FACING OUR INNER DRAGONS: DIGGING DEEPER INTO CONFLICT A SPECIAL PRESENTATION BY MRS. DAVIS FOR CLASS4-315

INTRODUCTION: INNER DRAGONS We have started to think deeply about conflicts in texts and especially in the fantasies we have been reading but now we will dig deeper with inner struggles characters face.

INTRO: INNER DRAGONS Sometimes these inner struggles appear as symbolic objects or creatures. We are also going to think about what our stories are really about and important life lessons as we go deeper on our “fantastic” journeys.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT ( WE WILL COME BACK TO IT): “PERHAPS ALL THE DRAGONS IN OUR LIVES ARE PRINCESSES WHO ARE ONLY WAITING TO SEE US ACT, JUST ONCE WITH BEAUTY AND COURAGE. PERHAPS EVERYTHING THAT FRIGHTENS US IS, IN ITS DEEPEST ESSENCE, SOMETHING HELPLESS THAT WANTS OUR LOVE. (FACING DOWN THE DRAGON).

INNER DRAGONS Back in the olden days when English mapmakers were creating their literal understanding of the world, they thought it was dangerous. “Here be Dragons” symbolized the host of unknown dangers that travelers might encounter. Here be dragons" is a phrase used to denote dangerous or unexplored territories, in imitation of the medieval practice of putting sea serpents and other mythological creatures in blank areas of maps.

INNER DRAGONS According to Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, "The animal called a dragon is a winged crocodile with a serpent's tail; whence the words serpent and dragon are sometimes interchangeable."  Furthermore, says Brewer, the word "dragon" was used "by ecclesiastics of the Middle Ages as the symbol of sin in general. most medieval maps have serpents in southern Africa (i.e. southernmost part of habitable world).

INNER DRAGONS Several Map historians mentioned that numerous terrifying and amazing beasts appeared on the sorts of map in question.  These included many which are not considered mythical today (e.g. elephants, walruses, lions), but would have been just as fantastic as a dragon to contemporaries.

INNER DRAGONS The only place that you can find it is on the Hunt-Lenox globe – a small bronze globe created in the 16th century.*  The magical words appear off the eastern coast of China.

INNER DRAGONS Here by dragons symbolized the host of unknown dangers that travelers might encounter. Some of the dragons that characters face are metaphoric dragons. One way readers explore these dragons is to consider the inner struggles that characters face. These are the conflicts inside a character’s soul that haunt that character. Powerful readers learn to think metaphorically about these dragons.

INNER DRAGONS So today, let’s think about the dragons, inner demons or inner struggles facing the characters in our stories.

INNER DRAGONS Think about the inner dragons facing your main characters. What is haunting the main character? (IN TERMS OF INNER FEARS AND SELF-CONFLICT). What does he or she have to do in order to overcome the inner dragon? Apply this to what you are reading independently as well as for your book club books. You may also jot down other “life lessons” that are emerging (and make sure you cite textual evidence).

INNER DRAGONS NOW GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING QUOTE AND REFLECT AND RESPOND: HOW DOES IT RELATE TO THE BOOK YOUR READING INDEPENDENTLY OR YOUR BOOK CLUB BOOK?

INNER DRAGONS HOW HAS IT APPLIED TO ANOTHER STORY YOU HAVE ALREADY READ? SHARE AND DISCUSS WITH YOUR “TURN AND TALK” PARTNERS.

INNER DRAGONS: FOR HOMEWORK: REFLECT AND RESPOND TO "Facing Down the Dragon ~poem~" by Deborah Soukup. WHAT DO YOU THINK IT MEANS? PROVIDE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR INSIGHT. HOW DOES IT CONNECT TO ANOTHER TEXT? EXPLAIN THE CONNECTION. PREPARE AT LEAST TWO OF YOUR OWN HIGH LEVEL THINKING QUESTIONS TO ACCOMPANY THE POEM. BE PREPARED TO SHARE YOUR INSIGHT. WE WILL DISCUSS “SOCRATIC SEMINAR” STYLE!

INNER DRAGONS "Facing Down the Dragon ~poem~" by Deborah Soukup The dragon circles within, Its eyes glinting With the guile of velvet night But I cringe away from the knowledge It holds And bathe in darkness and fear As I know once the dragon Breaks through my walls Only then will I be Complete

INNER DRAGONS: But I hesitate and stumble In the haze of indecision and fear Then on impulse I reach and brush my fingers Across its shimmering scales A cold fear washes over me But still I stagger on With tears of blood And wounds of old I embrace this golden foe And let the warmth that comes With trust Bring forth strength Until I am whole  

INNER DRAGONS WRITE YOUR RESPONSE TO TODAY’S LESSON. HOW HAS IT HELPED OR CHANGED YOUR WAY OF THINKING ABOUT CONFLICTS AND CHARACTERS IN STORY? SHARE AND DISCUSS WITH YOUR PARTNERS!!!

INNER DRAGONS