THE PASSING OF PRISCILLA WINTHROP
1. Does the title fit the story well? Why?
2. Notice the familiar, almost conversational style. Is it suited to the story? Why?
3. Show how the opening paragraph introduces the main idea of the story.
4. To make a story there must be a conflict of some sort. What is the conflict here?
5. How does the account of Julia Neal's career as a teacher (page 64) prepare for the ending of the story?
6. Do you have a clear picture in your mind of Mrs. Winthrop? Of Mrs. Worthington? Why did not the author tell about their personal appearance?
7. Point out humorous touches in the next to the last paragraph.
8. Is this story true to life? Who is the Priscilla Winthrop of your town?
9. What impression do you get of the man behind this story? Do you think he knew the people of his town well? Did he like them even while he laughed at them? What else can you say about him?
10. Other books of short stories dealing with life in a small town are: Pratt Portraits, by Anna Fuller; Old Chester Tales, by Margaret Deland; Stories of a Western Town, by Octave Thanet; In a Little Town, by Rupert Hughes; Folks Back Home, by Eugene Wood; Friendship Village, by Zona Gale; Bodbank, by Richard W. Child. Read one of these books, or a story from one, and compare it with this story.
11. In what ways does life in a small town differ from life in a large city?