CHARACTER ANALYSIS AND

THE ROLES OF SCIENTISTS

"The Greatest Dying"

Directions

* Read the short story "The Greatest Dying".

* Working with a partner, complete the chart of characterisics for the three major characters, Reid Locke, Julius Paschelke, and Harry Austin.

* Give three important characteristics (personality traits, not physical traits) for each of the

three characters.

* Support your choice of each characteristic with either a quotation taken from the short story or an explanation in your own words. Remember when using quotations to use the proper punctuation marks.

* After analyzing these characters through this chart, with your partner answer the following questions in complete sentences. Be prepared to discuss your answers with other class members.

1. What are the major differences amongst the characters?

2. What do you think their major problems working together would have been?

3. What are their professional differences?

4. What seems to be the most important value to each character?

5. Who do you relate to the most? Explain.

* After the general discussion, you will reflect on the ideas of the short story in your journals. These response should be reflective so you are free to explore ideas in your writing. Put your ideas down as they come, letting one idea suggest another. Your goal is to learn what you think about these issues.

1. What are the different scientific roles represented in the story?

2. What is the responsibility of the scientist to reveal concerning his findings?

3. Should scientists be held accountable for the results of their discoveries, even when those results are unforeseen and unintended?

4. What connections can you make from this story to your own life, to other texts you've read, to movies you've seen, or to current events in the world?

5. Are all accidents in science detrimental to society? Can you give examples of some that were beneficial?