114 Chapter 3 The Heart of the Matter: Themes and Conclusions

Transcription

1 The Greek myth Baucis and Philemon appears on page 150 in Holt Literature and Language Arts. In that myth we learn how two old people are rewarded by the gods for their generosity. Now you will read another Greek myth. This one is about two young people, Atalanta (at lan t ) and Hippomenes (hi päm i n z). This myth, like the myth about Baucis and Philemon, ends with a metamorphosis (met môr f sis), a marvelous change in form. Notice that though one metamorphosis is a reward, the other is a dreadful punishment. Have you ever forgotten to thank someone? In the Greek myth Atalanta and Hippomenes, you ll see what happens when a young man forgets to thank a goddess of love for the help she gave him. Here s what you might want to know before you begin the story: Myths often teach important lessons about life. Venus is the goddess of love. Atalanta and Hippomenes are mortals, or humans. Reading Standard 3.6 Identify and analyze features of themes conveyed through characters, actions, and images. 114 Chapter 3 The Heart of the Matter: Themes and Conclusions

2 A Greek Myth Atalanta was a Greek maiden who could run faster than anyone on earth. She could outrun the winds, Boreas and Zephyr. Only Mercury, with his winged sandals, ran more swiftly. Besides being so fleet-footed, Atalanta was very beautiful, and many Greek youths from every part of the kingdom wished to marry her. But Atalanta did not wish to marry anyone and turned them all away, saying, I shall be the bride only of him who shall outrun me in the race, but death must be the penalty of all who try and fail. In spite of this hard condition there still were a few brave suitors willing to risk their lives for a chance of winning Atalanta. For one of the races the runners chose the youth Hippomenes for judge. Hippomenes felt both pity and scorn for the runners. He thought they were foolish to risk their lives, and bade them go home. He reminded them that the land was full of lovely maidens who were kinder and more gentle than Atalanta. But you have not yet seen Atalanta, said one of the suitors to Hippomenes. You do not know all her beauty and loveliness. See, she comes! Hippomenes looked, and saw Atalanta as she drew near. She laid aside her cloak and made ready for the race. Many names in Greek myths are difficult to pronounce. Zephyr will be easier to read if you remember that ph makes the f sound. Try breaking difficult names into syllables and sounding them out. For example, At/a/lan/ta or Hi/ppom/e/nes. Circle the words in the first two paragraphs that describe an important characteristic of Atalanta. suitors (sºt rz) n.: men who are courting, or wish to marry, a woman. scorn (skôrn) n.: feeling that someone or something is worthless, or not worthy of notice. Improve your fluency by reading the boxed passage aloud. Read it once slowly and carefully. Then, read it again, with more speed. Read it a third time, and add expression to the description of Atalanta. Atalanta and Hippomenes from A Child s Book of Myths and Enchantment Tales by Margaret Evans Price. Copyright 1924 by Rand McNally & Company; copyright renewed 1952 by Margaret Evans Price. Reprinted by permission of Lucy Eddins on behalf of the Estate of Margaret Evans Price. Atalanta and Hippomenes 115

3 envious (en v s) adj.: jealous; wanting something that someone else has. penalty (pen l t ) n.: punishment. Notes For a moment she stood poised like a graceful white bird about to fly. The suitors who stood beside her trembled with fear and eagerness. At a word from Hippomenes the runners were off, but at the first step Atalanta flew ahead. Her tunic fluttered behind her like a banner. Her hair, loosened from its ribbon, blew about her shoulders in bright waves. As she ran, Hippomenes thought her very beautiful and became envious of the runner who might win her. He shouted praises when she reached the goal far ahead of her poor suitors. Hippomenes forgot that the penalty of failure was death. He did not remember the advice he had given the other runners to go home and forget the loveliness of Atalanta. He knew only that he loved her and must himself race with her. Raising his head toward Mount Olympus, he prayed to Venus, the goddess of love, and asked her to help him. Atalanta and Hippomenes (detail) by Sebastiano Marsili (1572). Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. 116 Chapter 3 The Heart of the Matter: Themes and Conclusions

