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Chapter Analysis
Intermediate8 pages • EnglishQuick Summary
The story 'The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse' by William Saroyan revolves around two Armenian boys, Aram and Mourad, from the Garoghlanian tribe. The tribe is known for its values of honesty, but Mourad's actions are contrary when he shows up with a beautiful white horse, which he invites Aram to ride. A conflict arises between their passion for horses and their legacy of integrity. Despite this, the eventual return of the horse to its rightful owner showcases a reconciliation between youthful adventure and deeply ingrained family values.
Key Topics
- •Cultural heritage and identity
- •Family values and integrity
- •Innocence versus experience
- •The conflict between tradition and desire
- •Character analysis of Mourad and Aram
- •Use of humor and absurdity
Learning Objectives
- ✓Understand the role of cultural and familial values in personal identity.
- ✓Analyze character motivations and their developments throughout a narrative.
- ✓Examine how setting and context influence character actions and themes.
- ✓Critically evaluate the use of humor as a literary device.
- ✓Discuss the impact of cultural heritage on moral dilemmas.
Questions in Chapter
You will probably agree that this story does not have breathless adventure and exciting action. Then what in your opinion makes it interesting?
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Did the boys return the horse because they were conscience-stricken or because they were afraid?
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The story begins in a mood of nostalgia. Can you narrate some incident from your childhood that might make an interesting story?
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Locate Armenia and Assyria on the atlas and prepare a write-up on the Garoghlanian tribes. You may write about people, their names, traits, geographical and economic features as suggested in the story.
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Additional Practice Questions
Discuss the role of cultural heritage in 'The Summer of the Beautiful White Horse.'
hardAnswer: Cultural heritage plays a crucial role in this story as it highlights the strong sense of identity and integrity within the Garoghlanian tribe, despite their circumstances. The boys' actions conflict with their cultural legacy but ultimately, they are bound by the tribal traditions of honesty, which guide their decision to return the horse.
Analyze the character of Mourad in the text. What do his actions and behavior suggest about his personality?
mediumAnswer: Mourad exhibits a strong love for adventure and horses, indicating a rebellious streak. His actions suggest a conflict between his whimsical nature and the ethical values he has inherited. Mourad's decision to return the horse demonstrates the underlying integrity and wisdom beyond his apparent eccentricity.
How does the author use humor in the story?
mediumAnswer: William Saroyan uses humor primarily through exaggerated situations and the eccentric behavior of Uncle Khosrove. His outbursts and dismissive attitude toward the loss of the horse create a comic relief that underscores the absurdity and depth of cultural values.
Examine the theme of innocence and experience as depicted in the story.
mediumAnswer: The story beautifully captures the juxtaposition of innocence and experience. Aram's innocence is depicted through his initial disbelief about the stolen horse. Mourad's experience, albeit with a hint of naivety, showcases a deeper understanding of right and wrong, leading ultimately to the decision to return the horse.
Evaluate the significance of the setting to the narrative.
mediumAnswer: The setting plays a significant role as it mirrors the characters' desires and conflicts. The pastoral backdrop provides a canvas for Mourad and Aram's adventures, symbolizing freedom. Simultaneously, the socio-economic conditions of the tribe highlight the tension between their cultural ideals and practical realities.