Name ____________________________________ Date: _________________

The Phoenix

1. Describe the author’s tone. Is it consistent with any message or theme in the story? Discuss.

2. How do Lord strawberry and Mr. Poldero differ in their attitudes toward the phoenix?

3. What kind of temperament does the phoenix have? Describe the bird.

4. What the cause of Lord strawberry’s dying penniless?

5. Why weren’t Lord Strawberry’s rarer birds bid for by the trustees of Europe’s great zoological societies after is death?

6. What is unique about the phoenix? List two characteristics that appear on the label outside its cage.

7. What abusive things does Mr. Poldero do to the phoenix? List SEVERAL.

8. What kind of publicity campaign does Poldero begin in the spring? Describe it.

9. What happens at the end of the story?

10. Is there irony in the story? Explain.