English 11 May 16, 2016

Today’s Standards Grammar Understanding faulty diction in writing Literature Determine the themes of a text and analyze their development Vocabulary Determine the meaning of unknown words using multiple strategies including

Grammar Understanding faulty diction in writing Page 82

Vocabulary Standard Determine the meaning of unknown words using multiple strategies *Activity *vocabulary 16 Last one

Literature Standard: Determine the themes of a text and analyze their development Theme of “The Overcoat”: A material possession can be part of a person’s identity Symbol: read page921

Literature Book page 920 Gogol suffered from….most of his life Gogol had a sense….. In his writing Many of his works contain elements of … He is regarded as the founder of…

“The Overcoat” Book, page 922 Observations: Note the author “digresses.” This is part of his humor The name Shoenik is meant to symbolize the clerk’s character: easily walked or stepped on Questions: Describe his appearance Where is he employed? How did he get his name?

“The Overcoat” Page 923 Observations: Prior to carbon paper or photocopiers, people had to copy by hand. This is the clerk’s job. Questions: How is he regarded at work?

“The Overcoat” Page 924 Observations: This page has the first mention of the coat. Called a frock here, a nineteenth century term for double breasted coat. Questions: What do his co-workers suggest about his land lady? What causes people to band together to pick on other people? How is he bullied? How does he react? Does anyone see the wrong in it? How does the clerk react to being promoted?

“The Overcoat” Page 925 Observations: Akaky’s interest in the letters addressed to important personages foreshadows a role that an important person will play later in his life. What did Akaky do in his spare time as opposed to other copy clerks? In Petersburg, what is the enemy? What is revealed by the fact that people’s overcoats are “threadbare”?

“The Overcoat” Page 926 Observations: “…but since it has become a fashion to give a thorough description…” He is poking fun at literary conventions The toenail! Gross! May be a symbol of a Devil’s hoof.

“The Overcoat” Page 927 Author pokes fun at Germans. Stereotype? Based on the first few paragraphs, how does the author create a sense of impending doom? Based on what has already been said about the overcoat, and now knowing this tailor has mended it in the past, do you think he is a good tailor?

“The Overcoat” Page 928 Observation: It is important to keep in mind the cultural context of the story. In this society, it is impossible to simply go into a story and buy an overcoat. One must hire a tailor to create one from scratch. Why was Akaky thinking he would have better luck with the tailor on Sunday morning? Did he?

“The Overcoat” Page 929 Observations: Note the sacrifices he is planning to make. They are not for entertainment, but for necessities. What is the coat starting to symbolize for Akaky?

“The Overcoat” Page 930 Why do you think Petrovich takes such pride in the making of the overcoat? Why do you think the overcoat has such an powerful effect on Akaky? What is it starting to symbolize?

“The Overcoat” Page 931 Why do you think he would try to convince the other clerks it “wasn’t a new overcoat at all”?

“The Overcoat” Page 932 How has the coat transformed his character? How does this relate to its symbolic meaning? How does this help to bring about the theme? Note the tremendous contrast between the rich and poor in Russia at this time. There is a description of a store window that seems fine to us, but would have been considered risque at the time of the story.

“The Overcoat” Page 933 “…that the houses opposite were hardly visable beyond its sinister emptiness.” FORESHADOW Notice that despite his acquisition of the overcoat, Akaky still does not fit in with the other clerks. Keep in mind what the overcoat has come to mean to Akaky. What may happen to him now?

“The Overcoat” Page 934 What might this passage reveal about the author’s opinion of the Petersberg Police Department? Notice the commissioner’s line of questioning. Who does he want to blame? Why? Notice Gogol does not reveal the name of the “important personage” or any other bureaucrat. Why might he do this?

“The Overcoat” Page 935 Notice the “important personage” is speechless before his subordinates. This parallels Akaky’s speechlessness to his superiors. Do you think this “important personage” is a sympathetic character? Why or why not?

“The Overcoat” Page 936 There is a contrast between the “important personage” and Akaky in the fact that the former wants to stand out and Akaky wants to blend in. Do you think the “important personage” is responsible for Akaky’s illness? Why or why not?

Homework Vocabulary: June 1 Book Report