1. Historical/ Biographical Lens
Mr. Sultan - LENS #3
You have completed:
* Reader’s Response
* Formalism

2. WHAT IS IT
KNOWING THE HISTORY, CONTEXT, OR EXPERIENCE OF THE AUTHOR GIVES deeper MEANING TO THE MESSAGE BEING CONVEYED.
Where do you think this LENS could provide the most meaning?

3. Examples of where the lens is most used.
(SHARED IN CLASS)
Novels
Videos
Songs
Art
Newsprint/ Media
Scholarly Journal Articles (especially if something historically has happened, and has engaged a lot of people into research about it)
Songs, Music videos, Poetry, Novels, Biographies, Art.

4. Michael Jackson One of the most successful entertainers of all time.
Has been performing since he was 7 years old (Jackson 5 and solo)
Controversial for:
Unknown sexuality
Eccentric Behaviour
Cases and accusations of child molestation
Tax Evasion and Record Company Issues
Skin defection, plastic surgery, and race
Incessant invasion of privacy by paparazzi and tabloids
Considered the greatest entertainer to ever live, however has fans and enemies alike

5. ANALYSIS OF THE VIDEOS & SONGS
Feel free to check them out on the class website. Notice the use of:
Tabloid images that are directly related to Michael’s life.
Images of actual companions in life (Bubbles, Elizabeth Taylor)
Images of “insanity”
Directly speaking to accusations of various kinds (song)

6. Something sticks out! HOW ONE ANALYSES THIS… A city name...
A “saying” or “slogan”…
Something sticks out!
The mentioning of a law or rule that seems very foreign
You just get this notion – this is about someone or something!

7. Something sticks out! HOW ONE ANALYSES THIS… A city name...
A “saying” or “slogan”…
Something sticks out!
The mentioning of a law or rule that seems very ______
You just get this notion – this is about someone or something!

8. = UNDERSTANDING HOW ONE ANALYSES THIS… Online Research
BETTER
UNDERSTANDING
Video/Print Materials
Scholarly Journals
Other Art Materials

9. MR. SULTAN’S OWN EXAMPLES…
IGGIE’S HOUSE by Judy Blume
To read about: s_House
Biographical/ Historical Components:
Antagonism towards integration of black families in typically white neighbourhoods
Overt racism was acceptable
Introduction to “White Flight”

10. The Rap Artist Nas’ album: “Life is Good”

11. Track that explains feelings about divorce: “Bye Baby” by Nas f/ Guy
He was truly in love, he doesn’t really know how or why things messed up as hard as they did.
He tried to give you the best, because he was truly in love.
He still looks at the memories you had and shared, and loved/ cherished them. He truly loved what they had.
The divorce took a lot out of him, but he doesn’t regret it. He tried to do the right thing, and hopes one day he will get it right.
Closure

12. How to write it in an argument
Interracial Parents
Let’s look at this poem: The Cross by Langston Hughes My old man's a white old man And my old mother's black. If ever I cursed my white old man I take my curses back. If ever I cursed my black old mother And wished she were in hell, I'm sorry for that evil wish And now I wish her well. My old man died in a fine big house. My ma died in a shack. I wonder where I'm gonna die, Being neither white nor black?
Cursing his parents – didn’t live with them?
Parents died separately – not together
Research the issues that Indira Gandhi’s government brought to India during the 1970’s.
What was going on?

13. An example Find a journal on it!
Based on the questions and regrets shared in the poem “The Cross”, it can be assumed that Langston Hughes was writing from the perspective of a mixed-race orphan.  Thesis!
What I will do: Analyze the time Langston Hughes was alive (early 1900’s) and what was the historic significance of being a mixed race child at that time.  Mr. Sultan found that for you through the HYPODESCENT article.
Argument: Being a mixed race child, the character of this poem may have been put up for adoption.
Find a journal on it!
Is what you would normally do.

14. READ WITH ONE ANOTHER AND HELP ME FIND HOW I COULD PROVE THIS IS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AN ORPHAN
Come back tomorrow:
Have the evidence and answer as to how you can prove that this famous author was writing from the perspective of an OPRHAN
Create another argument to support this thesis, formalist or biographical/ historical