Brighton Beach Memoirs
Unit Overview
Purpose: Our study of Neil Simon’s Brighton Beach Memoirs will serve two purposes: this play will help us to understand how writers use comedy and comedic methods to satirically comment on life, society, and culture; this play will also help us continue to practice the writing of a Q3 Open Response Essay. Students will be introduced to a list of terms related to the drama, the writing of comedy, and types of comedies. Students will complete a free writing, annotations and two close readings, one analytical paragraph, class discussion notes, and one final formative timed Q3 essay.
Essential Questions:
- What is the purpose of comedy?
- How is drama as a genre different from other genres such as prose and poetry?
- How do “coming of age” moments define and shape us as individuals?
- How does culture shape and impact our individual identity as well as our community identity?
Learning Activities:
- In-Class Reading of Play
- Creative Writing: Imitation Piece--Looking at tension in dialogue to develop character and character relationships.
- Portland Stage Live Performance!