Title: Exploring “The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin

Grade Level: 9th-12th grade

Objective: - Analyze the short story “The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin to understand its themes, literary devices, and character development. - Develop critical thinking skills by discussing the story’s implications and exploring alternative perspectives. - Enhance writing skills by composing a creative response or an alternate ending to the story.

Materials: - Copies of “The Wife’s Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin - Whiteboard or blackboard - Markers or chalk - Chart paper - Writing materials

Procedure:

1. Introduction (10 minutes) a. Begin the lesson by asking students if they are familiar with the author Ursula K. Le Guin and her works. b. Provide a brief background on Le Guin and her contributions to science fiction and fantasy literature. c. Introduce the short story “The Wife’s Story” and its themes of transformation, identity, and the power of nature.

2. Pre-reading Activity (10 minutes) a. Divide the class into small groups and distribute copies of the short story. b. Ask students to read the title and make predictions about the story’s content and possible conflicts. c. Have each group share their predictions and discuss their reasoning.

3. Reading and Analysis (30 minutes) a. Instruct students to read the short story silently, paying attention to the narrator’s perspective and the development of the plot. b. After reading, facilitate a class discussion using the following guiding questions:
   • How does the author use language and imagery to create a sense of suspense and mystery?
   • What is the significance of the narrator’s transformation and its impact on the story?
   • How does the story explore themes of identity and the power of nature?
   • What are some possible interpretations of the ending?

4. Literary Devices (15 minutes) a. Create a chart on the board with two columns: “Literary Devices” and “Examples from the Story.” b. Ask students to identify and discuss various literary devices used in “The Wife’s Story,” such as foreshadowing, symbolism, and personification. c. Record their responses on the chart paper, encouraging students to provide specific examples from the text.

5. Alternative Perspectives (20 minutes) a. Divide the class into pairs or small groups. b. Assign each group a specific character from the story (e.g., the wife, the husband, the dog) and ask them to discuss the events from that character’s perspective. c. Have each group present their findings, highlighting the different interpretations and motivations of each character.

6. Creative Writing (20 minutes) a. Instruct students to imagine an alternate ending to the story or to write a creative response from the perspective of another character. b. Encourage them to consider the implications of their chosen ending or perspective and how it would affect the overall narrative. c. Allow students to share their writing with the class, if they feel comfortable doing so.

7. Conclusion (5 minutes) a. Recap the main themes and literary devices explored in “The Wife’s Story.” b. Discuss the importance of considering alternative perspectives and interpretations in literature. c. Encourage students to continue exploring the works of Ursula K. Le Guin and other authors who challenge traditional narratives.

Note: The duration of each activity can be adjusted based on the class’s pace and needs.