1. English 11 May 16, 2016

2. 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

3. Grammar
Understanding faulty diction in writing
Page 82

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

5. 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

6. 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…

7. “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?

8. “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?

9. “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?

10. “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”?

11. “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.

12. “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?

13. “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?

14. “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?

15. “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?

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

17. “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.

18. “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?

19. “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?

20. “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?

21. “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?

22. Homework
Vocabulary: June 1
Book Report