Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Epilogue to ‘Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket’”

In this activity, students will write an epilogue for the story in order to think about how Tom changes throughout the story.

Tom is an example of a dynamic character who changes over the course of the story. The story ends with Tom leaving his apartment to find his wife at the movie. You will write the epilogue, or extra section of the story that extends the story and themes to arrive at a new conclusion, to explore how Tom has changed.

• Consider how Tom’s motivations, actions, and thoughts have changed throughout the novel.
• Find 2-3 examples from throughout the story to support your idea on how Tom changes. Keep in mind how the character is motivated at the story’s beginning and how his changing actions reflect the theme of The Consequences of Unbridled Ambition.
• Write an epilogue, consisting of several paragraphs, that shows Tom’s motivations, actions, and thoughts as he goes to meet his wife and arrives at the theater. Consider what he might say to her when they meet.