Question

Read the sentences below from “Federigo’s Falcon.” Describe how each sentence’s diction affects your feelings about the story and your understanding of it. Then rewrite the sentences using different words, but keep the meaning the same. You can choose to rewrite the sentences more formally or informally. You can even use slang. Break up the original sentence into two or more sentences if you like.

When he found himself the husband of such a great lady, whom he had loved so much and who was so wealthy besides, he managed his financial affairs with more prudence than in the past and lived with her happily the rest of his days.
When the lady heard and saw this, she first reproached him for having killed such a falcon to serve as a meal to a woman; but then to herself she commended the greatness of his spirit, which no poverty was able or would be able to diminish; then, having lost all hope of getting the falcon and, perhaps because of this, of improving the health of her son as well, she thanked Federigo both for the honor paid to her and for his good will, and she left in grief, and returned to her son.

Answer 1

Answer:The first sentence describes how Federigo lived happily after his marriage. However, I do not feel that Federigo is truly in love with his wife. The references to his “wealthy” wife and his better managed “financial affairs” give me the impression that Federigo lacks passion.

Rewritten sentence: He was married to the woman he loved, and she was also very rich. His situation motivated him to manage his money more wisely, and he had a happy life with her.

The second sentence tells the reader that Monna Giovanna “commended,” or praised, Federigo for the “greatness of his spirit” despite having “lost all hope of getting the falcon” and “improving the health of her son.” She also “reproached” (gently scolded) Federigo for killing the Falcon. These words show that Monna is a gentle and sensitive person, and yet she has a strong spirit. Many people in her situation would have lost control and shouted or wept in this situation. However, Monna praises and thanks Federigo for his “good will” and accepts her son’s fate.

Rewritten sentence: When she realized Federigo had killed the falcon, she gently scolded him. But secretly she thought that he had acted in an honorable manner, despite being poor. She thanked Federigo for his generosity to her. She was sad as she returned to her sick son because with the falcon dead, she had no hope of saving his life.