4 As he stood beside Atalanta, waiting for the signal for the race to start, Venus appeared to him and slipped three golden apples into his hands. Throw them one by one in Atalanta s path, whispered Venus. The goddess was invisible to everyone but Hippomenes. No one saw her as she gave him the apples, nor heard her as she told him what to do with them. Atalanta looked pityingly at the handsome youth as he stood ready to run. She was sorry for him, and for a moment she hesitated and almost wished that he might win the race. The signal was given, and Atalanta and Hippomenes flew swiftly over the sand. Atalanta was soon ahead, but Hippomenes, sending up a prayer to Venus, tossed one of his golden apples so that it fell directly in front of Atalanta. Astonished at the beautiful apple which seemed to fall from nowhere, she stooped to pick it up. That instant Hippomenes passed her, but Atalanta, holding the apple firmly in her hand, at once darted ahead. Again she outdistanced Hippomenes. Then he threw the second apple. Atalanta could not pass without picking it up, and then, because of the apple in her other hand, paused a moment longer. When she looked up, Hippomenes was far ahead. But gaining, she overtook and passed him. Then, just before she reached the goal, he threw the third apple. I can win easily, thought Atalanta, even though I stoop for this other apple. As she was already holding an apple in each hand, she paused just for an instant as she wondered how to grasp the third. What does Venus tell Hippomenes to do with the golden apples? stooped (stºpt) v.: bent over. Notes Atalanta and Hippomenes 117

5 Pause at line 78. In your own words, explain how Atalanta is tricked. Although Hippomenes wins the race, has he really outrun Atalanta? Explain That moment Hippomenes shot past, reaching the goal before Atalanta. Amid the wild shouts of those who watched, he wrapped the maiden s cloak around her shoulders and led her away. Hippomenes was so happy that he forgot to thank the goddess Venus, who followed them to the marriage feast. Invisible, she moved among the wedding guests. She saw Atalanta place the golden apples in a bowl of ivory and admire their beauty, but Hippomenes, in his delight, thought no more of the apples or of the goddess who had given them to him. Venus was angry with Hippomenes for being so thoughtless, and instead of blessing the lovers she caused them to be changed into a lion and a lioness, doomed forever to draw the chariot of Cybele, the mother of Jupiter, through the heavens and over the earth. Underline the word thoughtless in line 90, used to describe Hippomenes. What important theme in the myth is reflected in this word? Cybele (sib l ). 118 Chapter 3 The Heart of the Matter: Themes and Conclusions

6 Theme Complete the following If/Then Chart to see how the story s theme would differ if Atalanta or Hippomenes had acted differently. If Then Atalanta had... Hippomenes had... Metamorphosis A metamorphosis (met môr f sis) is a marvelous change in form. Greek myths are full of metamorphoses. What metamorphosis rewards Baucis and Philemon? What metamorphosis punishes Atalanta and Hippomenes? Personal Word List The names of several gods and goddesses are mentioned in Atalanta and Hippomenes. Write their names in your Personal Word List, and tell who they are. Personal Reading Log What did you think of the cruel ending of this myth? If you could change the ending, what would you want to happen? Write your response in your Personal Reading Log. Give yourself 2 points on the Reading Meter for completing this myth. Checklist for Standards Mastery Use the Checklist for Standards Mastery to determine your skill in identifying theme. Atalanta and Hippomenes 119

7 Atalanta and Hippomenes Interactive Reading, page 115 Interact with a Literary Text Word-and-Theme Diagram Use this word-and-theme diagram to record important ideas from Atalanta and Hippomenes. First, select several words from the myth you think are important. Then, explain how each word reveals a theme in the myth. Atalanta and Hippomenes Theme Theme Word Theme Word Word 120 Chapter 3 The Heart of the Matter: Themes and Conclusions

