Aftershock: Beyond the Civil War

Annotate the film.
1.  On one side of the paper:  Describe the atmosphere in the South in the period following the Civil War.  Make a list of details that establish this atmosphere.
2.  On the other side of the paper:  Make a list of interesting stories and people that this film presents.


Don't forget to turn in your Huck Finn assignment and any extra credit that you did!

Federal Writer's Project Slave Narratives

Compare to Twain's portrayal of Jim:

• Is Jim "historically accurate" or an exaggerated stereotype?
• How do primary source documents differ from historical analysis and literary accounts?

DUE MONDAY:  Huck Finn Literary Analysis Prewrite

Brainstorming your claim:
1) Look at your notes/work/self-evaluations from the lit circles.  Think about your discussions and the ideas that came out of your discussions.
2) Look to your annotations. (This is why we annotate!)
3) What are your interpretations?
4) SUPPORTING POINTS:  What are the reasons you are claiming your claim?
5) TEXTUAL EVIDENCE:  What is the text makes you interpret it the way that you do?

Starter:  What new perspectives on The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn have emerged for you since watching the films and reading the essays?

Daily Show:  Controversial Change in Text

Discuss in groups:

1)  For each essay, discuss your answers to last night’s questions.  What are the claims?  What is the evidence?  How does the essay illuminate wither or both of the essential questions?

2)  Discuss how these analyses are developed.  What do these essays do to convince us of their interpretations?  What elements do they contain?  Are their perspectives convincing?  Why?

3)  Discuss your answers to the starter question.

Huck Finn Literary Analysis Prewrite (DUE MONDAY)

Homework:  Read Zinn, Chapter 9

Answer the following questions:

1)  What does Howard Zinn present about slavery, The Civil War, and Reconstruction that differs from or expands upon what you already knew?  Make a bullet-list if you prefer.

2)  Make 5 connections between this chapter and  Huck Finn.  How does learning about this period of history inform our understanding of the novel?     (Remember that the novel takes place shortly before the Civil War, but it was written several decades afterward during Reconstruction)

Ken Burns' Mark Twain

Due tomorrow:  Critical Essays and questions (see below)

Seminar Rubric/Post-write Questions




Lit Circle #6

Focus on the two essential questions.  For Question #2 (What does Huck Finn teach us about America?), create a group brainstorm.  Someone in the group should scribe.  When you have finished, choose the best two from the list and write them on the board.

Final Reflection

1)  How well did you participate in the literature circle experience?  Were you prepared each time?  Did you participate fruitfully?  

2)  What did you get out of this experience?  Discuss the importance of the discussion groups in helping to form your interpretations of this novel.  Be specific.

3)  Is Huckleberry Finn a racist novel?  Give a detailed explanation of your answer, referring to the text for evidence.

4)  What commentary does The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn make about life in America?

Read:

Critical Overview
Critical Essay #1
"Finding Jim Behind the Mask"
Honors:  Peaches Henry "The Struggle for Tolerance"

Questions:  Critical Essay #1 and "Finding Jim Behind the Mask"
1)  What is the overall perspective of the essay?
2)  What evidence is offered?
3)  Does the essay shed any light on either or both of the essential questions?

Extra Credit Essays (read, annotate, and answer above questions)
Critical Essay #2
Critical Essay #3

  

Seminar tomorrow: Civil Disobedience

Letter from a Birmingham Jail

Questions:

1) According to MLK Jr, what is the purpose and effectiveness of nonviolent action (civil disobedience)?

2) How do MLK Jr’s views parallel those of Thoreau?

Seminar Prep Questions:

1) Do you agree with Thoreau’s philosophy of "Civil Disobedience"?  Why or why not?

2) Is “Civil Disobedience” a sound method for promoting social change?  In what ways is it effective?  What are its flaws?  Is there a better way?

3) Do the current protests qualify as “Civil Disobedience”?  What would Thoreau say to the current protesters?  

Civil Disobedience

According to Thoreau...
1)  What is the relationship between an individual and his or her government?
2)  What is a citizen's duty if his or her government behaves unjustly?

Homework:  Lit Circle tomorrow 30-37