AP Literature and Composition September 30, 2011 Mr. Houghteling “It’s a ‘Figuring Out those Females’ Friday, and because it’s Friday, you know what that means...”

“It’s great to be alive!”

AGENDA Putting on the Gender Criticism lens. Qualities of “The Angel” vs. the identity of women as seen by Virginia Woolf. “Siren Song”

Gender Critical Perspective Gender interpretation focuses on relationships between genders, including patterns of thought, behavior, and power in relations between and within the sexes. For example, a gender reading of Cinderella may take into account the idea of power relationships between the men and women of the novel.

Qualities of “The Angel” List those qualities in your notebook. Work in pairs or individually. Use line references.

Guiding Questions 1. According to Woolf, what are two main obstacles to women’s professional identity? 2. Why would Woolf’s work be considered a manifesto for the rights of women? 3. What is Woolf’s relationship to “The Angel in the House?”

Exit Slip / Extension Virginia Woolf makes various comments about the struggles a woman faces in the professional world. Are her views consistent with how women in professional arenas are treated today? Make an argument.

“Siren Song” The title implies an allusion. This allusion—about the legendary Sirens of ancient Greek mythology—is crucial to understanding the poem. Read and analyze the text, looking at it through the Gender Criticism lens. ◦ What conclusions can we make about women, as evidenced in this text? ◦ What conclusions can we make about men, as evidenced in this text? ◦ Pull quotes, use line references, and support your conclusions!

What to Do? Revise your War Poet essay. DueThursday, 10/6/11: Your revised War Poet essay words. Typed, Times New Roman, Tahoma or Garamond 12-point font. Must be printed out— ed or electronic copies are not acceptable for this paper. No exceptions.