Read the following excerpt from "Rubiaux Rising".
Rubiaux awakes out of time. In pitch darkness. He scratches his leg where it isn't with his hand that is not there. The water level is now up over the stacked supports, soaking him a good inch. But it has stopped. Prayer has worked, if only partly. But there is something new in the darkness now — breathing, movement. Others. He keeps his own breath steady, feigning slumber, waiting for light to grow in the east.
When he slowly opens his eyes again an hour later he sees them — the unholy menagerie. All down the ledge, crowded near him in awkward proximity, are: a large king snake; two smaller water snakes; four fat nutria; a half-drowned feral cat and two shivering kittens; three pitiful brown rabbits; a soggy raccoon; a dozen Norwegian rats; a clot of huddled mice; along with a teeming mess of spiders, beetles, centipedes, and such. His eyes dart. Theirs do too. All seem to breathe in some strange unison. Waiting a move. Nobody is eating anybody this morning. They share the same fear and confusion — orphan brothers in the storm.
5 min Write: Consider how Rubiaux is "orphan brothers in the storm" with all of the insects and animals. Examine what themes De Jarnatt might be exploring here. **Whole Class Discussion.
1. Complete reading short story.
2. Write a character portrait of Rubiaux.
3. With a partner, discuss how two tragedies (War and Hurricane) dominate the narrative. 5 min: Share
4. Activity: Select any passage. Read to class. Explain why you chose it and the respective significance.
5. Discuss: What can we learn about characterization and setting from this story?
Short Term: Craft a narrative that focuses on one protagonist amidst a disaster. Be sure to incorporate internal and external conflict.
**Begin Draft.
