11.10.10

1. 11.10.10 Directions: Take out TSL HW for me to come check Drill: • Was there or was there not a scarlet letter on Dimmesdale’s breast? • How is The Scarlet Letter a frame story? • How does Hawthorne end the story with a final touch of symbolism?

2. SWBAT • write a brief reflection about the relevancy of The Scarlet Letter after participating in a Fish Bowl discussion focused on important concepts. This will also serve as a review… HW: TSL test tomorrow bring books and novel cards

3. Fishbowl: • Chairs and desks are arranged in an inner circle and outer circle. The inner circle is the fishbowl. • Every student needs to be partnered up. One student will sit in “the fishbowl” and one student will observe the “fish bowl.” • In the fishbowl, one chair is left empty. This is the “hot seat.” • The teacher will introduce topics and students will start discussing the topic. The audience outside the fishbowl listen in on the discussion and record observations on their tally sheets. • In a fishbowl, any member of the outer circle can, at any time, occupy the empty chair and join the fishbowl. When this happens, that student is next to “have the floor.” • When time runs out, the fishbowl will be closed and the teacher will summarizes the discussion. • Then, the outer circle will switch positions with the inner circle.

4. TSL Discussion Questions: • "In science, read, by preference, the newest works; in literature, the oldest. The classic literature is always modern." • Is The Scarlet Letter, an example of this quote?

5. How is the setting relevant? • Is this Puritanical Boston pertinent to today? • What type of connections can you make about modern times and the setting of The Scarlet Letter?

6. Is Hester a feminist character? Would this story change if she was a male? How does gender play a role in this story?

7. A universal theme in the novel: • Selfishness only leads you to where you don't want to be. • How is this evident in the story? • How does this connect to modern times?

8. How are children presented in this novel? • How do children impact the story or relevant themes?

9. How are names used in this novel? • What is the significance of certain characters’ names?

10. What is the significance of clothes, material, and thread? What is the significance of the color of clothing? • What is the significance of the “A”?

11. An allegory in literature is a story where characters, objects, and events have a hidden meaning and are used to present some universal lesson. Hawthorne has a perfect atmosphere for the symbols in The Scarlet Letter because the Puritans saw the world through allegory. For them, simple patterns, like the meteor streaking through the sky, became religious or moral interpretations for human events. Objects, such as the scaffold, were ritualistic symbols for such concepts as sin and penitence. Explain how this novel uses symbols to create an allegory.

12. How is TSL a romance? • Psychological? • Gothic? • Dark Romantic?

13. While many critics have imposed various structures on this novel, the scaffold scenes are by far the most popular means of pointing out the perfect balance of Hawthorne's masterpiece. These scenes unite the plot, themes, and symbols in a perfect balance. • Explain how the three scaffold scenes do this.

14. Discuss the function of the following minor characters: Mistress Hibbins, Governor Bellingham, and Mr. Wilson.

15. Describe Pearl's future after the novel ends. Does she marry? Have a family? What is her life like? Be sure your choices are consistent with what you know about Pearl and the events at the end of the novel.

16. Discuss how the following themes some to surface in TSL • Public Guilt vs. Private Guilt • Punishment vs. Forgiveness • Sin and Judgment • Civilization vs. Wilderness • The Town vs. the Woods

17. Exit/Assessment: • Write “Complete on W.S.” • Complete on bottom of tally worksheet.