"Rattlesnakes" by John Muir
Pre-Reading:
Why might a human find a wild animal threatening?
A human might find a wild animal threatening because the animal is poisonous, carnivorous, unknown, or uwanted. They could also have a phobia.
Why might a wild animal find a human threatening?
A wild animal might find a human threatening because the human might have a weapon, be larger than the animal, or just plain on their path.
What do you know about rattlesnakes?
I know that rattlesnakes are piosonous, but that they won't attack unless they feel threatened.
Given what you know, how would you react if you encountered a rattlesnake in the wild?
Given what I know I would stay far away from the snake, or ifitwas coming towards me I would stay still and not try to kill it.
What do you know about John Muir?
I know that he was born in 1838 and died in 1914, I also know that he was married to Louisa Strentzel and had two daughters, only one of his granddaughters was still alive in 2012.
Include an image/caption of John Muir. Include an image/caption of a rattlesnake.
Why might a human find a wild animal threatening?
A human might find a wild animal threatening because the animal is poisonous, carnivorous, unknown, or uwanted. They could also have a phobia.
Why might a wild animal find a human threatening?
A wild animal might find a human threatening because the human might have a weapon, be larger than the animal, or just plain on their path.
What do you know about rattlesnakes?
I know that rattlesnakes are piosonous, but that they won't attack unless they feel threatened.
Given what you know, how would you react if you encountered a rattlesnake in the wild?
Given what I know I would stay far away from the snake, or ifitwas coming towards me I would stay still and not try to kill it.
What do you know about John Muir?
I know that he was born in 1838 and died in 1914, I also know that he was married to Louisa Strentzel and had two daughters, only one of his granddaughters was still alive in 2012.
Include an image/caption of John Muir. Include an image/caption of a rattlesnake.
Interpretive Questions:
1.) Why does Muir learn to respect rattlesnakes after he kills two?
Muir "learned to respect rattlesnakes"(p. 175) after he killed two because he learnedthat they only act in self defense and mainly not offense.
2.) Why does Muir say that at one time he “imagined that rattlesnakes should be killed wherever found”? (p. 175)
Muir says that at one time he “imagined that rattlesnakes should be killed wherever found”(p. 175) because that is what he thought at the time.
3.) Why, after killing the first snake, does Muir say he feels “degraded by the killing business”? (p. 176)
Muir says he feels “degraded by the killing business”(p. 176) after killing the first snake because he knew it's death could have been avoided.
4.) Why does Muir feel “sore and guilty” about killing the snake he finds in his cabin? (p. 176)
Muir feel “sore and guilty”(p. 176) about killing the snake he finds in his cabin because he knew this snake's death could have been avoided too.
5.) Why does Muir explain his decision to encamp on a boulder rather than on the patch of flood-sand where he finds two snakes?
Muir explain his decision to encamp on a boulder rather than on the patch of flood-sand where he finds two snakes because he doesn't want any of the snakes to "get stepped on"(p. 178).
6.) Why does Muir use human characteristics and feelings to describe snakes?
Muir used human characteristics and feelings to describe snakes because he thinks that since other animalshave feelings why not snakes.
7.) Why does Muir describe snakes as “fair and charitable”? (p. 176)
Muir describes snakes as “fair and charitable"(p. 176) because he knowsthat they can judge harmful and not harmful.
8.) Why does Muir see the second rattlesnake as “desperately embarrassed”? (p. 176)
Muir see the second rattlesnake as “desperately embarrassed"(p. 176) because he can tell that the snake knows that he has not place here and doesn't belong.
9.) Why does Muir say, “I have looked into the eyes of so many wild animals that I feel sure I did not mistake the feelings of this unfortunate snake”? (p. 177)
Muir says, “I have looked into the eyes of so many wild animals that I feel sure I did not mistake the feelings of this unfortunate snake"(p. 177) because he can tell what the one snake is feeling at the moment.
10.) Why does Muir describe the snake he accidentally threw his bundle of bread on as having a “come-in-if-you-dare expression”? (p. 178)
Muir describe the snake he accidentally threw his bundle of bread on as having a “come-in-if-you-dare expression”? (p. 178) because its probably mad at him for throwing the bag on top of him.
1.) Why does Muir learn to respect rattlesnakes after he kills two?
Muir "learned to respect rattlesnakes"(p. 175) after he killed two because he learnedthat they only act in self defense and mainly not offense.
2.) Why does Muir say that at one time he “imagined that rattlesnakes should be killed wherever found”? (p. 175)
Muir says that at one time he “imagined that rattlesnakes should be killed wherever found”(p. 175) because that is what he thought at the time.
