 |
Grade Level:
9 - 12
Literary Form:
British Novel
10 Lesson Plans/33 Handouts/87 Pages
ISBN:978-1-56077-725-0
Description:
Published in 1896, Thomas Hardy’s Jude the Obscure created a stir of controversy. The subject matter—unhappy marriages, love outside of marriage, unfair societal systems of the day—shocked Victorian sensibilities. It is the touching story of a young man trying to make his way and better himself, only to be thwarted at every turn. Jude’s simple good-heartedness gets him little more than a broken heart in a world where social standing and blind convention rule. The story is an unfortunate reminder of all the considerations other than merit that go into the making of a person. The novel was written during the twilight of the strict, conventional, and often prudish Victorian era. Like most of the artists of the time, Hardy criticizes some elements of Victorian culture, and often focuses on religion. Hardy’s writing illustrates a belief in soul mates and lifelong loves. He believed that the universe was uncaring, and that the world was filled with institutions designed to exclude. Only love and kindness offer hope.
Activities:
This unit, geared towards advanced students, helps develop the critical thinking and research skills needed for college work. Using a variety of interactive, creative, and individual activities, lessons promote literary analysis and historical understanding. Lessons begin with an introduction to Victorian culture and then moves chronologically through the novel, examining also Thomas Hardy’s life and its correspondence with the novel. Specific activities include character analysis, comparing and contrasting with the classical structure of tragedy, creative rewriting, role-playing, research on cultural history, identification of major literary movements, examinations of setting, the reading of original contemporary reviews, biographical research on Hardy, research of allusions in the text.
Supplementary materials feature a unit test with answer key and a selection of timed essay topics appropriate for preparing students for the Advanced Placement exam.
Ethical Values:
Compassion
Endurance
Equality
Family commitment
Self-discipline
|
