What kind of figurative language is used and how does it affect the tone of the passage? Though very happy in the social atmosphere about her, and very busy with the daily work that earned her bread, and made it sweeter for the effort, Jo still found time for literary labors. The purpose which now took possession of her was a natural one to a poor and ambitious girl; but the means she took to gain her end were not the best. She saw that money conferred power: money and power, therefore, she resolved to have; not to be used for herself alone, but for those whom she loved more than self. 2 The dream of filling home with comforts, giving Beth everything she wanted, from strawberries in winter to a piano in her bedroom; going abroad herself, and always having more than enough, so that she might indulge in the luxury of charity, had been for years Jo’s most cherished castle in the air. 3 She took to writing sensation stories; for in those dark ages, even all-perfect America read rubbish. She told no one, but concocted a “thrilling tale,” and boldly carried it herself to Mr. Dashwood, editor of the “Weekly Volcano.” 4 “Excuse me, I was looking for the ‘Weekly Volcano’ office; I wished to see Mr. Dashwood.” 5 The gentleman advanced, with a nod, and a countenance expressive of nothing but sleep. Feeling that she must get through the matter somehow, Jo produced FIRST READ: Read the entire passage. Get the GIST. Characters. Setting. Plot. Characters: Setting: Plot: Theme/Central Idea: her manuscript, and, blushing redder and redder with each sentence, blundered out fragments of the little speech carefully prepared for the occasion. 6 “A friend of mine desired me to offer—a story—just as an experiment—would like your opinion—be glad to write more if this suits.” 7 While she blushed and blundered, Mr. Dashwood had taken the manuscript, and was turning over the leaves with a pair of rather dirty fingers, and casting critical glances up and down the neat pages. 8 “Not a first attempt, I take Though very happy in the social atmosphere about her, and very busy with the daily work that earned her bread, and made it sweeter for the effort, Jo still found time for literary labors. The purpose which now took possession of her was a natural one to a poor and ambitious girl; but the means she took to gain her end were not the best. She saw that money conferred power: money and power, therefore, she resolved to have; not to be used for herself alone, but for those whom she loved more than self.

2 The dream of filling home with comforts, giving Beth everything she wanted, from strawberries in winter to a piano in her bedroom; going abroad herself, and always having more than enough, so that she might indulge in the luxury of charity, had been for years Jo’s most cherished castle in the air.

3 She took to writing sensation stories; for in those dark ages, even all-perfect America read rubbish. She told no one, but concocted a “thrilling tale,” and boldly carried it herself to Mr. Dashwood, editor of the “Weekly Volcano.”

4 “Excuse me, I was looking for the ‘Weekly Volcano’ office; I wished to see Mr. Dashwood.”

5 The gentleman advanced, with a nod, and a countenance expressive of nothing but sleep. Feeling that she must get through the matter somehow, Jo produced
FIRST READ: Read the entire passage.
Get the GIST. Characters. Setting. Plot.
Characters:




Setting:



Plot:


Theme/Central Idea:
her manuscript, and, blushing redder and redder with each sentence, blundered out fragments of the little speech carefully prepared for the occasion.

6 “A friend of mine desired me to offer—a story—just as an experiment—would like your opinion—be glad to write more if this suits.”

7 While she blushed and blundered, Mr. Dashwood had taken the manuscript, and was turning over the leaves with a pair of rather dirty fingers, and casting critical glances up and down the neat pages.

8 “Not a first attempt, I take it?” observing that the pages were numbered, covered only on one side, and not tied up with a ribbon—a sure sign of a novice.

9 “No, sir; she has had some experience, and got a prize for a tale in the ‘Blarneystone Banner.’ ”

10 “Oh, did she?” and Mr. Dashwood gave Jo a quick look, which seemed to take note of everything she had on, from the bow in her bonnet to the buttons on her boots. “Well, you can leave it, if you like. We’ve more of this sort of thing on hand than we know what to do with at present; but I’ll run my eye over it, and give you an answer next week.”

11 Now, Jo did not like to leave it, for Mr. Dashwood didn’t suit her at all; but, under the circumstances, there was nothing for her to do but bow and walk away. It was perfectly evident that her little fiction of “my friend” was considered a good joke; and a laugh, produced by some inaudible remark of the editor, as he closed the door. Half resolving never to return, she went home,