Read four short stories, then answer following questions, no word requriment as long as the answers are corrects. (See attachment for short stories)

"Rara Avis by T.C. Boyle"

1. What does the title mean... not just in Latin, but who and what is "strange?" Explain why the boy narrator is wired?

"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings by Gabriel Garcia Marquez"

1. In your opinion how is the story a critique of Catholicism? (hint: the old man himself, or the quote "angel", explain)

"Ysrael by Junot Diaz"

1. Which of the brothers is more sympathetic? Why?

Optimists by Richard Ford

1. In what ways is the narrator reliable and unreliable?

2. What's the effect of "spoiling" the whole story on the first page? What's the point in reading if you already know what happens? What does this have to do with the style of (first person limited) narration?