8 Build Independence Through Interactive Selections (Interactive Reading, pages ) Atalanta and Hippomenes page 115 Have students recall the Greek myth Baucis and Philemon. Ask volunteers to relate important themes from the myth of Baucis and Philemon. Then, tell them that they are going to read another Greek myth. Read the Greek Myth Study note and the Before You Read note aloud. Have students think about times when they neglected to express gratitude. Did their forgetfulness have consequences? For the Decoding note, you may want to add that, in general, the names of the characters in Greek myths are pronounced just as they are written. Pronounce the names of Hippomenes and Atalanta syllable by syllable. Read the first two paragraphs of Atalanta and Hippomenes aloud. Then have students read the Identify note. Ask students what words they would circle to describe Atalanta. Make sure they choose words such as: run faster, outrun the winds, swiftly, and fleet-footed. DIFFERENTIATING INSTRUCTION Atalanta and Hippomenes Learners Having Difficulty You may want to have struggling readers listen to the story, available in the Audio CD Library. Benchmark Students To develop fluency, have students take turns reading aloud. Try letting them decide how many words, sentences, or paragraphs they will read. Advanced Students Myths and folk tales were meant to be told orally. After the class has read the story, have advanced learners tell the story to learners who are having difficulty. TEACHER TO TEACHER Suggest to students that they not be thrown by words such as strategy or theme. Point out that when identifying theme, we are asking ourselves, What is this story trying to say? or What is this story really about? Have students read the rest of the myth independently while responding to the sidenotes in their books. After students read the Fluency passage, ask volunteers to mention one thing they noticed about their reading, such as a word they emphasized or a place they read faster or slower. Have students complete the If/Then Chart on Interactive Reading page 119 to further explore the theme. Photocopy and distribute the Most Important Word Web in Section Three of the Teacher s Edition. Have students record important words from the myth and analyze how these words provide clues to the theme. Make copies of the Word-and-Theme Diagram on Interactive Reading page 120 to use as an informal assessment. Use the Vocabulary Check and the Comprehension Check on Teacher s Edition pages 38 and 39 to evaluate mastery of the standards. READING OPTION Because there are numerous references to events that occurred in the past, the chronology in this myth might be confusing. You may wish to have students create a sequence chart as they read to help them put the story events in time order. Chapter 3 33

9 Name Class Date Atalanta and Hippomenes Interactive Reading, page 115 Reading Standard 1.2 in prose text. Vocabulary Check Identify and interpret figurative language Vocabulary Development suitors, noun scorn, noun envious, adjective penalty, noun stooped, verb men who are courting, or wish to marry, a woman feeling that someone or something is worthless, not worthy of notice jealous; wanting something that someone else has punishment bent over A. Words in Context Use words from the list above to complete the paragraph. Use each word only once. Atalanta had many (1) who wished to marry her, and they were all (2) of one another. Each one (3) before her, and asked for her hand. Atalanta, however, told them that anyone who could outrun her could marry her, but death would be the (4) for losing. Hippomenes felt nothing but (5) for any man who dared to race against her, but then he decided that he himself must do it. Had he known he would later be doomed, he might have thought twice. B. Figurative Language: Similes A simile is a comparison between two unlike things using the words like, as, than, or resembles. Circle the two things being compared in each simile below. Then rewrite each sentence, creating a different comparison. For example, for the first simile you might write For a moment she stood like a pine tree, still and tall. 1. For a moment Atalanta stood poised like a graceful white bird about to fly. 2. Atalanta s tunic fluttered behind her like a banner. Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. 38 Interactive Reading

10 Name Class Date Atalanta and Hippomenes Interactive Reading, page 115 Reading Standard 3.6 Identify and analyze features of themes conveyed through characters, actions, and images. Academic Vocabulary Comprehension Check theme protagonist antagonist truth about life revealed in a work of literature main character in a work of literature; the one who takes action to get something character who opposes the protagonist Copyright by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved. A. Circle the letter of the correct response to each item below. 1. The protagonist of this story is A Zeus C Hippomenes B Atalanta D Venus 2. The antagonist of this story is F Zeus H Hippomenes G Atalanta J Venus 3. Which theme is revealed through the actions of Hippomenes? A Dedication brings success. C Don t forget to thank those who help you. B Beauty is all that matters. D Love is worth dying for. 4. Which theme is revealed through the actions of Atalanta? F Distraction can have negative consequences. G Beauty is extremely important. H It is better to be alone than to be married. J Don t be tricked into eating red apples. B. Suppose this myth was told from the point of view of the goddess Venus. What might be different about the story? Chapter 3 39

