English 10 Unit 3:
The Persistence of Memory
Welcome to English 10 Unit 3: The Persistence of Memory
Unit objective can be found below...
Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (497–406 B.C.E.) is one of the foundational works of dramatic Western art. First performed at the religious festivals held as ceremonies of worship by the citizens of Athens, in 429 B.C.E., it depicts the tragic undoing of King Oedipus as he faces the dark secrets of his origins. It belongs to a trilogy of plays called the Theban plays, all set in the kingdom of Thebes and featuring the same characters: Oedipus; his daughters, Antigone and Ismene; and sons, Polynices and Eteocles.
In this unit, students will write a narrative in response to this prompt:
How can memories or previous knowledge shape our future?
Reflect on the novel studied in this unit and how it deals with the memories and dreams of characters. Create an original narrative in which the protagonist is driven to action by the discovery of an old prophecy. Use what you have learned from this play and your own prior knowledge to inform your writing. You may choose to write about an imagined character or you may write a personal narrative reflecting your own experiences. Be sure to describe the prophecy and to make the connection between this prophecy and the primary conflict of your narrative.
Rituals of Memory
Oedipus Rex is perhaps the central work on the conflict between fate and free will, and lent its name to the inventor of modern psychology, Sigmund Freud, when he identified the Oedipus complex, the primal urge of a male child to kill his father and marry his mother. The play is continually in production somewhere on the planet. The structure of the play is built on established forms of ancient ritual from which theater came: a prologue is followed by five episodes, each preceded by a conversation of the Chorus with itself, in opposed strophe and antistrophe. (The Chorus is one character with many bodies and voices, speaking all at once and as one.) Students will find, through the play’s ancient and rigid forms, which are so alien to our contemporary sensibilities, a captivating story full of anguish, pity, and truth.
Facial Expressions
Are humans hardwired to express emotions in a certain way? If not, how can we trust our “readings” of other people’s expressions? The informational text “Facial expressions—including fear—may not be as universal as we thought” examines new research and challenges long-held assumptions about how people communicate their emotions through facial expressions.
Oedipus Part III
How important country and culture in shaping who you become? In this lesson, students understand how experiences from youth can leave a lasting imprint on one’s identity.
Seeing at the Speed of Sound
Memories reveal both the challenges and triumphs protagonists and people experience. After reading and completing writing intensive assignments, students may reflect on the power of memories to capture emotions.
Anchor Text
In this section, the Chorus laments the fate of Oedipus as he confronts the fact he has fulfilled the prophecy.
Narrative Writing
Students will use revision and editing techniques to finalize their culminating narrative writing task