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

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

Conner really wants to say "Okay, sure!" Feeling like a jailer doesn't sit well with him, but it is the assignment, so . . .

He crosses his arms over his chest even though body language probably doesn't count in this exercise. "Sorry. I'd love to, but I can't do that."

Ow, guilt.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[notajar]

She listens to the words, as that's what this lesson seems meant to be about. Sorry, and can't, and love to. Which would all seem to indicate reluctance to keep her here.

Or, of course, pleasant fakery, but she's going to go with the first.

"But it's lonely in here," she says plaintively.

And then she flees to dental hell with the pokey cleany thing omg

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

Hey, Conner's not stupid even though he puts up a good impression of it sometimes; the whole meteor incident proved that. He is reluctant to keep her there, but that's him and not the character whose role he's supposed to be assuming. Okay, McKnight, pick your words better.

"Less lonely than it is out here with the man-eating lizards."

Yeah, that might be too much of a tactical switch.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[notajar]

"But I'm a woman," she points out. "If anything you're in danger from the man-eating lizards. You should let me out so I can protect you."

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

Yeah, one of these days Conner will actually think before he opens his mouth and lets words come out of it.

Today is not that day, clearly.

"Well, you don't want them to decide women are just as tasty and go after you too, do you? I mean, I'm sure they'll think you're pretty yummy, so . . ."

Talk about digging yourself into a hole? Conner's mouth is a steam shovel.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[notajar]

"No, no, women are smaller and have less meat on the bone. They'll go after you first. And I can certainly defend myself or you wouldn't have locked me away in here in the first place."

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[connernotconnor.livejournal.com]

"So you're the appetizer and I'm the main course. And . . ." Conner flails a bit, mentally. "These man-eating lizards are real sticklers for eating their meals in the proper order." Wow, this was so much easier before.

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

[notajar]

"But they won't be expecting the appetizer to fight back! I'm just a weak, innocent girl, after all." Right, nevermind that she in fact probably couldn't fight man-eating lizards. A randomly-violent Bertha Mason probably could.