11 Chapter 3 Practice Read: Walk a Mile in Someone Else s Shoes Vocabulary Check, page 36 A: 1. grief 2. inflexible 3. peered 4. smirked B: 1. (Students should circle or underline worked, like a microchip. ) I worked effectively and very fast. 2. (Students should circle or underline trying to save a sinking ship. ) He was trying to save a hopeless situation. 3. (Students should circle or underline climbed the ladder ) She had successfully moved up in her job. Comprehension Check, page 37 A: 1. A 2. H 3. C 4. G B: Students responses will vary. Sample response: Donnelle s mom and dad switched jobs for a week. Donnelle s dad took over at home, and her mom went to work for the newspaper. They did this experiment to see whose job was harder. Atalanta and Hippomenes Vocabulary Check, page 38 A: 1. suitors 2. envious 3. stooped 4. penalty 5. scorn B: 1. For a moment, she stood as still as a statue. 2. Her tunic rustled behind her like a flag. Myths in Our Lives and Word Origins Vocabulary Check, page 40 A: 1. ancient 2. essential 3. foundations 4. chaos 5. ritual B: 1. myths and mirrors 2. grandparents and oak trees Comprehension Check, page 41 A: 1. C 2. G 3. A 4. F B: Responses will vary. Strong answers that either agree or disagree with Bruchac will be firmly supported. Fabiano and Reyes Vocabulary Check, page 42 A: 1. confidante 2. enamored 3. derided 4. virtuous 5. consolation B: 1. a 2. c 3. b Comprehension Check, page 43 A: 1. A 2. F 3. A B: Responses will vary. Sample answer: I learned that you should never be quick to judge someone on how she looks. It s important to get to know someone, first. Comprehension Check, page 39 A: 1. C 2. G 3. C 4. F B: Venus would focus on Hippomenes and the fact that he forgot to thank her properly for her help. If she told the story, the theme of the importance of showing gratitude would be even more pronounced and important. 112 Interactive Reading: Teacher s Edition

12 Chapter 3 Pupil Pages The Greek myth Baucis and Philemon appears on page 150 in Holt Literature and Language Arts. In that myth we learn how two old people are rewarded by the gods for their generosity. Now you will read another Greek myth. This one is about two young people, Atalanta (at lan t ) and Hippomenes (hi päm i n z). This myth, like the myth about Baucis and Philemon, ends with a metamorphosis (met môr f sis), a marvelous change in form. Notice that though one metamorphosis is a reward, the other is a dreadful punishment. Have you ever forgotten to thank someone? In the Greek myth Atalanta and Hippomenes, you ll see what happens when a young man forgets to thank a goddess of love for the help she gave him. Here s what you might want to know before you begin the story: Myths often teach important lessons about life. Venus is the goddess of love. Atalanta and Hippomenes are mortals, or humans. 114 Chapter 3 The Heart of the Matter: Themes and Conclusions Reading Standard 3.6 Identify and analyze features of themes conveyed through characters, actions, and images A Greek Myth Atalanta was a Greek maiden who could run faster than anyone on earth. She could outrun the winds, Boreas and Zephyr. Only Mercury, with his winged sandals, ran more swiftly. Besides being so fleet-footed, Atalanta was very beautiful, and many Greek youths from every part of the kingdom wished to marry her. But Atalanta did not wish to marry anyone and turned them all away, saying, I shall be the bride only of him who shall outrun me in the race, but death must be the penalty of all who try and fail. In spite of this hard condition there still were a few brave suitors willing to risk their lives for a chance of winning Atalanta. For one of the races the runners chose the youth Hippomenes for judge. Hippomenes felt both pity and scorn for the runners. He thought they were foolish to risk their lives, and bade them go home. He reminded them that the land was full of lovely maidens who were kinder and more gentle than Atalanta. But you have not yet seen Atalanta, said one of the suitors to Hippomenes. You do not know all her beauty and loveliness. See, she comes! Hippomenes looked, and saw Atalanta as she drew near. She laid aside her cloak and made ready for the race. Atalanta and Hippomenes from A Child s Book of Myths and Enchantment Tales by Margaret Evans Price. Copyright 1924 by Rand McNally & Company; copyright renewed 1952 by Margaret Evans Price. Reprinted by permission of Lucy Eddins on behalf of the Estate of Margaret Evans Price. Many names in Greek myths are difficult to pronounce. Zephyr will be easier to read if you remember that ph makes the f sound. Try breaking difficult names into syllables and sounding them out. For example, At/a/lan/ta or Hi/ppom/e/nes. Circle the words in the first two paragraphs that describe an important characteristic of Atalanta. suitors (sºt rz) n.: men who are courting, or wish to marry, a woman. scorn (skôrn) n.: feeling that someone or something is worthless, or not worthy of notice. Improve your fluency by reading the boxed passage aloud. Read it once slowly and carefully. Then, read it again, with more speed. Read it a third time, and add expression to the description of Atalanta. Atalanta and Hippomenes 115 Pupil Pages with Answers 177

