Story Analysis

Once upon a time a psychology professor walked around on a stage while teaching stress management principles to an auditorium filled with students. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they'd be asked the typical "glass half empty or glass half full" question. Instead, with a smile on her face, the professor asked, "How heavy is this glass of water I'm holding?"

Students shouted out answers ranging from eight ounces to a couple pounds.

She replied, "From my perspective, the absolute weight of this glass doesn't make any difference. It all depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute or two, it's fairly light. If I hold it for an hour straight, its weight will make my arm ache a little. If I hold it for a day straight, my arm will likely cramp up and feel completely numb and paralyzed, forcing me to drop the glass to the floor. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn't change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it feels to me."

As the class shook their heads in agreement, she continued, "Your stresses and worries in life are very much like this glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and you begin to ache a little. Think about them all day long, and you will feel completely numb and paralyzed - incapable of doing anything else until you drop them."

Please answer these questions:

1) Who is the narrator of this story? And, what is the point of view? (Meaning- First or third person? Observing or participatory?)

2) What is the text saying? (Meaning- Is there a specific theme, lesson, or message?) And, what was the author's intention in writing this text?)

3) If there is only one voice or narrator, what is that persona's attitude/tone and/or feelings? If there are other characters in this story, what are their personalities and how do they feel about each other?

4) Where and when does the story take place? (Meaning- Location? Time period? Season? Time of day?)

5) Who is the narrator talking to? (Meaning- Who is the intended audience of this story?)