Who are we? What is our role in life? How is our role shaped by others? These are questions that we all wonder at some point. In the novel Grendel, the monster from the Beowulf epic wonders similar questions as he navigates the Danish country inhabited by warmongering humans. John Gardner's modern treatment of the character shows a complex persona that, at times, seems more human than his homo sapien counterparts.
In order to prepare ourselves for to think about Grendel, we will study and consider a few ideas crucial to the story, including archetypes, story telling, and existentialism.
NOVEL: Grendel, by John Gardner
Double-Entry Journals: For each chapter, create 2 double-entry journals. (Quote, with page number, and response) As we are focusing on close reading, you should point to specific details, raise questions about those details, and speculate on their significance. We will use these journals as the foundation for class discussion.
Write this in a Google Doc called "E4H Grendel DEJs (last name)."
For DEJs three and four, focus on archetypes and existentialist ideas.
Patterns and Structures
How metaphors shape our thinking
Metaphors We Live By (George Lakoff and Mark Johnson)
As you read:
1. Write three double entry journals about the article: an important idea or quote and your response
2. Reflect on how metaphors shape our lives. What are possible problems with these abstractions affecting our thinking?
BONUS: See if you can think of another kind of way that people commonly think in metaphoric ways, especially if you can think of a group of ideas that are all related.
More examples from Metaphors We Live By.
Submit this as "E4H Metaphors ___last name__"
Hero's Journey
Hero's Journey Chart: The Hero's Journey steps Campbell.doc
Create a chart based on your character that experiences each stage of Campbell's Hero's Journey.
Jungian Archetype Class Research
Archetype Chart
Save As "E4H Archetype Chart ___last name__"
Think of an example from another book or a movie for each idea in the chart, with a VERY brief explanation. (Does not have to be complete sentences.)
Putting It All Together: Short Story
Some quick tips for making your stories strong:
1. Use quality verbs! Think of good strong descriptive verbs that describe the action.
2. Show rather than tell. You don't need to explain everything. Let the actions and the details suggest it.
3. Be specific! Use specific words and details that help the reader visualize the story.
Critical Ideas
Existentialism
Existentialism project
Postmodernism
Excerpt: if on a winter's night a travler
Perception and Reality Article: Do You See the Gorilla?
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