Sample Paragraphed Characterization

My initial impression of Walter Lee Younger Jr. in Act I, Scene i, is that he is a frustrated man, who is upset that he is 35 years old and hasn’t been successful in life yet. Walter tells his wife Ruth, “…I’ve been married eleven years and I got a boy who sleeps in the living room…stories about how rich white people live” (34). Walter is a chauffeur, to a rich white man, Mr. Arnold, but he wants some of Mama’s insurance money to open a liquor store. He feels like his family, especially the women in his life, and his race are against him. He states, “Man say to his woman…eat your eggs” (33) and also, “We one group of men…race of women with small minds” (35) showing that he blames everyone but himself for his lack of success. It seems important to him that he show the world, especially his son, that he has money. This is seen in the incident with Travis when he gives him an extra fifty-cents that his mother won’t give him; he thinks money will bring him respect.

Paragraphed Characterization of Walter, (keep incomplete)---King of the Mountain homework

Homework:
In your RITS packet there is a worksheet to read called "King of the Mountain". Please read it, annotating anything you think is important or confusing, and complete the paragraphed assignment that follows either in the packet on the lines, or on a separate sheet of paper. I will check it on Friday.

Today's Assignment:
Today we are going to START a paragraphed characterization (our initial impressions of Walter) in Act I, scene 1. It may be best to type since we will not finish today, as we will add on as the play goes on. In fact, I would definitely recommend it being typed.

Use your STEAL notes to help you out, as well as the play itself.

 Instead of focusing on BASIC CHARACTERIZATION like we did with Macbeth (adjectives--example..this shows...) BUILD ON THAT--meaning still do that, but try to ADD ON.

Focus on author's craft and purpose--meaning, how does Lorraine Hansberry create this character of Walter for you in the audience? Pay attention to stage directions (the italics)--It will help to watch the American Playhouse version (Danny Glover) to help you really see how this character is supposed to be seen.

Textual evidence is a must--but don't just choose ANYTHING--pick the best evidence!
PLEASE explain your choices!

I will provide you with a way to get started if you still aren't ready for this.

Don't forget your TAG.

Homework Questions: Due Friday!Use the text in your answer as support!

1. Where would you place yourself on Maslow’s hierarchy—at which level? Why do you feel that is where you belong?

2. Which is the most important level? Why? What may stop someone from being able to advance?

3.Describe a way in which someone may take “two steps forward and three steps back,” meaning—how may you advance and be thrown back down a level?



"King of the Mountain" text--Maslow's Hierarchy

link for notes

today's notes

"Do We Not Bleed" --The Merchant of Venice"

Shylock-
A Jewish moneylender in Venice. Angered by his mistreatment at the hands of Venice’s Christians, particularly the merchant Antonio, Shylock schemes to get revenge by ruthlessly demanding a pound of Antonio’s flesh as penalty for Antonio’s defaulting on a loan. The Christian characters in the play regard Shylock as an inhuman monster, frequently mocking him for being obsessed with money.

Salanio/Salarino-Venetian gentlemen/friends of Antonio

Answer the following questions in your group using textual evidence as support:
1. What words do Salarino and Salanio use to describe Shylock? What does this lead you to infer their feelings are towards him?
2. What has happened between Shylock and his daughter? (read through to the end before you answer)
3. What does Salarino say is the difference between Shylock and his daughter?
4. What is Shylock's argument against Antonio? Why should he take his flesh even if it doesn't make sense?
5. What rhetorical questions does Shylock ask? What is his purpose in stating these questions?
6. What is the double-standard he says exists between Jews and Christians?
7. How do you feel about the character of Shylock and his situation after reading this passage? Do you think he is a sympathetic or contemptible character?


If you are having a really hard time:

Modern English version

info from: http://nfs.sparknotes.com/merchant/

youtube clip


ADD ON FOR TODAY:

Continuation: The trial/verdict

What do you think about the verdict?

Homework: Choose 5 of the 7 statements below: 1st- agree or disagree 2nd-explain your reasoning (explain well please giving examples if possible)

A Raisin in the Sun -- Anticipation Guide  

1). You should hold onto your dreams; if you work hard enough for them they will come true.  ________

Reasoning:

2). Once children are grown, their parents are no longer responsible to provide them with money and housing.  ___________

Reasoning:

3). We should think of the United States as a “melting pot” in which people from many cultures leave their differences behind and only follow “American” customs and traditions.  ___________

Reasoning:

4). Neighbors have the right to decide what kind of community they want to have—including who lives in that neighborhood. _______

Reasoning:

5). A parent and child often disagree about the way the child should live his/her life.  ____________

Reasoning:

6). Most people don’t try hard enough to help with other people’s problem. ____________

Reasoning:

7). When someone insults you, it is best to “turn the other cheek.”  ________

Reasoning:

Today's Writing Assignment: Counts as an essay grade

First, we will read the article: "Introducing the Novel" --annotating as needed.

Here is the link for "Introducing the Novel" (Scroll down to pages 10-11)

Then, we will work on our paragraphed writing assignment for the remainder of the period. The directions are below:

Writing Assignment: Women in the 19^th Century mini-unit

Use the 2 articles “Introducing the Novel” and “Meet Jane Austen” as well as the short-story “The Best Sort of Husband” to write a paragraphed response that supports a claim about:

The role of women during the 19^th century.

*You must first develop your thesis

Use the TREEES response format below for help:

Thesis—the point you are proving

Reason-general overview on why you believe your thesis to be true

Evidence/Explain (connect your evidence to your thesis) “The Best Sort of Husband”

Evidence/Explain (connect your evidence to your thesis) “Meet Jane Austen”

Evidence/Explain (connect your evidence to your thesis) “Introducing the Novel”

Summarize—sum up your main points

(Note: Please be sure to use correct in-text citations. Since you are using 3 sources, you will need to make sure you are not only citing the page number, but also the source)

Questions for "Meet Jane Austen"

Assignments: 
#1: "Marry for Money" Poetry Response
#2: Questions for "The Best Sort of Husband"
#3: Written Response for "The Best Sort of Husband"--Compare/Contrast men/women views
#4: Today's Work: Questions for "Meet Jane Austen"
#5: Tomorrow's Work: Writing assignment for "The Best Sort of Husband", "Meet Jane Austen", and "Introducing the Novel." (counts as an essay grade)


Today's Work:
Please  answer each of the following questions with TEXTUAL EVIDENCE FROM THE ARTICLE.---USE YOUR RACE STRATEGY (EITHER COPY/PAST OR HAND WRITE)

1. Why might Jane Austen’s life seem “restricted and uneventful” by modern standards?
2. What type of people did she write about and why?
3. Why is the Austen household described as a “lively and literary one”?
4. Describe the type of novel that she tried to imitate and some of her notable literary works.
5. Did Jane Austen ever get married? Why or why not?
6. Explain the following sentence: Her novels are described as providing a “realistic picture of relationships between men and women”.
7. Describe some of the characteristics of her writing that led 20th century author Virginia Woolf to note that, “Of all great writers she is the most difficult to catch in the act of greatness.”
8. To the best of your ability, explain how any of the information you read here could be applied to the short-story "The Best Sort of Husband"—meaning, where do you see any of her influence in this work? Remember, she was the narrator of the story. What connections to her real-life and the narrator in the story do you see? How might her opinions or views be expressed through that story?

Here is the link to the article: "Meet Jane Austen" (scroll down to page 9)