SHORT STORY UNIT : ENGLISH III

Mr. Stanberry

JOURNAL ENTRY : FEBRUARY 25, 2015

Discuss the significance of time. Why is time so valuable?

Why is time so important?

DAILY CLASSWORK

Journal Entry / Discussion

Read : Background Information on author Kate Chopin

Read : The Story of an Hour by Kate Chopin

Handout : Review questions

JOURNAL ENTRY : FEBRUARY 26, 2015

What does it mean to be suppressed by something?

Discuss the idea of suppression and provide an example of suppression in our society.

3-5 sentence response.

CHARLOTTE PERKINS GILMAN

Born in Hartford, Connecticut.

She was a known author and social activist in the area of Women’s Rights.

Her most commonly taught short-story is title “The Yellow Wall-paper,” which focuses on the suppression women faced from society.

She was deemed mentally unstable by Dr. Silas Weir Mitchell; a known physician that treated female patients with “The Rest Cure.”

“The Yellow Wall-Paper” is an autobiographic account of Gilman’s experience with “The Rest Cure.”

THE REST CURE

“The Rest Cure,” created by Dr. Silas Weir Mitchell was commonly used for women postpartum.

The treatment itself, designed for both men and women, was created to treat neurasthenia (emotional disturbance).

Women who were treated were isolated, confined to bed rest, given electrotherapy, fed a meat-rich diet, and were forced to remove themselves from anything that caused stress.

Charlotte Perkins Gilman was asked not to write, due to the stress of the profession.

Men were treated with the “West Cure,” where they were encouraged to take time to enjoy the things that they liked most; hunting, fishing, “rough-riding,” and male bonding.

DAILY CLASSWORK

Journal Entry

Notes : Charlotte Perkins Gilman / The Rest Cure

Read : “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Handout : Written Response Questions

JOURNAL ENTRY : FEBRUARY 27, 2015

DISCLAIMER: YOU SIT IN THE SAME SEAT; THEY ARE JUST FACING A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

It’s Free Write Friday:

No notes, no restraints; just write.

5 sentences for full credit.

JOURNAL ENTRY : MARCH 2, 2015

What is the best way to tell a “tall-tale?”

Provide an example of a tall-tale that you have heard from a family member.

MARK TWAIN

Born in 1835 in Florida, Missouri, under the name of Samuel L. Clemens.

Mark (measure) and twain (two), are terms of measurement for riverboat pilots.

“When I was born I was a member of a firm of twins, and one of them disappeared.”

Upon the death of his father, Twain quit school and took a job as a printer’s apprentice in order to keep the family financially stable. (Age 11)

At age 21, Twain took his dream job as a riverboat pilot on the Mississippi River.

During the time of the Civil War, the Mississippi River was closed to commercial travel, so Twain moved to San Francisco, California, with the hopes of striking it rich in gold trade.

MARK TWAIN (CONTINUED)

After meeting author Bret Harte, Twain began his career as a satire journalist who specialized in humor.

His most notable work , The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn , is one of the most celebrated short stories in American Literature.

“All modern American Literature comes from one book by Mark Twain called Huckleberry Finn.” – Ernest Hemingway

After the untimely death of several loved ones, Twain had a shift from writing humor to focusing on the dark side of human nature. The latter works are not referenced in courses that study Mark Twain.

DAILY CLASSWORK

Journal Entry / Discussion

Notes : Author Mark Twain

Read : “The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” by Mark Twain

Handout : Review Questions

JOURNAL ENTRY : MARCH 3, 2015

Have you ever used your imagination to protect yourself in an unpleasant situation?

Provide a 4-5 sentence example of the situation, and how you attempted to make it better.

AMBROSE BIERCE

Staying in the Civil War Era, author Ambrose Bierce was considered a harsh realist in reference to his direction with short stories.

Like Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce took a job as a printer’s apprentice to help his impoverished family. He was one of thirteen children.

Upon the beginning of the Civil War, Bierce enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Volunteers regimen. He was medically discharged after surviving a bullet to the head.

Following the war, like Twain, Bierce moved to San Francisco, California for an opportunity of becoming a writer. He took a position at the San Francisco News Letter and Commercial Advisor as a humorist. His humor was regularly aimed at politicians and business leaders.

His death is unknown due to his sudden disappearance to Mexico in 1914.

DAILY CLASSWORK

Journal Entry / Discussion

Notes : Author Ambrose Bierce

Read : “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” by Ambrose Bierce

Handout : Review Questions

Objectives : Analyze Point of ViewMaking predictionsEvaluating Author’s Purpose / Technique

JOURNAL ENTRY : MARCH 6, 2015

It’s Free Write Friday!!!

I hope you are well rested from your break!!

Be sure to write five sentences for full credit.

DAILY CLASSWORK

Journal Entry

Discussion : Plan of Action – 9 Weeks Tests

Handout : Short Story Quiz #2

Objectives:Comprehensive review of EOI preparation strategies.Students are to analyze works of fiction in written response form.

JOURNAL ENTRY : MARCH 9, 2015

Take the following notes over Naturalism:

-Naturalism in literature attempts to make an objective analysis on humans and their interactions as beings through their surroundings.

- 19th century Naturalist authors used a version of the scientific method to study human behavior.

- Social Darwinism was a basis used by naturalist authors to depict the struggle against nature as a hopeless fight.

CONTINUED

Characteristics of Naturalism:

- Objective outlook on humanity in contrast to subjective.

- Detached methods of narration (third-person omniscient narrator)

- The heavy use of imagery.

- Deterministic – natural and socioeconomic forces are stronger than man.

- Heredity determines character.

- The use of static characters.

- Characters do not have “free will”. (Determinism)

DAILY CLASSWORK

Journal Entry / Notes

Discussion : Naturalism and Determinism

Read : “To Build a Fire” by Jack London (593)

Handout : Reading Guide for “To Build a Fire”

JOURNAL ENTRY : MARCH 10, 2015

Based on what you have read so far, what types of conflict are evident in “To Build A Fire?”

Provide one example of repetition in “To Build A Fire.” What is the purpose of repetition?

WRITTEN RESPONSE QUESTIONS:

ANSWER IN 4-6 SENTENCE RESPONSES 1- Based on what you know about Naturalism,

what is the author’s message in regards to man’s appreciation of nature in “To Build a Fire?”

2- With the concept of determinism, how is the man in the story affected by the idea of “free will?”

3- Discuss the significance of the author’s contrast of knowledge and instinct. Which character represents each of the concepts, and what is the author’s message in this comparison?