The Scarlet Letter

4/14: response on initial drafts (complete rough drafts are due in class on Friday). We read "TSL shame and guilt" and "English- TSL Critique'" attached below.

For Thursday, 4/11: Tonight, finish the novel. Tomorrow in class I will ask you to write about the end (especially chapter 22-24) in light of this quote from Roger Cohen’s essay in the Times today: “…be aware that love alone redeems human affairs.” The question is, would Hawthorne agree and why, given the end of the novel. I will ask you to support your answer using 3 specific clear pieces of evidence from these chapters. It will count as a quiz grade.

In class n 4.10: We worked on "TSL Romantic close read," and "TSL chap 23." We also wrote in blue books about 3 pieces of Romantic art (pieces are attached below : Thomas Cole, Bierdstat and Homer). For each piece, describe what you see for 5 minutes. After you have completed this for all three, look at the Romantic trait notes I gave you and apply the Rmantic traits to the art. Write 1 page: be specific.

quiz in class on 4/7 (chapters 19-21). Make it up if you were out. Finish the novel by Wednesday 4/10

in class on 4/3: These two close reading sections give us a better look at Dimmesdale’s character and his motivations (attached below "TSL Dinnmesdale.") Mark up the close reading, then on a piece of paper, write ma a paragraph telling me what you learned about his character and why that might be important. Then. go back over one of the chapter 12 and find another section to close read (about Dimmesdale’s motivation). Write down the page numbers and first and last lines. Bullet (on the same piece of paper as the paragraph) what you notice in that close read and add to your ideas about his character. Turn these in at the end of the period. Read through chapter 18 for tonight.

index card (4/1): explore the idea of Pearl's association to the scarlet letter by close reading sections on pages 93-95, 97. On the front of the ides card, bullet words and phrases from the reading that speak to Pearl and the letter. On the back, reflect about what you discovered. What is Hawthorne saying about the connection between the two? Why does that connection matter? Fill the back of the card. Make sure that yu are thinking about Romantic traits (from the notes posted below: "TSL Romanticism") as you read for Thursday.

Blue book response: Please listen to two clips from This American Life ("Baby Not on Board" and "The Road to Badness"). This caught my attention this past weekend because I was thinking about Pearl's character. While you listen, jot down notes about what you hear, then react. First react to the ideas presented, then try to make connections to the character of Pearl, how she is viewed by Hester, by others and even by you as a reader at this point. Write at least a page of reaction/reflection.

Weekend of 3/28: read through chapter 9. We will be looking more closely on Monday in class at the lenses you applied yesterday.

In class (and homework) 3/27: American Lit: Your first order of business today is to close read a few sections to get a handle on Chillingworth’s character. Take notes on your blue book as we did for Gatsby for all three of these sections. First, look at the close read from yesterday (the second one) for Hester’s memory of him. Then, close read his first appearance in the novel on page 56 (At his arrival…on his lips) Finally, look at the conversation between Chillingworth and Hester on 69-70 (“ ‘Thou knowest…Not the less he shall be mine!’’) After you bullet the words and phrases, write a paragraph exploring how what you have noticed affects the characterization of Chillingworth, of his relationship with Hester, of how Hawthorne is shaping our view.

At 9:45 the sub is going to ask you to work in pairs or groups of three (no more than three). I would like you to play with one of the lenses we talked about last week. Together, choose an idea form one of the lenses to apply to The Scarlet Letter. On the front of a notecard: bullet notes/examples using a particular lens and applying it to what you have read so far (write down examples and page numbers so I can follow your thinking – of course everyone in your group will be writing down the same things). Tonight, for homework, read chapter 6 and look for new evidence for your lens ideas. On the back of the notecard: write about discoveries you made while reading chapter 6 (about Pearl, about the setting, etc.) AND make connections to the work you did in class today with the lenses. Fill the back of the card.

Beginning The Scarlet Letter: This weekend, read through at least the first four chapters (I am going to ask you to read through chapter 5 for Wednesday, so plan your time accordingly): On the front of the notecard, keep track of the way that Hawthorne is shaping the view of the Puritans. Make a list of things he says/shows to help shape a particular view of the Puritans. On the back of the notecard: write about what you know about Hester’s character – look for her physical description and her actions. Make note of specific sections and pull out specific words and phrases to help you. Fill the card.