3.) Why, after killing the first snake, does Muir say he feels “degraded by the killing business”? (p. 176)
Muir says he feels “degraded by the killing business”(p. 176) after killing the first snake because he knew it's death could have been avoided.
4.) Why does Muir feel “sore and guilty” about killing the snake he finds in his cabin? (p. 176)
Muir feel “sore and guilty”(p. 176) about killing the snake he finds in his cabin because he knew this snake's death could have been avoided too.
5.) Why does Muir explain his decision to encamp on a boulder rather than on the patch of flood-sand where he finds two snakes?
Muir explain his decision to encamp on a boulder rather than on the patch of flood-sand where he finds two snakes because he doesn't want any of the snakes to "get stepped on"(p. 178).
6.) Why does Muir use human characteristics and feelings to describe snakes?
Muir used human characteristics and feelings to describe snakes because he thinks that since other animalshave feelings why not snakes.
7.) Why does Muir describe snakes as “fair and charitable”? (p. 176)
Muir describes snakes as “fair and charitable"(p. 176) because he knowsthat they can judge harmful and not harmful.
8.) Why does Muir see the second rattlesnake as “desperately embarrassed”? (p. 176)
Muir see the second rattlesnake as “desperately embarrassed"(p. 176) because he can tell that the snake knows that he has not place here and doesn't belong.
9.) Why does Muir say, “I have looked into the eyes of so many wild animals that I feel sure I did not mistake the feelings of this unfortunate snake”? (p. 177)
Muir says, “I have looked into the eyes of so many wild animals that I feel sure I did not mistake the feelings of this unfortunate snake"(p. 177) because he can tell what the one snake is feeling at the moment.
10.) Why does Muir describe the snake he accidentally threw his bundle of bread on as having a “come-in-if-you-dare expression”? (p. 178)
Muir describe the snake he accidentally threw his bundle of bread on as having a “come-in-if-you-dare expression”? (p. 178) because its probably mad at him for throwing the bag on top of him.
Vocabulary:
1.) Venomous (p. 175)
Quote: "Only the rattlesnake is venomous"(p. 175)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): poisonous
Synonym: vicious
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Poison dart frogs are venomous.
2.) Persecuted (p. 176)
Quote: "Persecuted, tormented, again and again"(p. 176)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): torment
Synonym: torture
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): She persecuted the ants.
3.) Degraded (p. 176)
Quote: "I felt degraded by the killing business"(p. 176)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): disgraced
Synonym: debased
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): He was degraded in the fall.
4.) Intentionally (p. 177)
Quote: "I have never intentionally disturbed them"(p. 177)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): on purpose
Synonym: deliberately
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): They intentionally eavesdropped on us.
5.) Provocation (p. 177)
Quote: "even with this provocation"(p. 177)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): incitement
Synonym: harassment
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Their provocation should have stopped a long time ago.
6.) Righteous indignation (p. 178)
Quote: "with an air of righteous indignation"(p. 178)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): good anger
Synonym: noble rage
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): She acted full of righteous indignation.
1.) Venomous (p. 175)
Quote: "Only the rattlesnake is venomous"(p. 175)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): poisonous
Synonym: vicious
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Poison dart frogs are venomous.
2.) Persecuted (p. 176)
Quote: "Persecuted, tormented, again and again"(p. 176)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): torment
Synonym: torture
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): She persecuted the ants.
3.) Degraded (p. 176)
Quote: "I felt degraded by the killing business"(p. 176)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): disgraced
Synonym: debased
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): He was degraded in the fall.
4.) Intentionally (p. 177)
Quote: "I have never intentionally disturbed them"(p. 177)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): on purpose
Synonym: deliberately
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): They intentionally eavesdropped on us.
5.) Provocation (p. 177)
Quote: "even with this provocation"(p. 177)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): incitement
Synonym: harassment
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): Their provocation should have stopped a long time ago.
6.) Righteous indignation (p. 178)
Quote: "with an air of righteous indignation"(p. 178)
Definition (based on context/in your own words): good anger
Synonym: noble rage
Sentence (underline the vocabulary word): She acted full of righteous indignation.
Thinking Map:
Use textual evidence to show examples of when the narrator feels certain about something and when the narrator feels uncertain about something. Include 5 examples and support with page numbers and opinion for each column.
Use textual evidence to show examples of when the narrator feels certain about something and when the narrator feels uncertain about something. Include 5 examples and support with page numbers and opinion for each column.
You are CONVINCED by what the author says
|
You ARE NOT CONVINCED by what the author says
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