Question

the oval portrait by edgar allan poe
name:
period: 6th
write the answers to these questions on this paper. make sure you answer the questions completely and provide support as needed.

1. what is the setting of the first part of the story?
2. what point of view is the story written in? what do you learn about the narrator? (why does his valet break in?)
3. what is the setting of the second story (the inner story)?
4. what is a conflict of the inner story (the painter and his wifes story)? identify the type and describe the two sides.
5. using the context of the sentence of the words identified and underlined, correctly match them to their definitions (which are provided).

a. extremely slight or gradual
b. stern or cold in appearance
c. face, the look on someone’s face
d. beginning to become apparent; come into being
e. unexpectedly, intensely emotional

1. ______ incipient: “in these paintings, my incipient delirium, perhaps, had caused me to take deep interest...”
2. ______ imperceptible: “... the arms, the bosom, and even the ends of the radiant hair melted imperceptibly into the vague yet deep shadow which formed the background...”
3. ______ countenance: “... nor the immortal beauty of the countenance...”
4. ______ vehemently: “... which had so suddenly and so vehemently moved me.”
5. ______ austere: “he, passionate, studious, austere, and having already a bride in his art... ”

Explanation:

1. The setting of the first - part of "The Oval Portrait" is a chateau (a large French country house or castle).
2. The story is written in third - person limited point of view. The narrator is a wounded man seeking shelter. His valet breaks in to find a place for him to rest.
3. The setting of the inner story is the painter's studio.
4. The conflict in the inner story is character vs self for both the painter and his wife. The painter is obsessed with his art and can't stop painting even as his wife is dying. The wife could have told him to stop but didn't.

5.

• "Incipient" means beginning to become apparent; come into being, so it matches d.
• "Imperceptible" means extremely slight or gradual, so it matches a.
• "Countenance" means face, the look on someone's face, so it matches c.
• "Vehemently" means unexpectedly, intensely emotional, so it matches e.
• "Austere" means stern or cold in appearance, so it matches b.

Answer:

1. The setting of the first part of the story is a chateau.
2. The story is written in third - person limited point of view. The narrator is a wounded person and his valet breaks in to find him a place to rest.
3. The setting of the second story (the inner story) is the painter's studio.
4. The conflict in the inner story is character vs self for both the painter and his wife. The painter is obsessed with art and can't stop, and the wife doesn't stop him despite her deteriorating condition.

5.

1. d
2. a
3. c
4. e
5. b