The Three-Century WomanSetting (Time and Place)

• The Three-Century Woman takes place at the Whispering Oaks Elder Care Facility in Grandma Breckenridge’s room.

• Throughout three centuries (1899, 1900’s, 2001)Major Characters Minor Characters

Grandma Breckenridge – has a sense of humor, has lived in three centuries, takes control, wears a pink bed jacket and bow in her hair, appears alert, very tinyMegan- narrator, 14 years old, enjoys shopping at the mall, doesn’t enjoy doing homework, loves her great-grandmotherMegan’s Mother- not afraid to say what is on her mind

TV anchor- abrasive, overbearing, wears expensive clothesThe Woman from the Glenview Weekly Shopper- hesitant, unprofessional

Point of View

1st person point of view- the story is told by Megan, the narrator, and she is a character in the story

The Three-Century WomanConflict

The conflict of The Three-Century Woman is person vs. person. Grandma lies because of the disregard the anchor has for her. Plot

Event 1- Megan and her mother are traveling to Whispering Oaks to visit Great-Grandma (242)Event 2- As they arrive, they are met by the media (244)Event 3- They all enter Grandma’s room and are surprised by her appearance (245)

Event 4- The interview begins (245)Event 5- Grandma realizes the anchor man wants a “big” story, so she begins to fabricate her story (246-247)Event 6- Grandma ends the interview. Megan has a new appreciation for her great-grandmother and give her a kiss on the cheek. (248)

Resolution

Grandma explains why she chose to misbehave, and makes a connection with Megan which helps to change Megan’s perception. Theme

You shouldn’t value or judge something or someone by their outward appearance only.

Charles

Setting (Time and Place)

• At Laurie’s home and school• Takes place before 1950Major Characters Minor Characters

Laurie- rude to adults, swaggering kindergartner, playful, sense of humor, creative, intrigued by CharlesCharles- rude to adults, bully, not very smart, uses profound language, bold, role model to Laurie

Mom- in denial, naïve, judgmental, curiousDad- cynical (distrustful), naïve, curious Teacher- too kind

Point of View

1st person point of view- the story is narrated by the mother who is also a character within the story.

CharlesConflict

Internal Laurie vs. Laurie- He knows what he is doing is wrong, but he continues to misbehave hoping to get attention or to get removed from school.External Laurie vs. Society- Laurie is not used to rules and regulations, so he has difficulty conforming to the strict classroom environment.Plot

Event 1- Laurie leaves for his first day of kindergarten (250)Event 2- Laurie comes home to introduce a troublemaker in school, Charles (251)Event 3- Charles becomes the classroom helper (253)

Event 4- Charles “returns” in the classroom when he makes a peer say “that”Event 5- Mom goes to the PTA meetingEvent 6- The teacher reveals that there is no Charles in kindergarten, and mom realizes that Laurie is Charles

Resolution

Not resolved. Author uses this technique to keep her readers thinking.

Theme

• Don’t be gullible or believe everything you hear• When you lie, you always stand a chance of getting caught