Activity 1

Character Log

Background:

Over the course of this unit, we will be reading The Scarlet Letter and preparing to write a literary analysis on it.  One way to prepare for an analysis paper is to pay close attention to the text and stay focused on a particular aspect of it.  For The Scarlet Letter, we’re going to be focusing on characters. There are three main characters: Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, and Roger Chillingworth (aka Roger Prynne).  Each of you will be assigned to one of these three characters.

What to Do:

You will keep a character log that records important information on the character you have been assigned.  As you are read, look for information about your character.  Then, record the page number and write the information.  In many cases, you will want to quote portions of the text directly.  This will aid you greatly in using evidence for you analysis papers.

What Kind of Information:

• Physical characteristics
• Personality traits
• Relationships with other characters
• Mannerism or other telling actions
• Symbols associated with the character
• Surprising revelations
• Puzzling actions
• Psychological traits/hang-ups
• Questions you have about the character

How Much to Write:

At the very least you should be averaging five items a day.  Of course, some days your character will hardly appear in the chapters.  On other days, however, there will be a chapter focusing directly on your character.  Thus, sometimes you’ll have very little to write and other days you’ll have multitude of comments to make.  Overall, it should be several pages of notes. 

Reasons to Do Well:

First, it’s worth 25 points, easily enough to affect your grade.  Second, it will help you on other assignments.  Third, I’m having you do this instead of quizzes.

Grading:

10 points for number of entries (if you want full credit, impress me)

10 points for quality of entries (same as above)

5 points for having it organized in a matter that makes it easy to understand

Activity 2

Scarlet Letter Discussion/Debates

In The Scarlet Letter there are many questions that seem like they have simple answers, but upon closer examination, they are more complex than they seem.  Tomorrow (Wednesday) we will debate several of these questions.  Each of you will be assigned a question and a side to argue. 

What to Do:

Prepare a 1-11⁄2 minute speech in which you argue your point.  Another person will argue the other side of the question.  Each of you will tell what your stance you are representing and offer support for your argument (citing the text).  After you have each argued your points, there will be a brief period for questions.  You may have notes when you present but do not simply read off of a paper.

What to Turn In:

Turn in notes that tell what question you are answering, which side you argued, and what your main points are.  Your notes should also include a summary of your position and the reasoning behind it.  You should also have a list of textual evidence (at least three quotations with page numbers) that support your stance. 

Points and Grading:

You will receive up to five points for delivering a fluent argument in class. You will receive up to ten points for having a well-prepared, well-organized sheet of notes to turn in. 

The Questions:

Hester

1. Is Hester Prynne a victim?
2. Is Hester Prynne ashamed or proud of her sin?
3. Is Hester a good mother for Pearl?
4. Does Hester deserve the punishment she received?

Dimmesdale

1. Would Dimmesdale be better off if he confessed to his "sin"?
2. Should a reader feel sympathy for Dimmesdale?
3. Is Dimmesdale a good clergyman?
4. Does Dimmesdale know (consciously or unconsciously) who Chillingworth really is?

Chillingworth

1. Is Roger Chillingworth an evil man?
2. Is Chillingworth justified in his deep examination of Dimmesdale?
3. If you were living in this town and you fell ill, would you go to Chillingworth to get better?
4. Is Roger Chillingworth a wise man or a fool?

Overflow Question

1. To what extent is your character responsible or blameworthy for the adultery?  

Activity 3

The Scarlet Letter  Final Paper

This paper is a 2-3 page literary analysis.  You will be allowed to choose your own topic, but your paper should focus on the character you have been assigned.  Your paper should present an argument and be thesis driven.  This means that you will be required to form an interpretation and support it using the text.

By Thursday, you should have a topic chosen for your paper.  On a note card or sheet of paper, write what your preliminary thesis statement is.  You may decide to change it later, but I want to ensure that you are thinking about your papers.  This will be worth an all or nothing 5 points.

This paper will be due on Tuesday, November 9th. 

Requirements:

• A title distinct to your paper

• Thesis statement (A sentence in your introduction that summarizes your argument)

• 2-3 pages, double spaced

• Parenthetical documentation (no works cited/bibliography required)