Short Story: John Henry Inquiry

 

1. Complete the Reading Comprehension assignment on our readings from the short story about John Henry in the "Assorted Readings" duo-tang.

 

2. Reflect on the songs, legends, and history of John Henry. Fill out the following chart:

 

Similarities

Differences

 

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3. Write a 500 word reflection (two sides of a page, double spaced) on the story of John Henry that answers the following questions:

Ø       What is the story of John Henry about?

Ø       What message does the story of John Henry relay to the audience?

Ø       Find and explain three themes in the story of John Henry.

Ø       How do each of the accounts of the legend (the short story, the musical portrayals, and the historical information) emphasize different things about John Henry? Why?

Ø       Why would the story of John Henry be told and retold in so many different ways by so many different people?

Ø       What is heroic about John Henry, and why is John Henry someone that we might do well to emulate in our own lives?

 

4. Reflection on the Story of John Henry: Write a two paragraph reflection on a time when you or someone you know has faced a challenge that seemed impossible to overcome, and succeeded.