Sunday, February 20, 2011

"The Lottery" Shirley Jackson

1. Read “The Lottery” with the purpose being that you will write your own story inspired by this story: http://www.americanliterature.com/Jackson/SS/TheLottery.html

2. Read "Monstrous Acts:" http://www.shmoop.com/lottery-shirley-jackson/botw/resources?d=http://www.salon.com/jan97/jackson970106.html

3. Pick a "monstrous act" that you've witnessed (either big or small) in your life and write a short story or personal narrative based on that experience. (2-3 pages) Your narrative must contain a setting, defined themes, literary devices of your choosing, and a few developed characters. If you can’t think of a “monstrous act,” write a modernized version of this story based on personal experience. Be prepared to share your stories in small groups tomorrow.







Monday, February 14, 2011

"The Yellow Wallpaper" Charlotte Perkins Gilman

THIS BLOG IS SIMPLY TO PROVIDE LINKS AND ASSIGNMENTS.  YOU DO NOT NEED TO COMMENT!

Questions to ponder...
•What does Charlotte Perkins Gilman's story "The Yellow Wallpaper" suggest about middle-class women's place and role(s) in this society?
•How does literature from this time period reflect the rapidly changing roles of American women in the nineteenth and early twentieth century?
*Readers in Gilman's time would have been familiar with Poe's stories. Are there any similarities between "The Yellow Wall-Paper" and "The Tell Tale Heart"?

In Class Assignment:
Please read and take notes (USE THE BACK OF THE ACTIVE READING CHART) on the following articles to get a sense of the time period as it relates to women and literature:

Domesticity in Turn of the Century Literature:
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~MA02/rodriguez/GildedAge/Gilded%20Age%20Literature.html
A Brief History of the Women's Movement:
http://www.legacy98.org/move-hist.html
Overview of the time period in relation to "The Yellow Wallpaper":
http://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plan/charlotte-perkins-gilmans-yellow-wall-papermdashthe-new-woman#sect-introduction

Homework:
Complete the Active Reading Chart while reading "The Yellow Wallpaper":
http://edsitement.neh.gov/sites/default/files/worksheets/Charlotte%20Perkins%20Gilman%27s%20The%20Yellow%20Wallpaper%20-%20The%20New%20Woman-%20Active%20Reading%20Chart.pdf

Links to the story online:
http://www.horrormasters.com/Text/a0059.pdf
http://www.library.csi.cuny.edu/dept/history/lavender/yellowwallpaper.pdf

The Story of an Hour- Kate Chopin (1894)

Can blogging about the story help you deepen your understanding?
1. Please read the story twice.  Click on Woodlief's links during your second reading.  2. Make a comment on the blog:  raise a question, add a unique thought, make a connection, mention literary devices you noticed, etc...3. Comment on one of your classmate's posts.

Bio: http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/webtexts/hour/katebio.html

Wednesday, February 09, 2011

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

"The Tell Tale Murder" by E.J. Wagner

Directions: Please post:
3 Interesting Facts
2 Connections
1 Question for Discussion
Then...
Comment on at least one classmate's discussion question.