REFLECTIVE WRITING

13. Find the names of the events and places mentioned in the story. What do you know about them? What are they known for? Reflect on their meaning for the story. Choose one to characterize the author’s message in writing (50 + words).

14. Reread this entry from Teddy’s notebook. Reflect on the message in writing (100+ words).

Answer Professor Mandell’s letter when you get a chance and the patience. Ask him not to send me any more poetry books. I already have enough for 1 year anyway. I am quite sick of it anyway. A man walks along the beach and unfortunately gets hit in the head by a coconut. His head unfortunately cracks open in two halves. Then his wife comes along the beach singing a song and sees the 2 halves and recognizes them and picks them up. She gets very sad of course and cries heart breakingly. That is exactly where I am tired of poetry. Supposing the lady just picks up the 2 halves and shouts into them very angrily “Stop that!” Do not mention this when you answer his letter, however. It is quite controversial and Mrs. Mandell is a poet besides.

15. Write a diary entry (300+ words) in which you describe reading Salinger’s story as a spiritual experience.

THE ROCKING-HORSE WINNER

THINKING AHEAD

Some say childhood is a happy and carefree period in everybody’s life. All the anxieties and troubles are but skin-deep. But sometimes a child has to bear a burden that not every adult is capable of coping with. What happens then? The story you are going to read deals with such a situation. It also has its fair share of extraordinary things.

A WORD ABOUT THE AUTHOR

David Herbert Lawrence (1885—1930) is one of the most prolific British writers of the early 20th century. Particularly remembered for his ground-breaking psychological novels, he also wrote essays, letters, poems, plays, travel books and short stories. He was the fourth child in the family of the miner and ex-schoolteacher. His tempestuous relationship with his violent father and passionate bonding with his refined mother shaped much of his later work. His passionate love and extensive traveling inspired him to write numerous literary works.

PRE-READING ACTIVITIES

In small groups, discuss what luck is and whom we can consider really lucky?

Decide whether having an unusual gift is a curse or a blessing. Try to find arguments in support of your opinion.

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