Modernism Literature Circles F15
You will each choose a novel from this literary era. After you have chosen, you will form novel groups.
As you read, your overarching questions are: How does the author develop his/her theme(s)? What stylistic choices does he/she make to show the theme(s)?
When considering theme, you must consider the historical and socio-political ramifications of the era and the philosophical question of realism and naturalism.
As you read, you will keep a reader’s journal that will be turned in every time you meet as a group. In this reader’s journal, you will note the following with quotes and page numbers:
- Deliberate stylistic choices that reveal theme (setting, diction, dialect, characterization, tone, motif, symbolism, conflict, etc.)
- Quotes or phrases that reveal theme or author’s philosophy of naturalism/realism
- Connections you can make to historical or socio-political issues of the era
- Connections you can make between the issues of the era and to contemporary times
- 3 Critical Questions about the book so far using the over-arching question to guide your specific questions
You should have 3-4 entries per chapter/section of the novel.
Modernism Concepts: Disillusionment is a major theme in writings of this time period.
Self –examination and dissatisfaction with self; Paralysis; Loss of faith in government/authority
Self-Reliance is a continuing theme – self reliance in the face of disillusionment of government/ authority
During the literature circle meetings:
- Take turns asking your questions and getting answers.
- Take turns sharing your Modernism passages and explain why you chose the passage you did – why it was important or caught your attention.
- After the Q&A and concepts, each of you share one of your comments about the section.
Novel Choices:
The Great Gatsby
Catcher in the Rye
Of Mice and Men
*Old Man in the Sea (we don’t have this one, but you can download it)
Glass Menagerie - play
Streetcar Named Desire – play
Death of a Salesman - play