Foreshadowing and its relationship to destiny play a large role in the novel's naturalist genre. As such, Bobby first identified examples of the foreshadowing of the death of Curley's wife. I then tied these events to the naturalist genre discussing Steinbeck's grim view that environmental factors determine one's life . We examined how Lennie's condition , his strength and mental disability , are environmental factors and end up controlling the fate of many of the characters. George ,Lennie and Candy lose any chance of achieving their "American Dream" after Lennie accidentally kills Curley's wife. We further focused on the description of the death of Curley's wife noting how she too is portrayed as a victim of her environment and becomes a sympathetic figure. For homework, finish the novel and answer two study guide questions.
We analyzed the relationship between setting and character by first placing on the board specific language from the text describing two settings. Marcel then discussed what characters mirror the setting and in what way. He did a good job commenting on the rot and deterioration in Miss Havishams' estate reflecting her physical and moral deterioration. We then reviewed the complex plot denouement in the final chapters. In preparation for an upcoming comprehension quiz, I outlined examples of foreshadowing, and coincidence and discussed Pip's abduction, how Herbert discovers and saves him, and the boat accident that results in the demise of Compeyson. We further analyzed quotes contrasting the "noble " Joe and the hypocrite ,Pumblechook. Last, we examined the text portions illustrating Pip's final transformation into a compassionate man who judges people by their moral qualities ,not their social class. For homework, read the next two chapters, complete bibliography for research /novel essay on criminal justice system in Victorian England.
Today's board work continued yesterday's lesson on subject-verb agreement and subject- pronoun agreement. Lena then took a quiz on Chapter 10 of the novel. After reviewing the quiz, we began studying Ch 11 wherein August and June end their mourning period for May providing Lily the opportunity to finally disclose her real identity and why she ran away to Tiburon. As we read, we noted the context of the chapter vocabulary words.
Today's session was a writing lesson using Bobby's ch 4 study guide quiz as a basis . We first discussed the need for and use of capitalization and corrected improper capitalization followed by instruction on using commas to set off introductory phrases. Next, we addressed the proper use of apostrophes . Having addressed punctuation, we then focused on rewriting and combining sentences mostly to avoid awkward tense usage and overuse of generalities . With respect to the substantive responses, I provided suggestions and text pages to assist Bobby in revising his substantive answers to adequately answer the questions. For homework, finish reading ch5 and completed study guide questions,.
Today's board work consisted of exercises on pronoun agreement and subject- verb agreement. In this regard, we discussed the concept of the collective noun such as " team or audience" being treated as singular. We then read the remainder of chapter 10 and began ch 11 by Lena placing ch 11 vocabulary in her notebook. Last,we analyzed the bee metaphor in the chapter's prologue and discussed how certain rewards of life , such as finding love, may only materialize after numerous efforts.
We delved a little deeper into the characteristics of the "naturalist " genre by detailing what type of environmental forces control the fate of the novel's characters. I noted how Steinbeck was interested in how social forces shaped the lives of the underclass or of society's outcasts. We then explored why Curley's wife, Crooks, Candy and Lennie are "outsiders" or considered societal discards who can not control their own destiny. We next examined the text with respect to Curley's wife and discussed ways in which she is depicted not as an immoral flirt, but sympathetically, as a lonely person whose dreams will never materialize. Bobby then began his chapter 4 quiz which he will finish for homework as a take home quiz.
We examined the text and discussed how Pip's maturation and process of self-discovery is coming to fruition in the final chapters. As the bildungsroman genre depicts the journey to manhood and self -awareness, we located 5 examples in chapter 49 where Pip acts selflessly, shows remorse for his conduct toward Joe, and demonstrates the capacity to forgive those who have harmed him. Marcel took good notes on this topic. As Dickens moves the plot forward rapidly through the use of more and more coincidences, we further discussed which coincidences are necessary to develop the theme and which are contrived. Marcel offered good insights into this aspect of the novel recognizing that Dickens spun a good tale in order to maintain the interest of his audience who was reading the novel in weekly installments in his magazine. Last, we parsed through some of the plot complications explaining why Magwitch abandoned his child , and how Jaggers, the lawyer, acted as a de facto adoption agency for the child. We noted how Dickens' description of the unregulated callous process shows Dickens' criticism toward the harsh treatment of impoverished children in Victorian England. In preparation for a final writing paper on the novel, I last reviewed some additional research Marcel culled on the criminal justice system in Victorian England. For homework due Wednesday- read next two chapters and complete study guide for chapters 50-54 .
Today's board work focused on foreshadowing. I placed a definition on the board as well as two exemplary quotes from the book . Lena copied the material and completed the sentences asking whether the foreshadowing was optimistic or pessimistic and to whom did the foreshadow refer . We then began studying chapter 10 soon to discover that the author foreshadowed May's suicide , a very emotional scene which greatly affected Lena. We again discussed how sometimes the purpose of Art is to evoke an emotional response.
In the virtual notebook, I placed the definition of the literary genre of "naturalism" and discussed naturalism as an offshoot of realism. I further reiterated in the notebook two themes: the American Dream and Loneliness. Bobby then discussed the major characters,Candy,Crooks, Lennie ,and Curley's wife as people society considers "outsiders'" or "weak". We analyzed how each of these characters is considered weak due to race ,age , or disability . Bobby further located textual support illustrating the theme of loneliness. We discussed how Crooks,as the only Black person on the ranch, is ostracized and isolated and how likewise Curley's wife ,the only woman on the ranch, longs to talk with anyone who will listen . In contrast, we examined how George and Lennie have a deep connection that allows them to escape the loneliness of life. For homework read the next 11 pages and prepare for a Ch 4 quiz.
For most of the session, Marcel took a quiz on Chapters 40-47. After he completed the exercise, we reviewed and discussed his study guide homework answers .We examined portions of the text and discussed where corrections or additional information was needed . I further addressed any grammatical/writing issues in the homework answers. For homework due MON: read chapters 50-52 and answer study guide questions.
