Activity Overview
Tom Benecke’s priorities change significantly throughout the short story “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket”. Use the activity for Character Evolution with your students to help them keep track of how Tom evolves throughout the course of his ordeal.
Example Character Evolution for Tom Benecke
Plot | Traits |
Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Exposition | Dark-haired young man, tall, lean, pullover sweater. Works hard; wants to make a difference in his grocery industry. | Tom is skipping the movies with his wife to stay home and work on an independent project. He kids that his work will someday earn him the title of “The Boy Wizard of Wholesale Groceries.” |
| Conflict/ Rising Action | Desperate; unable to abandon the sheet of paper | Tom is unable to understand that he should abandon the sheet of paper. It has weeks’ worth of research on it for a new kind of grocery-store display. The time to present the idea is now for use in the spring displays. To replicate the work, it would take him two whole months. |
| Climax | Calm, cool, and collected; methodical, until he stoops down to grab the paper; then he becomes panicked, frozen, and clumsy | Tom initially goes out to retrieve the paper carefully, but without much concern. As Tom bends down to retrieve the paper, the true danger of his situation becomes clear as he views the street 11 stories below him. |
| Falling Action | Frightened; delirious; realistic | Tom reaches the window and it slams shut on him as he grasps it to keep from falling. He thinks that it would be funny if he were to wait out on the ledge and Clare came home to find him there, and he almost laughs out loud. He looks at his watch, however, and realizes she’s only been gone eight minutes and will probably be gone four hours. He knows he needs to get inside. He screams “Clare!” and punches in the window. |
| Resolution | Elated; energized; prioritized | As soon as Tom is back in the apartment, he goes straight to the closet to get his coat and join Clare. He gives no more thought to working that night; he is grateful to be alive. As he watches the paper fly back out the window, he laughs and closes the door; he finally realizes that work is not more important than his life. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the evolution of Tom Benecke throughout the course of "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket".
- Use the Character Evolution Template to get started.
- Break the story down into Exposition, Conflict/Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. What traits does Tom have?
- Illustrate one or more of the traits for each stage of the story.
- Identify major events in each part of the story that affected Tom.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character Evolution Traits and Analysis | The character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point clearly shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character. The analysis reveals insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Most of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, although some of the analyses might be unclear or inaccurate. The analysis reveals understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Some of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point attempts to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, but some of the analyses may be inaccurate, unclear, or minimal. There is an attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Most of the character traits and evolution are identified incorrectly, are missing, or are too limited to score. There is minimal or no analysis to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, and there may be no attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
Activity Overview
Tom Benecke’s priorities change significantly throughout the short story “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket”. Use the activity for Character Evolution with your students to help them keep track of how Tom evolves throughout the course of his ordeal.
Example Character Evolution for Tom Benecke
Plot | Traits |
Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Exposition | Dark-haired young man, tall, lean, pullover sweater. Works hard; wants to make a difference in his grocery industry. | Tom is skipping the movies with his wife to stay home and work on an independent project. He kids that his work will someday earn him the title of “The Boy Wizard of Wholesale Groceries.” |
| Conflict/ Rising Action | Desperate; unable to abandon the sheet of paper | Tom is unable to understand that he should abandon the sheet of paper. It has weeks’ worth of research on it for a new kind of grocery-store display. The time to present the idea is now for use in the spring displays. To replicate the work, it would take him two whole months. |
| Climax | Calm, cool, and collected; methodical, until he stoops down to grab the paper; then he becomes panicked, frozen, and clumsy | Tom initially goes out to retrieve the paper carefully, but without much concern. As Tom bends down to retrieve the paper, the true danger of his situation becomes clear as he views the street 11 stories below him. |
| Falling Action | Frightened; delirious; realistic | Tom reaches the window and it slams shut on him as he grasps it to keep from falling. He thinks that it would be funny if he were to wait out on the ledge and Clare came home to find him there, and he almost laughs out loud. He looks at his watch, however, and realizes she’s only been gone eight minutes and will probably be gone four hours. He knows he needs to get inside. He screams “Clare!” and punches in the window. |
| Resolution | Elated; energized; prioritized | As soon as Tom is back in the apartment, he goes straight to the closet to get his coat and join Clare. He gives no more thought to working that night; he is grateful to be alive. As he watches the paper fly back out the window, he laughs and closes the door; he finally realizes that work is not more important than his life. |
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard that shows the evolution of Tom Benecke throughout the course of "Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket".
