the end of the party

THE END OF THE PARTY by Graham Greene (1904-1991) GENRE Short Story KEYWORDS Children, Death and Dying, Empathy, Family Relationships, Hysteria, Psychosomatic Medicine, Trauma SUMMARY This story is narrated by a young boy who is observing his twin brother, Francis, as he expresses his extreme fear of the dark. Francis tries hard to avoid attending a children's party because he knows the plan is to play hide-and-seek in the dark. He pretends to have a cold, tells his parents and his nanny that he does not want to go, but is forced to attend anyway. When the lights are turned out for this game, Francis is literally scared to death. His brother tries to comfort Francis by touching his arm, only to find that was the final unendurable anguish for his petrified sibling. When the lights are turned back on, the adults find Francis dead. COMMENTARY This powerful story shows how indifferent and unaware adults can be about their own children's phobias and anxieties. Even though the twin/narrator feels great empathy for his brother and understands his fears, he cannot really help him, though he tries to intercede and explain to the adults, who dismiss Francis's fears as silly. CHARACTERS      Peter Morton, Francis Morton, The                                                     Children's Mother, Nurse, Joyce, Mabel Warren, Mrs. Henne-Falcon and The Other Kids.

Important Celebrations!!!!!!!

JANUARY

January 1, New Year (New Year's Day)

 As in many parts of the world, the year-end holidays are a special occasion to celebrate among many, especially in England the reception of the new year comes with a fireworks show.

FEBRUARY

February 14 (Valentine's Day)

On this day we commemorate the birth of St. Valentine. Also known as Valentine's Day or Day of Love and Friendship.

MARCH

March 17, St. Patrick's Day (St. Patrick's Day)

Despite being of Irish origin, the feast of Saint Patrick festivities develops even with parades.

APRIL

Celebration by St. George's Day

April 1, Day of the Holy Innocents (April Fool's Day)

This is a date that is used to play him jokes on people, to large companies and TV networks make jokes.

April 23, Day of St. George (St. George's Day)

This day commemorates the death of St. George St. and soldier, popular and widespread of the Christian regilion around the world.

MAY

First Monday of May (May Day Bank Holiday and Easter Monday)

Last Monday in May (Spring Bank Holiday)

OCTOBER

October 31 (Hallowe'en or Halloween)

NOVEMBER

November 5th (Guy Fawkes Night)

It is celebrated during the night to commemorate the failed attack, known as the Gunpowder Plot, with a Catholic faction, tried to destroy the Palace of Westminster, the seat of parliament.

DECEMBER

December 24, Christmas Eve (Christmas Eve)

December 25 (Christmas)

Christmas is a universal holiday, and in England the commonly happens at home, with family, although the celebration begins in advance by sending cards and placing a decorated tree at home.

December 26 (Boxing Day / St. Stephen's Day - San Sebastian)

It is known as Boxing Day because it is a time when traders receive a bonus in recognition of his work done during the year.

December 31, New Year (New Year's Eve)

famous English writers .....

CHARLES JOHN HUFFAM DICKENS

 (Portsmouth, England, February 7, 1812 - Gads Hill Place, England, June 9, 1870)

Was a famous English novelist, one of the best known in world literature, and the principal of the Victorian era. He was a master of the narrative genre, which printed a certain dose of humor and irony, while practicing a sharp social criticism. In his work are the descriptions of people and places, both real and imagined. Sometimes used the pseudonym Boz.

Dickens's style is florid and poetic, with a strong comic touch. His satire on the snobbery of the British aristocracy-he called one of his characters' The Noble Refrigerator "- are often popular. Orphan comparisons of shareholders or diners with furniture are some of her most acclaimed ironies.

Charles Dickens published over a dozen major novels, a large number of short stories (including a number of Christmas-themed stories), a handful of plays, and several non-fiction books. Dickens's novels were initially serialised in weekly and monthly magazines, then reprinted in standard book formats.

Short story collections

·         Sketches by Boz (1836)

·         The Mudfog Papers (1837) in Bentley's Miscellany magazine

·         Reprinted Pieces (1861)

·         The Uncommercial Traveller (1860–1869)