After reading through the novel and collecting evidence on Curley's Wife and Crooks' portrayals, we are going to put on our critical hats and explore this novel like a college student would. Because you guys are wicked smart.
______________________________________________________________________________
Objective:
To answer the questions:
1. Are the issues Lennie and George face still present today? What is the situation of today's migrant farm worker?
2. What were Steinbeck's views about blacks and women? Did they match up with the dominant views of blacks and women in the 1930s?
3. How are Curley's Wife and Crooks portrayed in the novel up to this point?
4. Did Steinbeck impose his views on his readers consciously or subconsciously?"
______________________________________________________________________________
Q: How are we going to answer these questions, you ask?
A: Well, you are going to answer these questions in class and at home using the guide below!
Then, next class, we will discuss your answers!
Please write your answers for each question on a separate sheet of paper (To Be Collected).
For the required "comment" question (#3), comment on this blog page IN ADDITION TO your handwritten answers.
______________________________________________________________________________
If you prefer a paper copy, download here: 1930s race and gender hw
1. Are the issues Lennie and George face still present today? What is the situation of today's migrant farm worker?
Let's explore the dominant views about women and African Americans in the 1930s.
A. Do you think that the plight of the migrant worker is still an issue? Let's explore this website to learn about the migrant worker after the 1930s. http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/migrants.html
B. http://www.economist.com/node/17722932 Read this article in 'The Economist" and think about the issues of the migrant worker today. Do they suffer more/less than Lennie and George? What are the similarities/differences?
2. What were Steinbeck's views about blacks and women? Did they match up with the dominant views of blacks and women in the 1930s?
Let's learn more about this "Steinbeck" guy by reading these articles and web posts. Would you call him racist and/or sexist in his portrayal of Crooks/Curley's Wife, or would you call him a product of his time period? Use evidence from one source.
REQUIRED Race: Blacks in 1930s Great Depression and African-Americans
If you're interested here are some extra (not required) readings...
Good Example of Evidence of Steinbeck Reinforcing Racism from OMM
What were Steinbeck's views in the 1950s and 60s?
Notes on Steinbeck and Race
REQUIRED Women: Women and the Dust Bowl: INTERVIEWS Steinbeck and Misogyny in OF MICE AND MEN
If you're interested...take a look:
Steinbeck and his female characters in EAST OF EDEN
Steinbeck's Women
3. How are Curley's Wife and Crooks portrayed in the novel up to this point?
Answer this question using the graphic organizer you have been filling out at home. Please share your thoughts on question #3 (above) using the COMMENTS tab below. This will generate group discussion. You MUST create your own comment, and after that, you can go back and reply to your peers.
4. Did Steinbeck impose his views on his readers consciously or subconsciously?
This is where the real thinking happens! To guide your response, use these questions: What do you think - did Steinbeck know what he was doing in creating one-dimensional plot devices out of his only female and black characters, or was he a product of his time period? Was his portrayal of Curley's Wife sexist? Why or why not? Was his portrayal of Crooks racist? Why or why not? (This question is a warm-up for your final assessment.)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Homework: Answer all questions on a separate sheet of paper. Use the blog to COMMENT on question #3.
Rubric:
___/10 Student answers each question on a separate sheet of paper and in complete sentences.
___/10 Each answer is at least five sentences in length.
___/10 Each answer includes at least two quotes from the readings.
___/10 Student's answers indicate that he/she did a thorough, careful job reading through the required sources.
No comments:
Post a Comment