THE ODYSSEY

By the end of this unit, students will be able to: discuss the epic in relation to historical and literary-historical contexts; identify, examine, and discuss the use of imagery and figurative language (simile, metaphor, and symbolism); discuss how the main male and female characters reflect the expectations of their society; trace the development of the main character, noting his/her traits, emotions, motivations, and how and why he/she changes; analyze the importance of literary elements like theme, dramatic irony, and foreshadowing on the development of the story; analyze the author’s use of language (diction and imagery) and its importance in setting mood and establishing character; identify, analyze, and apply knowledge of the characteristics, themes, structure, and elements of the epic; identify and analyze how the author’s diction appeals to the senses, creates imagery, suggests mood, and sets tone; examine the rhetorical and organizational structures and use of arguments within the text; identify and analyze the point(s) of view in a literary work and analyze how varying points of view affect the literary work; analyze patterns of imagery or symbolism and connect them to themes and/or tone and mood; and examine how the themes presented in the text represent a view or comment on societal expectations from the author’s society. 97 pages. ©2012.