Short+Story+Unit

//**Theme: "Surviving Conflict"**//

 * Story # 1: "The Sniper" by Liam O'Flaherty** - the story is available here online. (Watch for trojans on that site, maybe...)

Extra links of interest from Wikipedia ---> Article on the story "The Sniper" Article on the author, Liam O'Flaherty Article on the Irish Civil War

Further reading of interest: The Informer ... a short novel by Liam O'Flaherty, and also set in the aftermath of the Irish Civil War. Trivia Note: "The Informer" was made into a film in 1935, directed by famed Hollywood director John Ford - who also happened to be a cousin of Liam O'Flaherty.

//Liam O'Flaherty, 1896-1984.//


 * Story # 2: "The Bicycle" by Jillian Horton** - story unavailable online.

I was unable to find much information online about the author or this story. However, since we focused on the issue of parental/family pressures in relation to this story, here is a helpful link on the topic:
 * Teen Issues: How to Deal with Pressure from Parents**

In relation to the characters of Hannah and Tante Rose, we also learned a bit about the Jewish faith I also found this article about the History of Jews in Canada. It was quite an eye-opener for me, in terms of the extent of Anti-Semitism in Canada in the years leading up to World War II, which prevented many Jewish refugees from coming to Canada. It made me sad.

(a still frame from "//Everybody's Children//")
 * Immigration and Refugee issues in Canada** is still an ongoing topic of debate. I was reminded of this film - Everybody's Children - that I saw last year at the National Film Board downtown. It is available to view for FREE online. However, I will try to arrange for us to view it sometime at school, I'll just need to find a classroom with a working internet connection so we can view it streaming from the net. It's a really great documentary that you'll never forget.


 * Story # 3: "Dear Daddy" by Lee Maracle** - story unavailable online.

Extra links of interest ---> Wikipedia article on the author, Lee Maracle A list of Maracle's available books and collections Photo of Lee Maracle courtesy of First Nations House Magazine Maracle currently works at the University of Toronto and I am trying to make contact with her about a possible visit to see a lecture.