the story onto the reader, rather than providing a definitive conclusion?
"The Necklace" by Guy de Maupassant
Week 2: Older Readers
Mathilde isn’t destitute, yet she feels "born for all delicacies and luxuries." What specifically about her daily life causes her the most internal conflict?
Evaluate Monsieur Loisel’s role. Does his willingness to sacrifice his own savings and comfort make him a hero, or is he complicit in his wife’s downfall?
Contrast Mathilde’s personality at the ball with her personality after ten years of labor. Has she gained any wisdom, or only resentment?
Why did the couple choose to deceive Madame Forestier rather than tell the truth? Discuss how their "honor" ironically led to their ruin.
Identify the moment where the story shifts from a social drama to a tragedy. Could the outcome have been avoided by a single conversation?
How does the revelation that the necklace was fake recontextualize the ten years of suffering? Does it make the Loisels’ sacrifice noble or entirely absurd?
How does the "paste" (fake) necklace serve as a metaphor for the high-society life Mathilde so desperately wanted to join?
Is this story a critique of a rigid class system, or is it a cautionary tale about the personal flaws of vanity and pride?
If Mathilde lived today, how might her "unhappiness" manifest on platforms like Instagram or TikTok?
Beyond the financial cost, what was the emotional cost of the Loisels' secret?
Discussion Questions
Does Montresor ever detail the actual "thousand injuries" he claims to have suffered? Based on his lack of specifics, do you find his revenge rational?
In what way does Montresor’s clever manipulation of his house staff prove he is a master of reverse psychology?
Does Fortunato’s behavior make him a victim you feel sorry for, or does his arrogance make his fate feel inevitable?
How does Montresor weaponize Fortunato’s vanity as a wine connoisseur to lead him into the trap?
What is the irony in Fortunato wearing a "fool’s" outfit while being systematically tricked?
In what ways do the physical descriptions of the niter and skeletons contribute to the reader's growing sense of dread?
How does the Montresor coat of arms and family slogan foreshadow the story’s gruesome conclusion?
Compare the two meanings of "Mason" used in the story—the secret society versus the literal bricklayer. How does this wordplay signal Fortunato's doom?
Find moments where Fortunato says something that has a double meaning for the reader but not for him. How does this "hidden knowledge" affect the reader?
Look closely at the very last lines of the story. Do you detect a note of guilt, or is Montresor simply satisfied with his work?
By the end of the tale, would you define this as a successful "perfect murder," or has the secret weighed too heavily on the narrator?
Is Montresor a "truth-teller"? Point to specific moments where his bias might be clouding the facts of the event.
How do the concepts of social standing and family honor drive the plot forward?
If Montresor had modern legal or social avenues for mediation, do you think he would have still chosen such a permanent solution?
How does the physical act of "immurement" (walling someone in) serve as a metaphor for Montresor’s own psychological state?
If this crime occurred in the 21st century, what modern technology (like cell phones or forensics) would make Montresor’s plan impossible?
"The Cask of Amontillado" by Edgar Allan Poe
Week 3: Older Readers
Discussion Questions
"The Open Window" by Saki
Week 4: Older Readers
What hint do the character’s names give about their personalities?
In what ways does the character of Vera exemplify both verbal and situational irony in the story?
Why does Vera choose to spin this sort of tale? Is she merely bored, or is she malicious?
Why does Framton Nuttel believe Vera’s story so readily? What does he expect from a young woman of her social class, and how does she use that to her advantage?
How does Saki use characterization to fool the reader, and at what point did you realize you had been tricked, just like Nuttel?
How does Vera's composure and creativity show her intelligence, and why is her "romance at short notice" considered her specialty?
What is the central message of the story regarding Deception vs. Reality? How does Vera's ability to invent a detailed story blur the boundary between the two?
What are some of the symbols in the story, particularly the window itself? How does it change from a symbol of grief to a symbol of deceit?
How does the last line of the story change your impression of Vera? Describe the three types of irony (verbal, dramatic, and situational) in the story.
How does Saki satirize British society of his time through the characters of Framton and Mrs. Sappleton?
Is "The Open Window" the best title for the story? How does the title affect the conclusion?
What is the climax of the story, and how is it achieved?
How does the author build suspense around the story's central conflict?
Is the ending of the story happy, unhappy, or indeterminate? Why?
How would the story be different if it were told from the girl's perspective? How would it change if told from Framton ’s?
How does "The Open Window" relate to the fable of “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”?
Framton is seeking a "nerve cure." What does this suggest about his mental state, and how does the rural setting impact his anxiety?
If this story were set in the present day, how might the story change? Would Vera's story be as effective