Heroism, Humanism & Hijinks: Literature in Action - Week 3, Period 5

[no-toast-thanks.livejournal.com]

Dummies' Guide to Jane Eyre (cast list and plot synopsis)

"Hello again. You should have read Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte for this class. If you haven't, you don't need to be here, but you should come to my office hours next Monday to arrange a make-up assignment.

You'll notice that these classes are not standard high school English classes. Anyone with a basic understanding of written language can pick up a book, read it and then discuss the contents and form. By the time Christmas arrives, I want you to be able to grasp the importance of fiction and words in general.

Words are important and powerful. Used properly, they can create beautiful imagery or affect change. Used improperly, well, all you need do is look to your local politicians to see the effects.

Right," she said, looking around. "Split into two groups. Pair up. We're focusing on the mad woman in the attic today. That would be Bertha Mason. Mr Rochester kept Bertha in the attic. She has always been described as crazy, and on more than one occasion has shown her violent side. But she is still a fictional character. The best way to keep her confined and under control is through words, not brute force.

One of you will play the role of Bertha Mason. The other will play the role of Rochester. Gender isn't important here. Bertha, you want to escape your attic prison. Mr Rochester, you want to keep her there. The only tools at your disposal to attack and defend are words and the thesaurus on your desk. Choose your words wisely."

***

After the task was finished, Thursday was ready to dismiss them. "Next week is Alice in Wonderland. There will be a guest speaker, so please arrive on time."

Comments

Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[no-toast-thanks.livejournal.com]

Find a partner. Decide who's Bertha and who's Rochester (gender doesn't matter). Bertha - use words to get yourself out of your situation (ie: "escape", "freedom", "falling anvil"). Rochester - keep her in there (ie: "containment", "fear", "Guantanamo Bay").

Battle of the words. There's a thesaurus on the desk if needed.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[twohalvesofaphd.livejournal.com]

Zack looked for a partner.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

Cameron was looking for one, so he moved over to sit opposite Zack. "So, you wanna be the woman in the attic or Rochester?"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[twohalvesofaphd.livejournal.com]

Zack shrugged. "I can be the woman."

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[cameronmitchell.livejournal.com]

"Okay," Cameron might have been a tiny bit relieved as he wasn't sure how good he was at being a ranting chick. "Bertha! Don't you want to try out the new Care Bear blankets that I bought you?"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[ktarian-wildman.livejournal.com]

Naomi was looking around for a partner

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

Lana came over to Naomi. "Need a partner?" she asked.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[ktarian-wildman.livejournal.com]

Naomi nodded, "yes,"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[lovelylana.livejournal.com]

"Do you want to be Mr. Rochester or the crazy woman?"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

Conner really, really hoped he wouldn't have to be the woman here as he scanned the room for a partner.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[notajar]

Door's having a bit of trouble trying to get into the mindset of somebody who could be trapped inside something, which... probably indicates she ought to be taking that role, all things considered. She waves at Conner. "Need a partner who's leaving for a dental appt in an hour or so, woe?"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

Conner who's busy and stuck on slowplay anyway but gah, dentist, woe jogs over when he sees Door wave. "Sure! Which one do you want to be?"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[notajar]

"Well, I've never been locked away before." At least not for longer than a few seconds...

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[multiplez]

Z looked around for a partner.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[x5-alec.livejournal.com]

"Hey, long time no see," Alec said, sidling closer with a grin. "Need a partner?"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[multiplez]

"I'm sure you've just been pining away missing me," Z said, returning his grin. "Sure, I'll be your partner."

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[x5-alec.livejournal.com]

"A day without Z is a day incomplete," he said, smiling as he teased. "You want to be the crazy lady or her husband?"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

If Billy didn't find a partner he supposed he'd have to argue with himself.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

Rory gave a small wave. "Hey. I'm Rory."

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[l1ttle-billy.livejournal.com]

Billy nodded to her. "I'm Billy. You wanna be crazy or sane?"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[auroryborealis.livejournal.com]

"Sane, please," Rory requested. "I'm not very good at crazy."

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

Dawn looked around for a partner, trying not to feel too much like the last kid picked in gym class.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[proudsidekick.livejournal.com]

Layla looked around as well, and found someone looking just as alone as herself. "Hey, do you have a partner yet?"

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[lilpunkinbelly.livejournal.com]

She smiled and shook her head. "Uh uh. I'm Dawn."

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[ihatedenmark.livejournal.com]

Hamlet looked around for a partner for the activity although the mun suspected that it was too late to find one.