7.2 Short Story Observation Chart: "Brother Dear"

Consider "Brother Dear" in light of the essential question:

How important is it to pursue our passions?

As children, we are determined to “do what we want, when we want.” This question, however, asks you to move further. How important is it to pursue a career and relationships that develop your interests and support your values?

Go to the Worksheet tab to download the 7.2 Observations Chart for "Brother Dear".

Note:  You will not submit your assignment yet.  After you complete the next short story observation chart, you will be prompted to hand in both charts for assessment.

To help you monitor your observations while you study this short story, you will record and consider your observations in the following categories:

What?	In this category, you need to show that you have been attentive to the ideas and composition of this text. You will choose examples that are particularly significant to the main idea(s) the author develops in this text. Try to move beyond summarizing what you see. Ask yourself questions about why the text unfolds as it does. Consider the following: In your opinion, what is the author’s purpose for creating this text? What is this text really about? What visual elements support the main idea for this text?
So What?	Connect personally to the main idea(s). How has this text affected you?  If you cannot relate using an experience from your life, do you have a friend or a family member who has had a comparable experience?  You can also try comparing this text to another text you have studied. The purpose of making this connection is to have you consider another perspective. It is another way to interpret and to attempt to understand the ideas at the heart of the text and the influence those ideas can have on your life.
Now What?	Look beyond this text and your own experience. Consider how the author’s ideas are relevant on a universal level.  You should be looking beyond the literature here and not referring to the text. In what ways do the author’s ideas reflect on the world today? Are the issues important, not only to the author and to you personally, but to all people? If so, in what way are they important?