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A Shot in the Light

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”A Shot in the Light”, group work: analysis and interpretation (30 minutes)

1) Characterisation: Characterise the two men in the story: the narrator and Ray. Use the following points to do so (read through all of them and use them in the order you please): a. What transformation have the two men undergone? Do they develop?
- They undergo the transformation of friendship and learn to trust each other.
Ray goes from being a mean and bad guy to stop trying to kill the narrator. b. Comment on the expression: “Why were you being so damn nice to me, man?”
- He wasn’t used to being treated as well as the stranger treated him. Ray came from an environment were he was treated badly and didn’t trust anyone. c. Explain the ending of the story – concentrate on the word “blessed”. Consider whether the narrator can be seen as a Jesus figure.
- Yes, he can be seen as a Jesus figure because he makes Ray a better person and forgives him for shooting him. He shows Ray the right way out of the criminality. He can see the good things in all people, and he didn’t die of the bullets. d. Do you think Ray will keep his promise? Why/why not?
- Yes because the narrator makes an impression on Ray that might keep him from harming others.

2) Theme/ message: Discuss which theme(s) you think is/ are the strongest in the short story and whether there is a clear message about the theme. e. Have a look at your notes from last time for ideas about themes (if you need it).
- Forgiveness, crime adjacent/violence, helpfulness, epiphany, trust. f. Another theme one might consider: The causes of violence/ crime?
- Poverty, abusive environments and isolation.

3) If you have time:
Setting: Describe the different settings of the story. g. Comment on the sense of isolation
-
h. The story begins in the Mojave Desert on the way between Los Angeles and Las Vegas in the American Southwest. Use the internet to find some facts about the geography of this region (climate, types of landscape, cityscape etc.)
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i. Las Vegas is generally known as ‘the city of sin’, and Los Angeles is ‘the city of angels’. Is that significant (important) to the story?

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