"Sweet Ermengarde" by H.P. Lovecraft Close Reading Worksheet

Help high schoolers go beyond basic comprehension and develop critical thinking and literary craft analysis skills with this close reading worksheet covering an obscure short story by H.P. Lovecraft titled “Sweet Ermengarde,” also known as “The Heart of a Country Girl.” This piece is a surprising departure from the grotesque and fantastical characteristics typically associated with Lovecraftian fiction. An answer key and copy of the narrative are included. Materials are delivered in editable Word Document and printable PDF formats. By completing this close reading activity, students will:

• Read for literal comprehension
• Utilize dictionaries to ensure knowledge of word meanings
• Infer the intended effects of the author’s word choices and narrative techniques
• Explore how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
• Apply knowledge of literary devices including dramatic irony and situational irony
• Identify and articulate sexist tropes in the context of the narrative
• Support claims and inferences with sound reasoning and relevant evidence
• Write about fiction with clarity, accuracy, and precision
• Come to class better prepared to discuss literature