"The Fox and the Cat" by the Brothers Grimm Close Reading Analysis Worksheet

Help middle and high school students go beyond general reading comprehension and support the development of critical thinking skills with this close reading analysis worksheet covering the classic Grimm’s fairy tale “The Fox and the Cat,” a cautionary story about hubris and its consequences. The brevity of the narrative also helps to fill awkward gaps in the teaching schedule, while the supporting activity upholds rigor in the classroom. An answer key and copy of the short story are included. Materials are delivered in Word Document and PDF formats.

This resource may facilitate small-group discussions in which students decode language and pose/respond to questions relating to plot, broad topics, and character development. Using this resource for structured guidance, students will improve their ability to present information, conclusions, and supporting textual evidence clearly and convincingly.

By completing this close reading activity, students will:

• Identify what the text states explicitly and implicitly
• Describe the tone of a given excerpt
• Verify interpretations of language using reference materials as needed
• Discern the intended effect of figurative language in context
• Consider the greater significance of a given detail
• Examine how complex characters think, behave, interact, and develop
• Apply knowledge of literary devices with an emphasis on hubris, invective, and metaphor
• Explore themes in context