Unit 6: The Dark Side of Humanity Unit Description: We will read one of fourlonger texts (Les Miserables, Wicked, The Count of Monte Cristo, or Hole in my Life), the short story “The Cask of Amontillado”, and study poetry by Blake, Cullen, and Ginsberg in order to: ‐learn from the experiences of characters in literature, resulting in a greater understanding of ourselves and humanity. ‐ understand that characters, like people, are multidimensional, and exhibit the positive and negative characteristics of humanity. Essential Questions: 1)
What can readers learn about themselves and others from examining the flaws of characters?
2)
How do feelings of jealousy and revenge motivate characters to commit actions that they might not otherwise commit?
3)
How do feelings of compassion and forgiveness motivate characters to change their ways?
4)
How do the actions of an individual affect the world around him/her?
5)
How are individuals impacted by the society in which they live?
Reading Schedule: 1) Les Miserables (Hugo) 2) The Count of Monte Cristo (Dumas) 3) Wicked (Maguire) 4) Hole in my Life (Gantos) 5) “The Cask of Amontillado” (Poe) 6) “The Tyger” and “The Lamb” (Blake) 7) “Any Human to Another” (Cullen)
Date
8) “Atomic” (Ginsberg)
Title and Poet
Summary of Poem
Example of figurative language
Key line(s) and analysis
Assessments:
1)Pretend that one of the characters in this unit is on trial for his/her negative behavior(s). You can choose to be either the defense or the prosecution. Write a one‐two page opening statement for the character’s trial in which you present specific pieces of evidence in support of your argument.
2) Create a concept map for one character from this unit. Trace the character’s journey from good to evil or from evil to redemption. Draw symbols that will represent major events in the character’s progression. Provide quotations for each symbol to support this progression. Give your map a title (Ex. From – to ‐).
3) Research one of the following topics:
Date
A) Carnival season in Italy B) Effects of alcohol on one’s decision‐making C) Catacombs D) Legal system in Italy in the 1800’s E) “The real story behind the ‘Cask of Amontillado’” F) The Life of Edgar Allan
In a three‐five minute visual presentation (Power Point, Smart Board, Graph/Chart, Poster, etc.), explain what you have learned from your research and how it applies to “The Cask of Amontillado”.
4) For poem read, please complete a graphic organizer. 5) Choose one of the poems studied in this unit that relates to the theme in the novel that you read. Write a critical analysis of the poem, and explain how it relates to the novel. Make sure to explain the literary devices that help to reveal the theme.
Unit 6: The Dark Side of Humanity
Unit 6: The Dark Side of Humanity Unit Description: We will read one of fourlonger texts (Les Miserables, Wicked, The Count of Monte Cristo, or Hole i...
