Toby and "The Gettysburg Address"

Toby and "The Gettysburg Address"

Margaret Cabel Self

Theme: Ambition, Courage, and Discovery are all in this story. Toby doesn't give up and with his brothers help he finds a creative way to conquer his fear.

Text Evidence: "I was glad, seeing  old Tobe up there spouting his piece as peaceful as if was in the stall working on Betsy, with cats sitting around waiting."

Summary: Toby has to recite a speech in front of a large crowd. He can only recite the piece when he's milking his cow Betsy. When his brother and him find a way for Toby to recite the piece their only trouble is a mirror.

Characters: Toby, Miss MacIntyre, Mr. Crawford, Betsy, Woof Woof, Toby's brother, Toby's parents, and Toby's classmates.

Setting: The barn, classroom, and Auditorium.

Conflict: Character v.s. fate. Toby facing his fear but having his courage "mirrored back" as a silly habit. 

Figurative Language: Metaphor the author compares Toby and his habit to a lot of things.

Point of View: Third person.

Text Evidence: "So when Friday came Toby went off with his piece of rope."