THIS WEEK WE WILL FINISH THE CRUCIBLE AND SHIFT to a unit on gender related literature, the core text being Kate Chopin's controversial novella, The Awakening. Through the protagonist Edna Pontillier, Chopin explores the themes of marital infidelity, women's equality (in work and in society). We will also explore our first unit of poetry, reading various works across all of American literary history.

Monday

No class due to late start.
HW: Hard copy of your paper is due tomorrow.

Tuesday

Reading papers and revising them together, in class. Please be prepared to read your paper aloud. In class, we will discuss argumentative structure and stylistic quality.
HW: Plan out your reasons, writing answers to the question, "Why is your claim true?"

Wednesday

No school for testing, PSAT or PLAN.
HW: First, best draft of your Crucible paper is due tomorrow.

Thursday

We will start with a short reflection on your essay, and you will staple it to the top of your essay. Lecture on Creole culture and background on Chopin's The Awakening. We will read chapters one and two together in class, using the audio.
HW: Begin a relationship chart for Edna and Leonce, tracking their responses, motivations, interests. You should read chapter three as well, adding that to your notes.

Friday

Reading a non-fiction source on gender politics relating to Miller's The Crucible, analyzing it for author's purpose, author's background and expertise, structure and argument. We will also endeavor to answer this question: What question does the author (seek to) answer, via this article? Subsequently, we will return to Chopin's novella, looking into the author's biography.
HW: Read chapters 3 through 5 for class on Monday.