Opening Activities November 2, 2016 Objective: Students will use close reading strategies to read “Wife of Bath” by Geoffrey Chaucer Warm Up: Turn to p. 75 of your Collections textbook and respond to the following in a well-developed paragraph (at least 8 sentences on loose-leaf paper): Interpret Stephanie Coontz's quotation in your own words. What do you think she means about "old rules" and "modern gender roles"? To what extent do you agree or disagree with Coontz's point? Use examples from your own experience, observation, and studies to support your position. Consider the challenges we face as we "work out modern gender roles" as well as the image that accompanies the quotation.
Geoffrey Chaucer The Canterbury Tales
Born to a middle class family Early Life 1342-1400 Born to a middle class family His father was a wine merchant who believed his child should have a formal education Odd jobs = page, courtier, diplomat, civil servant, scrap metal collector Travelled all over Europe
Later Life Fluent in English, Italian, Latin, and French Worked as a government official under three different kings = high social status Was captured as a POW during the Hundred Year’s War King paid his ransom Died of unknown causes – murder suspected Chaucer was one of the first writers to be buried in the Poets’ Corner in Westminster Abbey.
Writing Styles Often called the father of English poetry Most scholars still wrote in Latin Felt English lacked sophistication and had a limited vocabulary Only local stories and ballads written in English He wrote in the vernacular or language of the commoners Now known as Middle English Satire: witty language used to convey insult Rhythmic pattern Best known for writing The Canterbury Tales, but also had several other works as well
The Canterbury Tales Although the work was never completed, The Canterbury Tales is considered one of the greatest works in the English language The narrator meets 29 pilgrims at an inn and travels with them to the shrine of St. Thomas Becket in Canterbury. They decide to have a contest: whoever can tell the best tale wins a dinner at the inn when they get back, courtesy of the other travelers. Canterbury Tales can be considered “estates satire” Three “Estates” in European feudal society Peasants work (agricultural labor) Clergy pray Nobles fight (and rule) Begun: 1386 Planned: 120 tales Completed: 22 and 2 fragments
Narrative Style Tells a story about yourself in a such a way that the audience learns a lesson or gains insight Clear sequence of events Allows readers to visualize everything that is happening in their minds Relies on personal experience
Opening Activities November 3-4, 2016 Objectives: Students will use active reading strategies to finish reading “Wife of Bath” by Geoffrey Chaucer. Students will contrast the knight’s attitude toward the old woman when they first marry with his attitude at the end of the tale. Warm Up: Reread lines 55-72 on page 79. Explain what aspects of the Wife’s narrative style appear in the first part of the tale. Essential Question: Are gender roles a significant factor in how men and women are perceived, or has society moved past traditional gender roles?
Quiz What is a frame story? Briefly describe how Canterbury Tales fits the definition of a frame story. How many tales did Chaucer complete before his death? Define Satire.
Classwork (No Homework) Week 11, Day 2 Let’s READ the text together! Collections textbook, p. 77-88 While we read, complete the guiding questions in your journal. (next slides, #1-10)
“The Wife of Bath’s Tale” from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Guiding Questions *Answer each question, citing text evidence. 1. Lines 1–28: What lines from this passage indicate the relationship between the Wife of Bath and the Friar? 2. Lines 4–11: Describe the tone of the conversation between the Friar and the Summoner. How do these exchanges affect the portrayals of the pilgrims? 3. Lines 55–72: What aspects of the Wife’s narrative style appear in the first part of the tale? What do these elements of her style suggest about her character? 4. Line 79: What does this line suggest about the Wife’s tale?
“The Wife of Bath’s Tale” from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer Guiding Questions *Answer each question, citing text evidence. 5. Lines 93–130: Summarize the knight’s experience as he travels the land asking people what women want most. What does this part of the tale tell you about the Wife of Bath herself? 6. Lines 126–130: How do you know the Wife is educated? Why do you think Chaucer gave his Wife of Bath this trait? 7. Lines 153–156: Do the Wife’s traits as revealed in this passage make her a likable character? Why or why not? 8. Lines 163–175: What would you predict about the Wife’s tale based on the scene described in these lines? How might the Wife’s inclusion of this passage be interpreted as an insult to the Friar? 9. Lines 176–178: Explain how these lines might be interpreted in reference to the Wife herself. 10. Lines 179–196: How does the Wife use foreshadowing in this part of her tale? What is the effect of this foreshadowing on readers?
Opening Activities November 7-8, 2016 Objectives: Students will examine traditional gender roles in modern society and in Chaucer’s “Wife of Bath’s Tale”. Students will analyze Chaucer’s theme as it pertains to gender roles in “Wife of Bath’s Tale”. Warm Up: Reread lines 345-365 on page 86. Explain the old woman’s function in the tale based on her speech to the knight. Essential Question: Are gender roles a significant factor in how men and women are perceived, or has society moved past traditional gender roles?
Please view the following: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPL3jBU-V9M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRklCO6Yoms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mu- jVK3x_XU While viewing, complete the gender roles survey in Socrative.
While Viewing Answer the following questions in Socrative. Room code kelly225: Do you think there a gender gap in appearance? Should the guy pay for the first date? Do you think assertive women are viewed negatively? Do you think it is okay for the man to stay home with the kids while the woman works?
Cooperative Work Divide into groups of three. You cannot have more than three people per group. Choose two characters to examine. One of the characters must be the Old Woman: Wife of Bath’s King Queen Knight Old Woman
Complete the Following: Find a quote and provide an analysis of how traditional gender roles influenced Chaucer’s development of each character, based on the following traits: Appearance Temperament Thoughts How others feel about them Use the handout provided.
Homework In a well-developed paragraph, describe the contrast between the knights attitude toward the old woman earlier in the tale (lines 179-197) and his attitude in lines (220-245). What does the knights behavior in these passages reveal about his character? Also, discuss what the knights changed attitude toward the old woman might suggest about human nature