fandomhigh | Heroism, Humanism & Hijinks: Literature in Action

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."

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Rory crossed her arms around herself. "I find your insinuations not only insulting but inappropriate."

"Don't. Don't dismiss me like that. You've locked me in an attic. If I am insane, what do you expect? Ever see the tigers in the zoo? Pacing back and forth, back and forth? They weren't born like that. You keep me up here and then dismiss me? You can't even bother to reassure me."

"Actually," Rory said, adopting a pedantic tone, "that's perfectly normal feline behavior. Housecats do it too, as do tigers in the wild. It's part of indicating territory. That said, emotional rhetoric isn't going to gain any territory, so you'd do best to go back to pacing."

"Really, so the whole `cage crazy` thing is just a myth?" Yeah Billy may have broke charector a little bit there.

Rory shrugged. "It may exist. I just know that's natural cat behavior."

"Huh, something to look up later. Anyway where was I?"

"Staying in the attic," Rory replied. "You're not getting out since if you're so devoted to the cause of getting out, you shouldn't be finding tangents so easily."

"You keep trying to use logic on me and has it ever worked yet? You know the definition of insanity? Trying the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Which one of us belongs in an attic hmm?"

Yeah Billy was trying not to laugh.

Rory just gave him a look. "Someone's reaching the end of his tactics."

Billy shrugged. "I was trained to fight not negotiate."

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

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!

Re: Pair Up and Defend Yourself!