Week 4

In this week, we will-

1. A short story by Charles Dickens "A Child's Dream of a Star"
2. A play by Samuel Beckett Krapp's Last Tape
3. Complete all the graphic assignments from previous three weeks
4. Visit MOMA online

Lesson 8  "A Child's Dream of a Star"

Motivational Activity: Visit the following sites-

• Charles Dickens Museum

• About Charles Dickens

• Short Story: "A Child's Dream of a Star "
• Novel:  "Tale of Two Cities"

Aim: Why does the child dream of a star?

Do Now: In your journal, describe one of your child's dreams and where the dream came from.

Procedures:

1. As we read the story together, circle any words or phrases that depict images or convey certain types of mood.
2. What kind of relationship there is between the sister and the brother as described in paragraph 1? What word can you use to describe their personality?
3. How did they discover and get to know the star?
4. What is the significance of this line-"There was one clear shining star that used to come out in the sky before the rest, near the church spire, above the graves"?
5. What happened to the sister? How did it affect the boy?
6. Why did the child dream about the star? What did he see in his dream? What is your interpretation of his dream? What's the effect the dream had upon the boy?
7. What is the dominant imagery in the story? When does it occur?
8. There are a few different settings in the story that indicate the changes in the boy's life. What are they?
9. What's your emotional response to the ending of the story?
10. Did the story somehow change your views about death? If so, in what ways?
11. What themes can we draw from the story?

Assignment #6

Part I.

Turn the story into a narrative poem using poetic language (descriptive, rhythmic, symbolic), such as imagery, simile, and metaphor, and symbolism.

Extra Credit Work:

1. Create a point of view writing based on the story.
2. Analytical essays on characters, conflicts, the structure, symbolism, irony, etc.

Part II: Create a visual  to illustrate the story.

Lesson 9: Samuel Beckett's play Krapp's Last Tape

Aim: What state is Krapp in? What does his name Krapp connote? How is Krapp himself the reason for all the "darkness" surrounding him?

See Lesson on Samuel Beckett's play

Homework #7

Part I: Select one of the topics to write an analytical essay on Beckett's "Krapp's Last Tape".

1. Theme Analysis: Why Is Krapp the Cause of his Isolation and Loneliness?
2. Symbolisim and Imagery in Krapp's Last Tape by Samuel Beckett
3. Why Does Krapp Represent the Majority of Modern Beings?

Part II: Select one from the following as your graphic illustration-

1. The stage setting
2. Theme
3. Playbill cover
4. Character Portrait

Read a sample essay-Please login Nicenet.org and find the critical essay written by Chenlin Xin on Krapp's Last Tape. Let's share her essay and point out the strength and weaknesses of the essay.