13 Chapter 3 Pupil Pages envious (en v s) adj.: jealous; wanting something that someone else has. penalty (pen l t ) n.: punishment. Notes For a moment she stood poised like a graceful white bird about to fly. The suitors who stood beside her trembled with fear and eagerness. At a word from Hippomenes the runners were off, but at the first step Atalanta flew ahead. Her tunic fluttered behind her like a banner. Her hair, loosened from its ribbon, blew about her shoulders in bright waves. As she ran, Hippomenes thought her very beautiful and became envious of the runner who might win her. He shouted praises when she reached the goal far ahead of her poor suitors. Hippomenes forgot that the penalty of failure was death. He did not remember the advice he had given the other runners to go home and forget the loveliness of Atalanta. He knew only that he loved her and must himself race with her. Raising his head toward Mount Olympus, he prayed to Venus, the goddess of love, and asked her to help him. Atalanta and Hippomenes (detail) by Sebastiano Marsili (1572). Palazzo Vecchio, Florence. 116 Chapter 3 The Heart of the Matter: Themes and Conclusions As he stood beside Atalanta, waiting for the signal for the race to start, Venus appeared to him and slipped three golden apples into his hands. Throw them one by one in Atalanta s path, whispered Venus. The goddess was invisible to everyone but Hippomenes. No one saw her as she gave him the apples, nor heard her as she told him what to do with them. Atalanta looked pityingly at the handsome youth as he stood ready to run. She was sorry for him, and for a moment she hesitated and almost wished that he might win the race. The signal was given, and Atalanta and Hippomenes flew swiftly over the sand. Atalanta was soon ahead, but Hippomenes, sending up a prayer to Venus, tossed one of his golden apples so that it fell directly in front of Atalanta. Astonished at the beautiful apple which seemed to fall from nowhere, she stooped to pick it up. That instant Hippomenes passed her, but Atalanta, holding the apple firmly in her hand, at once darted ahead. Again she outdistanced Hippomenes. Then he threw the second apple. Atalanta could not pass without picking it up, and then, because of the apple in her other hand, paused a moment longer. When she looked up, Hippomenes was far ahead. But gaining, she overtook and passed him. Then, just before she reached the goal, he threw the third apple. I can win easily, thought Atalanta, even though I stoop for this other apple. As she was already holding an apple in each hand, she paused just for an instant as she wondered how to grasp the third. What does Venus tell Hippomenes to do with the golden apples? She says he should throw them in Atalanta s path during the race. stooped (stºpt) v.: bent over. Notes Atalanta and Hippomenes Interactive Reading: Teacher s Edition

