Tuesday-Wednesday, Feb. 2-3 Naturalism and “To Build a Fire”

TRENDs Review  ROMANTICISIM – Poe, C.S. Lewis[ Narnia Chronicles ] TRANSCENDENTALISM – Whitman, Emerson, Thoreau [REALISM] - NATURALISM - London [MODERNISM] [REGIONALISM]

Quick notes on “naturalism”

Naturalism Trend Heredity Chance Focused on truthfully portraying the lives of ordinary people Believed a man’s life experiences were determined by: FATE [ predetermined by a greater power ] the Environment Heredity Chance Characters’ lives shaped by forces they neither understand nor control Characters “endure” - shows man’s importance and reason for existing even in the face of certain death

…The Wisdom of Jack London…

A Famous American Writer, a Famous American Short Story

Who is this man?

Worked on a sealing schooner He was temporarily raised by a freed slave Was an OYSTER pirate… yup! Did time in prison for being a vagrant Worked on a sealing schooner Born: 1876 Died: 1916 Went north to mine gold at age 21 Began writing and selling fiction Mother attempted suicide Went to but dropped out of Berkeley Univ. due to no money

Time Frame: 1876-1916 Died at age 40….?!?!? American author, journalist, and social activist. Pioneer in commercial magazine fiction One of the first fiction writers to obtain worldwide celebrity and a large fortune from his fiction alone. Known for writing “To Build a Fire,” The Call of the Wild, White Fang, the Sea-Wolf and other Klondike tales.

Jack London – Bio Read-aloud Please see p. 554 6 Volunteer readers *Background for Understanding” on the Gold Rush*

The Gold Rush of the late 1890s

1896-1899 100,000+ prospectors Only 30,000- 40, 000 arrived Most spent $1000 to get there [ $27,000 in today’s cash!]

“To Build a Fire, “ By Jack London– Watch!

” Finish the story…. First pub.: 1902 2nd pub.: 1908 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBB06RLmCcU First pub.: 1902 2nd pub.: 1908 ” Finish the story….

Audio Book Version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8WnlrUKsBU 43 minutes Audio Book Version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8WnlrUKsBU

…The Wisdom of Jack London…

Quick Write- Day 1 Make two predictions: What will happen to the man, and why? What will happen to the dog, and why?

Small Group Work- 25 min. Be ready to share your piece Small groups BY ROWS: read over your assigned section and... Locate 2 examples of “naturalism” and two examples of figurative language. FIRST: Write them out on your group sheet. Use “ “ and a citation: Example: “ “ (London 464). NEXT: After each example/quote, explain why your group felt it is an example of writing in the naturalism trend in 1-3 sentences. LAST: Find two examples of figurative language, copy them, identify them, and explain how they impact the reader’s understanding of the story.

In-class, Individual Writing Assignment Choose ONE write about: Choice A: Identify three mistakes the man made and explain how these mistakes, when combined, caused his death. OR Choice B: London takes an unusual approach by not naming characters [ “the man, Old- timer,” the dog]. Explain why you think he did it and how it impacts a reader of this tale.

Time Permitting:

Registration Information Day Thursday, Feb. 4 Registration Information Day

Quiz on “To Build a Fire” & Lit Circle Check-out Day Friday, Feb. 5 Quiz on “To Build a Fire” & Lit Circle Check-out Day