Parent Guide > Hermann the Irascible
Welcome to the parent guide for this text! Read below to find out about what your child is reading in class and how you can support him/her at home.
This week in class, we’re reading "Hermann the Irascible" by Saki.
In "Hermann the Irascible" (1917), a king decides that once women have the right to vote, they will tire of the responsibility. In this comedic story, this reverse psychology works - once women gain the right to vote, they don't want it anymore. Today, "Herman the Irascible" is read as a time piece that reflects popular opinions of the era.
As we read, we will be discussing the themes of Comedy & Tragedy and Gender Roles as they relate to the text. We are trying to answer these big questions :
"How do we define the roles of men and women?" and "What can we learn from comedy?"
Ways to support your child:
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Ask your child about this short story at home:
- What was "Hermann the Irascible" about?
- What did you learn about Comedy & Tragedy?
- What did you learn about Gender Roles?
- Watch Gender in 19th Century Britain at home with your child.