Digital Streaming Literature Overview A Glimpse at Readings for the Year

Why Read? SOL: Reading Analysis 9.3 The student will read and analyze a variety of literature -Identify format, text structure, and main idea. -Identify the characteristics that distinguish literary forms. -Use literary terms in describing and analyzing selections. -Explain the relationship between and among elements of literature: characters, plot, setting, tone, point of view, and theme. -Explain the relationship between the author’s style and literary effect. -Describe the use of images and sounds to elicit the reader’s emotions. -Explain the influence of historical context on the form, style, and point of view of a written work.

Discussion Warm-Up What books can you all remember reading recently? Can any of you remember authors you have read? Fiction? Poetry? Why do you think it is important to read? Does it help in examining the elements of literature? Example: character, setting, point of view etc. Does reading help us know what is going on in the world? Do we learn through newspapers, internet, magazines, etc? Don’t we read everyday?

Introducing the videos- What the clips represent 6 Short Video Clips all serve as an introduction to each piece of literature. Focus is on American Novel and Poetry The clips are set up to introduce the material and give you an idea of the main characters and setting of the book.

Background Information The Great Gatsby Who is familiar with The Great Gatsby? The Great Gatsby is by Francis Scott Fitzgerald It is an American Novel Published in 1925 it is set in New York City after WW1

Video #1- The Great Gatsby

Post Viewing Question The Great Gatsby How do you think this film (book) will reflect the culture and history of its time period?

Background Information The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Has anyone read or heard of Huck Finn? If so what is it about? Huck Finn is by Ernest Hemingway Known as the book “by which all American Literature came.” Published in 1885

Video #2- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Post Viewing Questions Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Huck Finn has always been a controversial book because it deals with issues of slavery, race, gender, and class. Do you think that at the time of publication it was hard for people to accept changes in these issues? How does Huck Finn fit into the culture of that time period?

Background Information Moby Dick Has anyone heard of or ready Moby Dick? Published in 1851 by Herman Melville The language is very symbolic, lots of themes run through the book This book is categorized as American Romanticism

Video #3- Moby Dick

Post-Viewing Question Moby Dick This book targets the main character reflecting on the past and struggling to find happiness. Do you think that in 1851 people struggled with the same issues we do today. Reflection and regret and a desire to be happy?

Background Information The Scarlet Letter Who has read or heard of The Scarlet Letter? The Scarlet Letter is by Nathaniel Hawthorne Published in 1850 it is set in Puritan New England in the 17 th century Categorized as a Gothic American Romance

Video #4- The Scarlet Letter

Post-Viewing Question The Scarlet Letter The main character battles a lot of internal struggles. Ideas of grace, legalism, and guilt are explored. Do you think that in the Puritan days it was harder for individuals to express their problems and concerns? Think back to what we already know about the 17 th century.

Background Information The Odyssey Who has heard of or ready The Odyssey? Greek epic poem Attributed to the poet Homer and dates back to BC Concerns the fall of a great hero in his journeys post the fall of Troy.

Video #5- The Odyssey

Post-Viewing Question The Odyssey The Odyssey will be a little harder to read than American Literature, however, do you think it is important for us to broaden our horizons and read literature from all over the world? Our major focus is on the main character. Given what you just saw do you think we are dealing with a happy or tragic ending?

Background Information The Grapes of Wrath The Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939 by John Steinbeck. It was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature and is read in high schools and colleges worldwide. Set during the Great Depression and centers around poor families trying to get by in this time period.

Video #6- The Grapes of Wrath

Post-Viewing Questions The Grapes of Wrath Do you think this novel will help you gain a better sense of life during the Great Depression? Does some literature help us understand history?

Follow Up Questions These six clips have introduced pieces we will read and discuss. Is it helpful to see parts of the literature visually? Do you gain a stronger sense of the characters appearance and setting? Do you think that some of these readings will also build our knowledge in history?