14 Chapter 3 Pupil Pages Pause at line 78. In your own words, explain how Atalanta is tricked. Suggested response: She stops to pick up two golden apples but cannot handle the third one, so Hippomenes passes her. Although Hippomenes wins the race, has he really outrun Atalanta? Explain. Suggested response: Atalanta is really faster; Hippomenes That moment Hippomenes shot past, reaching the goal before Atalanta. Amid the wild shouts of those who watched, he wrapped the maiden s cloak around her shoulders and led her away. Hippomenes was so happy that he forgot to thank the goddess Venus, who followed them to the marriage feast. Invisible, she moved among the wedding guests. She saw Atalanta place the golden apples in a bowl of ivory and admire their beauty, but Hippomenes, in his delight, thought no more of the apples or of the goddess who had given them to him. Venus was angry with Hippomenes for being so thoughtless, and instead of blessing the lovers she caused them to be changed into a lion and a lioness, doomed forever to draw the chariot of Cybele, the mother of Jupiter, through the heavens and over the earth. uses the apples to trick and distract her. Underline the word thoughtless in line 90, used to describe Hippomenes. What important theme in the myth is reflected in this word? Possible answers: People should express gratitude for the good things others do for them. Cybele (sib l ). 118 Chapter 3 The Heart of the Matter: Themes and Conclusions Theme Complete the following If/Then Chart to see how the story s theme would differ if Atalanta or Hippomenes had acted differently. If Then Atalanta had... Hippomenes had... Metamorphosis A metamorphosis (met môr f sis) is a marvelous change in form. Greek myths are full of metamorphoses. What metamorphosis rewards Baucis and Philemon? What metamorphosis punishes Atalanta and Hippomenes? After their deaths, Baucis and Philemon turned into entwined trees, together forever. But Atalanta and Hippomenes are changed into lions and forever doomed to draw the chariot of a goddess. Personal Word List The names of several gods and goddesses are mentioned in Atalanta and Hippomenes. Write their names in your Personal Word List, and tell who they are. Personal Reading Log What did you think of the cruel ending of this myth? If you could change the ending, what would you want to happen? Write your response in your Personal Reading Log. Give yourself 2 points on the Reading Meter for completing this myth. Checklist for Standards Mastery Use the Checklist for Standards Mastery to determine your skill in identifying theme. Atalanta and Hippomenes 119 Pupil Pages with Answers 179

15 Chapter 3 Pupil Pages Atalanta and Hippomenes Interactive Reading, page 115 Interact with a Literary Text Word-and-Theme Diagram Use this word-and-theme diagram to record important ideas from Atalanta and Hippomenes. First, select several words from the myth you think are important. Then, explain how each word reveals a theme in the myth. Example answers appear below. Atalanta and Hippomenes Theme Theme Love can make us lose our good sense. Thoughtlessness can have grave consequences. Word love Theme People are attracted to the beauty of others. Word thoughtless Word beauty 120 Chapter 3 The Heart of the Matter: Themes and Conclusions 10 Myths remain timeless for many reasons: (1) Their messages relate to all people everywhere; (2) the language of mythology is used in our daily lives; and (3) many words in the English language have their origins in Greek mythology. The selections you re about to read will give you some background about mythology and introduce you to some interesting word origins. Reading Standard 2.6 Determine the adequacy and appropriateness of an author s conclusions. Joseph Bruchac Myths Make Us Human Probably the first stories people ever told were myths stories that explain people s relationships with the gods and with the powers of creation. Myths are central to human experience. All over the world in Europe and Asia, in Australia and Africa, in North America and South America, on the many Pacific Islands we find great bodies of myths. Although the myths may differ greatly in their details, all of them explain how, long ago, things came to be. Polynesian people tell how the god Maui goes fishing and catches the Hawaiian Islands on his magical hook, pulling them up out of the deep. Lakota Indian people tell how life on earth began with Tunka-shila, Grandfather Rock, rising up out of fire to create dry land and clouds. The Greeks tell how, out of Chaos, Earth, and Sky were born. This article is divided into sections, introduced by headings. Underline each heading. Underline the definition of myth in the first paragraph. Underline the topic of the second paragraph. chaos (k äs) n.: disordered formless matter, supposed to have existed before the universe took its present orderly shape. In the selection, chaos is capitalized because it is personified as a living force. In ordinary usage, chaos is not capitalized. Myths in Our Lives / Word Origins Interactive Reading: Teacher s Edition