AP English Literature
23 Jan. 16-20, 2012
Bell ringers: Confused words
Questions for the novel are available at this link: Their Eyes Were Watching God Q
Monday, Jan. 16
Martin Luther King Holiday
Tuesday, Jan. 17
Turn in letter assignment from Chapter 2: peer reading of letters first
Discussion of folklore: identify elements of folklore at MCC,
then begin tracing of folklore through the novel: do Chapters 1 &2 in class
THE LORE, a.k.a. TRADITIONAL CULTURE: Lore is traditional behavior or
material shared by members of a folk group. Lore includes but is not limited to all of the
following:
Traditional narratives (epics, magic tales, legends, jokes, folk drama)
Traditional costumes (professional clothing, sports uniforms, hairstyles)
Traditional beliefs (religions, superstitions, ethical values)
Traditional non-narrative speech (slang, jargon, nicknames)
Traditional material culture (architecture, folk art of all kinds)
Traditional calendar customs (holidays, festivals, birthday parties)
Traditional music and dance (folksongs, folk dances)
The most important thing to remember is that lore is traditional—it has continuity over
time and through space. If a hairstyle is in fashion for only a short while, it isn’t lore.
Homework: see Folklore Assignment given for Wednesday
Read chapter 3 and do questions
Wednesday, Jan. 18:
Answer questions on Chapters 3 and 4
Thursday, Jan.19
Unit 11 Vocabulary test, if I get back to school - otherwise it will be on Friday.
In class assignment: Working with a partner, identify all references to horizon, sun, dreams, pear tree, blossom, bee, mule in the novel through chapter 4. Write down the page number and the phrase or sentence.
Then, choose one of these recurring images and explain how Hurston uses the image as a motif in the novel. Your essay should be approximately 500 words, using specific quotations to support your analysis.
Friday, Jan. 20: Revised plan
Unit 11 vocabulary quiz
For next week read Chpts. 5: continue to trace imagery as method of developing themes:
stars, sun, clouds, sky, horizon, pear tree, mule, hair, clothing, bees
Homework: Be sure you have read through Chapter 5 on Monday when we will have a test on chapters 1-5. Bring your book!
Monday Jan. 23
Quiz on Chapters 1-5
Homework: Read through the folklore assignment and look at the websites
Folklore Essay Assignment for Their Eyes Were Watching God
The following directions were adapted from Lesson Plans for Their Eyes Were Watching God
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=407
Folklore and Traditional Life in Their Eyes Were Watching God
Begin by reading Folklore Essay Assignment for Their Eyes Were Watching God
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=407
Folklore and Traditional Life in Their Eyes Were Watching God
- Begin by reading Folklore: some Useful Terminology: Be sure to cover the terms culture, tradition, narrative, orality and performance (listed in that order under "The Basics"); the sections on "Folklore and Its Component Terms" and "What Isn't Folklore?" in their entirety; and the genres of folktale, Märchen, legend, and ballad from the section entitled "A Few Folk Narrative Genres." Note especially the distinctions between culture, tradition, and narrative. You will be responsible for knowing these key terms.
- Consider Zora Neale Hurston, as folklorist and anthropologist. Referring to the biographical resources listed above from Internet Public Library, you can see that Hurston was also a well-traveled, successful, and admired collector of black Southern folklore. Students should read Hurston's "Proposed Recording Expedition in to the Floridas," archived in the Florida Folklife from the WPA Collections, from the American Memory Collection. Another resource from the American Memory Collection worth reviewing at this point is "Ethnic and Cultural Groups Recorded by the WPA in Florida." Read and take notes on at least five of the folklore examples collected by Hurston. Be sure to create a bibliography entry for this information. Complete Part 1 of the Worksheet using these resources.
- Then compare Hurston's description of Floridian blacks' folk life to that found in the novel. Complete Part Two of the worksheet, using the novel. Is her depiction in the novel anything like the real-world folk traditions she describes? How many of the ethnic and cultural groups listed does Hurston incorporate into her novel, and how thoroughly does she present their traditional life? Using the websites above, along with the first section of the worksheet, Folklore in Their Eyes Were Watching God, document your findings and the answers to these questions.
Essay: Using the material collected on the Folklore worksheet, parts one and two, write a well-organized essay which explores the impact of folklore on developing the theme of the novel, Their Eyes Were Watching God. This is due Tuesday.
- Be sure to cover the terms culture, tradition, narrative, orality and performance (listed in that order under "The Basics"); the sections on "Folklore and Its Component Terms" and "What Isn't Folklore?" in their entirety; and the genres of folktale, Märchen, legend, and ballad from the section entitled "A Few Folk Narrative Genres." Note especially the distinctions between culture, tradition, and narrative. You will be responsible for knowing these key terms.
Consider Zora Neale Hurston, as folklorist and anthropologist. Referring to the biographical resources listed above from Internet Public Library, to review her work in these fields and see how they have been a source of her works.
