Danticat, "The Book of the Dead"

Read the introduction to Contemporary Literature in the textbook (886-905). In your notes, write the elements on Postmodern Literature from p. 899.

“The Book of the Dead”, Edwidge Danticat (1048)

Answer the following questions :

• What basic irony is at the heart of this story--how is Annie's father the opposite of the heroic figure she admired? 
• At the beginning of the story, what does the sculpture symbolize for Annie? What does the same sculpture symbolize for Gabrielle Fonteneau? 
• Explain the dramatic irony that builds during the luncheon at the Fonteneaus' house. In other words, what do we know the the Fonteneaus do not? 
• On a non-literal level, what does the title of the story mean? How would you state the story's theme--what truth about life does it reveal? 
• What features of Contemporary Literature are shown in this story?

Harlem Renaissance poetry

Read the introduction to the Harlem Renaissance in the textbook (816-7).

Read the following poems:
Countee Cullen, "Tableau" and "Incident"
Langston Hughes, "The Weary Blues", "Harlem" (see below), and "The Negro Speaks of Rivers"






Harlem
Langston Hughes

Here on the edge of hell Stands Harlem— Remembering the old lies, The old kicks in the back, The old “Be patient” They told us before. Sure, we remember. Now when the man at the corner store Says sugar’s gone up another two cents, And bread one, And there’s a new tax on cigarettes— We remember the job we never had, Never could get, And can’t have now Because we’re colored. So we stand here On the edge of hell In Harlem And look out on the world And wonder What we’re gonna do In the face of what We remember.        Explain where Cullen and Hughes have each included issues or topics unique to African Americans in the 1920s.  Sample issues/topics to look for: a.       Racism b.      African American culture (jazz music, traditional African American religious hymns, Biblical stories, famous African Americans) c.       African American history, especially slavery d.      City life Read one of the following poems: Jean Toomer, "Portrait in Georgia", "Reapers", "Song of the Son", "Storm Ending" or Claude McKay, "America", "The Barrier", "Harlem Shadows" (All are available online). Label this question with the title you have chosen. a. Describe the basic situation of the poem (What happens? Who are the characters?). b.                        What is the overall tone of the poem? What words show this? c. How does your poem reflect characteristics of Harlem Renaissance poetry?        Read “I Hear America Singing” on p. 364 of the textbook.  Look at “I, Too” below.  Explain what Hughes is saying in his response to Whitman. I, Too   by Langston Hughes I, too, sing America. I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong. Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then. Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed-- I, too, am America.

Of Mice and Men, film

Watch the film version of Of Mice and Men.

Of Mice and Men, review

Brochure

Create a three-column brochure advertising the novel to someone who has never read it. Use one piece of construction paper and fold it into thirds. The columns are numbered from left to right.

Include the following information:

Side 1 Column 3
Title page – this is the opening page of the brochure. Include the title of the novel, the author’s name, and a picture. Make this visually appealing.

Side 1 Column 2
Publishing information – describe when and where you published this brochure. Include your name.

Side 1 Column 1
Summary of plot – write a short, catchy summary of the plot of the novel. Do not spoil anything for someone who has not read it.

Side 2 Column 1
Characters – list and describe the characters.

Side 2 Columns 2, 3
Themes – briefly describe how the novel deals with two of the themes listed. Write about one theme in each column. For each theme, include at least three specific examples from the novel, with page numbers.

• The American Dream
• Loneliness 
• Friendship 
• Innocence 
• Discrimination
• The Predatory Nature of Human Existence
• Fraternity and the Idealized Male Friendship
• The Corrupting Power of Women
• Strength and Weakness

Of Mice and Men, Ch 6

REMINDER: Draft 2 of the Historical Research Essay is due to turnitin.com by 11:59:59pm TONIGHT. Make the changes suggested by your peer editor. Double check to be certain you've included all quotations and source citations correctly. Attach your Works Cited as the final page of your paper.

Read Chapter 6 for Of Mice and Men. Answer the following questions:

Study Questions

Chapter 5

1. Chapter five begins with an accident. Why did it happen and what consequence does Lennie fear?

2. How does Curley's wife react when Lennie says he's not supposed to talk to her?

3. What, according to Curley's wife, will keep people from knowing that they are speaking alone in the barn?

4. What feelings does she reveal in their conversation? What situations from her past does she reveal?

5. Do you feel more sympathetic towards her character after this conversation? How does she fit into the broader themes of the novel?

6. What does she invite Lennie to do that proves to be a serious mistake?

7. What terrible event occurs in Chapter Five and how was it foreshadowed?

8. Why does George leave and then return to the barn with the others?

 Chapter 6

1. What does Lennie remember that George has told him?

2. Lennie has two unusual hallucinations. Describe them.

3. How do the characters in Lennie's dream treat him? What emotional needs do these hallucinations fulfill?

4. How does George try to make Lennie's free from guilt and pain?

5. Why does George make the choice he does?

6. Earlier in the novel, what event(s) foreshadowed George's final resolution of the novel's conflict?

7. Why did George lie to the others about what really happened?

8. Do you think this story has a positive or negative ending? Why?

When finished, begin the film.

Of Mice and Men, Character Review and Ch. 5

In a group of no more than four, choose one of the following characters from the novel:

• George
• Lennie
• Slim
• Curley
• Curley's Wife
• Carlson
• Candy
• Crooks

On the poster provided,

·         Write your character’s name very large at the top.

·         draw a large picture of your character

o   It should be in color.

o   Use Steinbeck’s character descriptions to inform your choice of clothing.

·         Choose two quotes from the book, either by or about your character, that you feel best describes him/her.

o   Write the quotes next to your character.

o   Include page numbers in parentheses.

·         Choose the two themes from the list below that you feel best describe your character. Write these next to your character (opposite the quotes) and include an explanation why. Themes:

o   The American Dream

o   Loneliness

o   Friendship

o   Innocence

o   Discrimination

o   The Predatory Nature of Human Existence

o   Fraternity and the Idealized Male Friendship

o   The Corrupting Power of Women

o   Strength and Weakness

When your poster is finished and turned in, read Ch. 5.

Of Mice and Men, Ch. 4

Read Chapter 4 in Of Mice and Men and answer the following questions.

Chapter 4

1. Identify Crooks.

2. How are Crook's living arrangements different from the other men?

3. What does Crooks say about the bunkhouse and the men who live in it?

4. How does Crooks fill his loneliness?

5. What is Crooks sometimes afraid of late at night in his little room?

6. Lennie tells Crooks about the land. What is his reply at first?

7. How does Crooks’ reaction to the land-ownership plan change as Candy talks?

8. Why did Curley's wife come to the barn?

9. What gives Candy the confidence to argue with Curley's wife?

10. How does she feel about Curley's injury? What does Curley's wife figure out?

11. What cruel and unjust thing does Curley's wife threaten Crooks with? How do you feel about her?

12. Why did Crooks change his mind after Curley's wife left?

On the back of the questions, draw a plot diagram for Ch. 4. Label it with the events from the chapter.