I hope this finds you well and having enjoyed this sunny weekend.
As promised, we will begin our study of Bryce Courtenay's novel The Power of One next day.
Since you have had these novels since prior to winter break, I trust you have begun reading ahead.
For those of you who asked about an audio book for The Power of One by Bryce Courtnenay here is one option: Audio book option
- Please read along with listening or
- Pre listen prior to reading or re listen after reading
- Be careful, if you are doing the 'free trial' not to let your trial turn into an ongoing cost if you don't want to continue the service. You may need to cancel at some point,if so, set a notification on your phone to do so.
Below you will find:
- Guiding questions/links for the unit
- Day by day plans until April 13. I will update/modify as needed.
- Green denotes assigned/Red denotes due.
The Power of One-
Bryce Courtenay
During the course of our study of this novel, please
keep the following concepts and questions in mind.
o
What is the Power
of One/P1? How do we know? How does it manifest itself in this novel and in the
world? (cite evidence)
o
As you move through the novel, please jot down your
observations, quotes, page references regarding:
-theme/s: The theme in
a story is its underlying message, or 'big idea.' In other words, what critical
belief about life is the author trying to convey in the writing of a novel
(Theme
statements/see handout)
-imagery: to
use figurative language to represent objects, actions and ideas in such a way
that it appeals to our physical five senses.
-motifs: can be seen as an
image, sound, action, or other figure that has a symbolic significance, and
contributes toward the development of a theme. ... In a literary piece,
a motif is a recurrent
image, idea, or symbol that develops or explains a theme, while a theme is a
central idea or message.
- objective correlative: objective
correlative is not one word, phrase, or object, but a combination of
words, phrases, and objects that create emotion. Juxtaposition, the placement
of objects close to each other, is often the key to making the objective
correlative work. When a writer uses juxtaposition, the sum of the parts of the
work becomes greater than the individual parts, and the writer is better able
to manipulate the reader into a specific emotion.
-didacticism: a
type of literature that is written
to inform or instruct the reader, especially in moral or political lessons.
While they are also meant to entertain the audience, the aesthetics in a didactic work
of literature are subordinate
to the message it imparts.
Courtnenay, through his characters, delivers lessons directly and
indirectly that link to theme. Gather them as quotes/citations/observations re:
-Power
-
Friendship
-
Landscape
-Borders/divisions
-
P1
o
Don’t forget to
utilize the Adventure Mono-myth cycle/hero’s journey model and Critical theory in
your analysis/reading.
o
Context, time,
place and identity are important in all stories and they are absolutely key to
fully appreciating this novel. Take time to review the notes package and links provided to gain a little background
about the time/places/peoples before and during when this novel is set:
2.
Pre-history/pre-colonial
contact South Africa.(watch to 12:00) (Apologies for the quality of sound) https://youtu.be/G6sauemcVPY
3.
Post contact (again sorry re: extra sounds): https://youtu.be/I4GPQQHPFE0
Note:
1899-1902 Boer War (The elders/grandpa
would have been present for this)
WWII 1939-1945 (our novel starts
around 1935ish)
English
12 timeline (partial)
1.Mar.
5 Monday:
Intro. P1 history/unit overview – Notes package/links
Kid logic/meaning making
Begin to read/assign Questions chapters 1-3
Due: Weds. Mar. 7/18 (artifacts not due until Friday Mar. 9)
2.
Mar. 7 CPT AM Weds.:
15 mins.
Counsellor
Questions chapters 1-3 Due
Begin to chart themes
(Power,Borders/divisions, Friendship, Landscape)
HMWK: Read Chapters 4-6 Tuesday Mar. 13.
Start a draft for your questions Final due: Mar. 15
Artifact due next block
3.
Mar. 9 Friday:
(weekend)
Share/discuss your artifact (question #4
from ch. 1-3) (Hmwk chk) (mine is a clip of someone you may have heard of)
Images/symbols/objective correlatives
Read aloud/discussion/work
time
4.
Mar. 13 Tues.:
(report cards at 2:50)
Looking at Lessons/didacticism his developing world view
Ch.4-6 questions Due at START of next class Mar. 15
5. Mar. 15: (Spring Break 16 days)
Ch.4-6 questions Due
Objective correlative.
Read in ch.5&6 .
Note: Didacticism/objective correlatives/lessons/theme development.
Objective correlative.
Read in ch.5&6 .
Note: Didacticism/objective correlatives/lessons/theme development.
Homework: Read chapters 7 & 8
6.
April 3: Tuesday
Counsellor whole block
7.
April 5: Thursday
(weekend)
Close reading of Landscapes/objective correlatives/symbolism
Practice for the in-class quiz on close
reading Monday April 9
Read aloud and draw what you hear
Assign Chapters 9-11
Questions due Friday April 13
8.
April 9: Monday
In-class close reading/analysis quiz – marked for analysis only not for
form/grammar etc.
Time to read/work on ch. 9-11
for the remainder of class
9.
April 11 (Cpt pm) Wednesday:
Doc’s lessons/symbols/notions
of ‘The Sacred’/theme
10.
April 13 Friday
(weekend):
Chapters 9-11 Questions due
Myth notes/lessons
