Warm-Up and Freewrite

Definitions:
1. Close reading in my definition is literally reading the materially closely and finding meaning beyond the words on the page. This means interpreting the words as not only what they simply say but what they mean and what point the author is trying to get across. In order to do close reading one must read between the lines.
2. In my words, pastoral is an adjective meaning fatherly and guiding and often refers to priests and pastors. A pastoral person is someone who looks over others in a guiding and helping way.
According to the OED, pastoral is:

I. A person or thing associated with spiritual care.
1. a. A book on the care of souls. Obs. Originally chiefly (in plural) with reference to the title of St Gregory's Cura Pastoralis.
2. A pastoral staff, a crosier. Now rare.
II. A person or thing associated with the tending of livestock.
3. a. A literary work portraying rural life or the life of shepherds, esp. in an idealized or romantic form.
c. A rural and idyllic scene or picture.
6. a. A shepherd, a herdsman. b. Austral. A sheep or cattle farmer; a pastoralist. Obs. rare.

B. adj.
I. Relating to the tending of livestock.
1. a. Of or relating to shepherds or their occupation; relating to or occupied in the care of flocks or herds; (Austral. and N.Z.) spec. engaged in or relating to the farming of livestock as opposed to the production of crops.
b. Of land or countryside: used for pasture; (Austral. and N.Z.) spec. of or related to land used for the farming of livestock (as opposed to land used for arable farming).
b. Of a landscape, scene, etc.: having a simplicity or natural charm associated with pastureland.
II. Relating to spiritual care.
3. a. Of or relating to a pastor or minister; concerned with the spiritual care of a Christian congregation or community.
b. Educ. Of or relating to the care or responsibility of a teacher for a pupil's general well-being.

2. In my mind, a nymph (noun) is a mythical female creature that dwells in nature and is desired by men and other male creatures found in nature. OED's definition of a nymph:

Chiefly Classical Mythol. Any of a class of semi-divine spirits, imagined as taking the form of a maiden inhabiting the sea, rivers, mountains, woods, trees, etc., and often portrayed in poetry as attendants on a particular god. A prostitute; a woman regarded as a means of sexual gratification; A beautiful young woman; a maiden, a damsel.

3. In my own words, a mistress (noun) is a female who is used for sexual purposes only, usually to married men. A mistress is a woman that a man uses, even when married, for sex. I think that this term was more common earlier in history.
OED:
The female head of a family, household, or other establishment; a woman holding such a position in conjunction with a male counterpart. A woman having control or authority. A woman who employs others in her service; a woman who has authority over servants, attendants, or slaves.