1. Bellringer List the requirements for an ALLEGORY.
List the requirements for a THEME.

2. “A Worn Path” & “Half a Day” Analysis
English 9

3. Learning Targets Participate in a class discussion. (9-10.SL.CC.1)
Examine the allegorical meanings found in two texts. (9-10.RL.IKI.9)

4. Standards 9-10.SL.CC.1 9-10.RL.IKI.9
Initiate and participate effectively with varied partners in a range of collaborative discussions on appropriate 9th - 10th grade topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
9-10.RL.IKI.9
Analyze a variety of related literary texts and evaluate how an author draws on, alludes to, or transforms source material to provide a deeper and more thorough interpretation of the text.

5. Guiding Question
How do the experiences of the main characters in our two allegories symbolize life in general?

6. Let’s Review Allegory
What are the requirements for a story to be considered an allegory?
Let’s work to decide of the narratives we have been studying are allegorical!

7. Group Work Even Groups ”A Worn Path” Odd Groups ”Half a Day”
Take 7 minutes to create a chart identifying the parallel literal and figurative meanings for your narrative.
At the bottom, write a description of the underlying message in your allegory.
12-15 minutes including discussion
Guiding Question: What is universal or common about both stories?
Students should understand that “A Worn Path” tells the story of a life’s journey through allegory. They should understand that each obstacle (physical or mental) that Phoenix encounters represents a trial common to life. Additionally, they should understand that it is Phoenix’s dogged persistence that determines both who she is as a character and her ultimate outcome.

8. Sample Chart
Figurative Meaning—What you interpret based on the literal meaning; you must dig deeper here! What does everything symbolize?
Literal Meaning—What is in the image or on the page WITHOUT interpretation?
The queen looks sad or frustrated and is surrounded by an old man, a skeleton, and some floating naked babies who are removing her crown.
The queen has death (represented by the skeleton) on her left, father time (symbolized by the old man) on her right, and two cherubs above her removing her crown.
Sample is based on the painting we have discussed in lessons leading up to today.
Underlying Message: No matter how powerful a person is, he or she cannot escape death and the passage of time. With that comes the knowledge that everyone will lose the things they value when death ultimately comes.

9. Hosted Gallery Walk Even Groups ”A Worn Path” Odd Groups ”Half a Day”
Choose one member of your group to present your findings to other classmates on your behalf.
Hosts, take your posters to the next group, and spend 2 minutes presenting your group’s findings. When you hear the timer, you will move on to the next group.
12-15 minutes including discussion
Guiding Question: What is universal or common about both stories?
Students should understand that “A Worn Path” tells the story of a life’s journey through allegory. They should understand that each obstacle (physical or mental) that Phoenix encounters represents a trial common to life. Additionally, they should understand that it is Phoenix’s dogged persistence that determines both who she is as a character and her ultimate outcome.

10. Independent Work
Use the CCC method to respond to the following writing prompt:
How do the experiences of both Phoenix from “A Worn Path” and the narrator from “Half a Day” symbolize life in general?
This assignment will be graded as a QUIZ (30% category), so make sure you turn in your BEST effort, and let your teacher know if you need guidance.