- Use the Character Evolution Template to get started.
- Break the story down into Exposition, Conflict/Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution. What traits does Tom have?
- Illustrate one or more of the traits for each stage of the story.
- Identify major events in each part of the story that affected Tom.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 27 Points | Beginning 22 Points | Try Again 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Character Evolution Traits and Analysis | The character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point clearly shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character. The analysis reveals insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Most of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point shows the link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, although some of the analyses might be unclear or inaccurate. The analysis reveals understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Some of the character traits and evolution are identified correctly at each of the five plot points. The analysis of the traits at each plot point attempts to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, but some of the analyses may be inaccurate, unclear, or minimal. There is an attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. | Most of the character traits and evolution are identified incorrectly, are missing, or are too limited to score. There is minimal or no analysis to establish a link between the events that happen in the story and their impact on the character, and there may be no attempt to reveal insight and understanding of the character's journey and the work as a whole. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate to the work of literature. It is evident that the student spent a lot of time, creativity, and effort into carefully crafting each artistic depiction. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be historically appropriate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. It is evident that the student stayed on task and put time and effort into crafting each artistic depiction. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically appropriate, but there are serious deviations that cause confusion or inaccuracies. The student may not have paid much attention to detail in crafting each depiction, and there may be evidence of rushing or limited effort. | Most of the art chosen to depict the scenes are historically inappropriate, missing, or too limited to score. It is evident that the student did not put a lot of time, effort, and creativity into crafting each artistic depiction. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. Displays control of grammar, usage, and mechanics. Shows careful proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains few errors in grammar, usage and mechanics. Shows some proofreading. | Ideas and quotes are organized. Contains errors in grammar, usage and mechanics which interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. | Contains too many errors in grammar, usage and mechanics; (and/or) errors seriously interfere with communication. Shows a lack of proofreading. |
How Tos about Tom Benecke in “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket”
Incorporate Character Evolution Journals into Daily Reading
Encourage students to maintain a Character Evolution Journal as they read. After each reading session, have them jot down how Tom Benecke's traits, motivations, or decisions shift in response to story events. This routine builds close reading habits and helps students track character growth in real time.
Model Think-Alouds to Analyze Tom’s Development
Demonstrate your thought process by reading passages aloud and pausing to wonder aloud how Tom’s actions or feelings have changed. This models metacognition and invites students to mirror analytical thinking when studying character evolution on their own.
Facilitate Peer Discussions on Character Choices
Organize small group or partner discussions where students debate Tom’s decisions at key points in the story. This collaborative talk allows students to consider multiple perspectives and strengthens their ability to justify character analysis with evidence.
Create Visual Timelines of Tom’s Transformation
Guide students to construct a visual timeline that highlights each major event and how Tom’s character is affected. Use drawings, symbols, or brief notes to illustrate changes. This technique supports visual learners and makes abstract character development concrete.
Connect Tom’s Evolution to Real-Life Decisions
Prompt students to write short reflections connecting Tom’s choices to decisions they or people they know have faced. This personalizes the lesson and helps students see how literary analysis applies to everyday life.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tom Benecke in “Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket”
What is Tom Benecke’s character evolution in 'Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket'?
Tom Benecke starts as an ambitious, work-focused young man but evolves through fear and self-realization during his ordeal. By the end, he values his life and relationships over career ambitions, showing a shift from obsession with work to prioritizing what truly matters.
How can students track character development in 'Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket'?
Students can use a Character Evolution Template to break the story into Exposition, Conflict/Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution, identifying Tom’s traits and key events at each stage to see how he changes.
What are key traits of Tom Benecke at different points in the story?
In the exposition, Tom is hardworking and ambitious. During the conflict, he is desperate and determined. At the climax, he becomes panicked and fearful. In the falling action, he’s realistic and frightened. By the resolution, he is grateful and reprioritized.
What lesson does Tom Benecke learn by the end of the story?
Tom learns that personal relationships and life are more important than professional success. Surviving his ordeal, he realizes work should not come before the people and moments that matter.
How can teachers use character evolution activities in high school literature lessons?
Teachers can assign storyboards or templates for students to map out character changes, encouraging analysis of traits, motivations, and key events. This helps students deepen their understanding of character arcs and story structure.
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Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket
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