Superstitions
By
Mary La Chapelle
•born on April 28, 1955
•teaches at Sarah Lawrence college
•graduated from University of Minnesota
•won the Whiting Writers' Award in 1988
•other books were "House of Heroes"
•teaches at Sarah Lawrence college
•graduated from University of Minnesota
•won the Whiting Writers' Award in 1988
•other books were "House of Heroes"
Prereading Reflection
What does it mean to be superstitious? Give an example. To be superstitious means to be paranoid about what the result of an action is going to be. Wearing the same underwear for a week.
Do you consider yourself superstitious? Yes, I consider myself superstitious.
If yes, what are some superstitions you have, and why do you think you have them? Wearing the number 42 when playing baseball. Wearing the same underwear for a week.
Why do you think people develop superstitions? People might be scared of what can happen.
Do you consider yourself superstitious? Yes, I consider myself superstitious.
If yes, what are some superstitions you have, and why do you think you have them? Wearing the number 42 when playing baseball. Wearing the same underwear for a week.
Why do you think people develop superstitions? People might be scared of what can happen.
Vocabulary
Theorized
Definition: guess, predict
Quote: "He theorized that little kids who got in from the top and out from the top never had to make their beds." (p.42)
Apprehensive
Definition: cautious
Quote: "She was apprehensive as she brushed on toward the attic, because if she were to find it had been left open, it would be a bad sign that she couldn't change." (p.42)
Compelled
Definition: had to do it
Quote: "It was something she had begun, and now she was compelled to continue." (p.43)
Persistent
Definition: keep on going
Quote: "The sun was warm and persistent with promises to shine over everything by noon." (p.54)
Precautions
Definition: to be aware
Quote: "She was aware of certain precautions, like not looking into the sun too long." (p.54)
Perceived
Definition: become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses
Quote: "After waiting for what she perceived as a stubborn enough amount of time, she stood up and followed him." (p.56)
Anguish
Definition: excruciating or acute distress, suffering, or pain
Quote: "Groggy, the cautious now, Jimmy cried like a wounded soldier, all anguish and failure in something he didn't understand." (p.60)
Definition: guess, predict
Quote: "He theorized that little kids who got in from the top and out from the top never had to make their beds." (p.42)
Apprehensive
Definition: cautious
Quote: "She was apprehensive as she brushed on toward the attic, because if she were to find it had been left open, it would be a bad sign that she couldn't change." (p.42)
Compelled
Definition: had to do it
Quote: "It was something she had begun, and now she was compelled to continue." (p.43)
Persistent
Definition: keep on going
Quote: "The sun was warm and persistent with promises to shine over everything by noon." (p.54)
Precautions
Definition: to be aware
Quote: "She was aware of certain precautions, like not looking into the sun too long." (p.54)
Perceived
Definition: become aware of, know, or identify by means of the senses
Quote: "After waiting for what she perceived as a stubborn enough amount of time, she stood up and followed him." (p.56)
Anguish
Definition: excruciating or acute distress, suffering, or pain
Quote: "Groggy, the cautious now, Jimmy cried like a wounded soldier, all anguish and failure in something he didn't understand." (p.60)
Contrasting Ideas
Frances feels STRONG
•when she helps her brother do stuff •when she notices Jimmy is about to have a seizure •when she is cautious •when she plays with Jimmy •when she takes care of him |
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Superstitions Around the World
A superstition is a belief of someone that can give them bad luck. Some superstitions of me are that if I don't wear the same underwear for at least 4 days before a game, we will win, I know what you think, I'm very weird. Not everyone has a superstition, but here are some superstitions that will give you bad luck: walking under a ladder, spilling salt, opening an umbrella indoors, Friday The 13th, breaking a mirror, and black cats. Around the world are many other superstitions. In Mexico, many people in Mexico will put holy water by the front door. It is believed that it will protect the house from bad spirits and bad people. Other people put up a horseshoe to bring good luck for their homes. In Spain, spilling wine is bad luck because it is thought to be related to the fetus as it begins life with the earlobe. Another superstition is if you put a hat on a bed will make your mind go blank. In Africa, if you dream fish, someone will have baby, the first year of life, don’t cut a baby’s hair. Don't allow children to sweep the floor, because they will invite unwanted guests. In China, if one hits another person with a broom, the hitter will get bad luck and he will ruin his life, if a baby cries for no reason, the Chinese believe that there are ghosts around and the child is disturbed by the ghosts. The Chinese believe that clipping toe-nails or finger-nails at night would bring ghosts to that place. In Russia, an evil eye will bring someone bad luck so they either spit on or touch wood to get rid of the bad luck. It is also bad luck if you carry an empty bucket around, don't put money into someone's hands because a taxi driver or shop assistant might decline when you try to hand them your money, and ask you to put it on the vehicle’s dashboard or in a special tray next to the till. In conclusion, superstitions are all around the world, some are different and some are the same.
A superstition is a belief of someone that can give them bad luck. Some superstitions of me are that if I don't wear the same underwear for at least 4 days before a game, we will win, I know what you think, I'm very weird. Not everyone has a superstition, but here are some superstitions that will give you bad luck: walking under a ladder, spilling salt, opening an umbrella indoors, Friday The 13th, breaking a mirror, and black cats. Around the world are many other superstitions. In Mexico, many people in Mexico will put holy water by the front door. It is believed that it will protect the house from bad spirits and bad people. Other people put up a horseshoe to bring good luck for their homes. In Spain, spilling wine is bad luck because it is thought to be related to the fetus as it begins life with the earlobe. Another superstition is if you put a hat on a bed will make your mind go blank. In Africa, if you dream fish, someone will have baby, the first year of life, don’t cut a baby’s hair. Don't allow children to sweep the floor, because they will invite unwanted guests. In China, if one hits another person with a broom, the hitter will get bad luck and he will ruin his life, if a baby cries for no reason, the Chinese believe that there are ghosts around and the child is disturbed by the ghosts. The Chinese believe that clipping toe-nails or finger-nails at night would bring ghosts to that place. In Russia, an evil eye will bring someone bad luck so they either spit on or touch wood to get rid of the bad luck. It is also bad luck if you carry an empty bucket around, don't put money into someone's hands because a taxi driver or shop assistant might decline when you try to hand them your money, and ask you to put it on the vehicle’s dashboard or in a special tray next to the till. In conclusion, superstitions are all around the world, some are different and some are the same.