! Symbolism in Dream Date

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1 Common Core Standards Symbolism in Dream Date Concept: Understanding authorial intent through close text analysis Primary Subject Area: English Secondary Subject Areas: Creative Writing Common Core Standards Addressed: Grades 9-10 Grades Key Ideas and Details Key Ideas and Details o Determine a theme or central themes of a text and analyze in detail its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text. Craft and Structure o Analyze how an author s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g. parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g. pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise. o Analyze the impact of the author s choices regarding how to develop and relate elements of a story or drama (e.g. where the story is set, how the action is ordered, how the characters are introduced and developed). o Analyze how an author s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text (e.g. the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic or tragic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact. Symbolism in Dream Date: Common Core Standards 1

2 Symbolism in Dream Date Lesson Plan Overview: To discern authorial intent through close text analysis. Objectives: Students will be able to: Analyze a story s greater meaning through a close reading of certain passages. Discuss how the symbol of the house has a double meaning for both families. Materials: Ocean State by Jean McGarry (pp ) Other Resources: Handout on symbols Warm-Up Activity: Give students the handout with four different images on it. o Heart o Skull o American Flag o House Ask students to take a few minutes and think about what each image represents in today s society. After a few minutes, ask students to share their ideas and record them on the board. Symbolism in Dream Date: Lesson Plan 2

3 Symbolism in Dream Date Lesson Plan Symbolism in Dream Date: Lesson Plan 3

4 Lesson Plan Symbolism in Dream Date Short Lecture & Partner Activities: Discuss what a symbol/symbolism is: o A symbol is something that represents or stands for something else, esp. a material object representing something abstract. o Symbolism is "#$use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. One of the symbols on the worksheet is a house. Ask students to further explicate how a house can be a symbol. o Family o Unity o Togetherness o Community o Identity Then ask students how these symbolic meanings relate to Dream Date: o o o o Is the main family close-knit? How are their relationships with each other? With outsiders? How does their family life differ from that of the McIninny? How does the McIninny house represent them? Is the representation accurate? Have students break into two groups, with one group describing the McIninnies and the other group describing the main family. Have students select passages from Dream Date that relate to the respective houses. o How do their houses represent them? o Is it an accurate representation? Why or why not? o What does their house mean to the narrator? o What does the McIninny house mean to the narrator? o Ask them to provide examples. If time allows, ask them to share their findings with the rest of the class. If not, ask them to hand in their work. Symbolism in Dream Date: Lesson Plan 4

5 Symbolism in Dream Date Discussion Wrap-Up: Lesson Plan Based on the symbolic meaning of house, ask students what a house represents to them. o Does your house accurately represent who you and your family are? o What about your neighbors? Writing Activities/Evaluations: Analytical: In a short essay, describe the symbolic meanings of houses. What do they mean to the characters in the story? Does their respective house represent the family as a whole? What about the McIninnies? Provide examples. Creative: In a short narrative mirroring Dream Date, set a scene and create a plot using a symbol (such as a house) as the central focus. Be sure to be descriptive in your characterizations of the characters and of the symbol itself. Symbolism in Dream Date: Lesson Plan 5

6 Discussion & Comprehension Questions Symbolism in Dream Date What are some modern-day symbols that we see in our everyday lives? What do those symbols represent? In Dream Date, the focal point of the story is a house The McIninny house. Why did the author decide to use a house to represent the family instead of something else? What does the symbol of a house do for the plot? The main family seems to not be as close-knit as the McIninnies appear to be. Why is that? Does the state of their house add to that characterization? By the end of the story, does the narrator s view of the McIninny house and household change? Why or why not? Provide examples. Symbolism in Dream Date: Discussion & Comprehension Questions 6

7 Symbolism in Dream Date: Key Vocabulary 7 Key Vocabulary Symbolism in Dream Date Word: Zinging Definition: Attach or criticize sharply. Cassock A full-length garment of a single color worn by certain Christian clergy, members of church choirs, and acolytes. Surplice A loose white linen vestment varying from hip-length to calf-length, worn over a cassock by clergy, acolytes, and choristers Gladrags A fancy item of clothing. Pluperfect More than perfect. Fagged Exhausted; drained of energy or effectiveness. Envoy A messenger or representative, esp. one on a diplomatic mission. Sacristan A person in charge of a sacristy; the sexton of a parish church. Laity Lay people, as distinct from the clergy; ordinary people, as distinct from professionals. Sacrilege Violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred.

8 Symbolism in Dream Date: Text References 8 Text References Symbolism in Dream Date (p. 154): As I pulled my heavy legs up the narrow, curved, and carpeted stairs, I always stopped to look out the window, although what was there but a dumb dog (Lucky or Brutus lollygagging up the street), or the McInernys house with the shades still down at noon. What were they doing in there? It was a pigsty, I d heard my mother say, a hellhole. Later, though, the shades would fly up, the lights come on, and cars line the streets. (p. 155): But now I had to whisper, because my father did and didn t want to hear beer cans and whiskey bottles, gingerale and Tom Collins mix, seltzer water and maraschino cherries, the ice cube tray and the highball sweaters from the last time company came, or just last night after supper, when the kids were upstairs raising Cain behind those pulled shades and the old folks Cat and Bob and sometimes the old granddad, Big Dan were having a few. (p. 153): Maddy the one with the boyfriends was tough, bad tempered, as ready to slap as to breathe and, although only one year younger, I watched my mouth with Maddy, and ever our older sister, Franny, kept her eyes peeled. Then there was Shrimp, our baby sister, seen but not heard. No one needed to sit on her. My mother, scared her baby was being bullied and crushed by the brutes laying about, kept Shrimp close, hand in hand, or on Mumma s lap. (p. 172): Everyone trailed off to bed On the way up to bed, I stopped by the stairway window. Sure enough, every one of those lights was blazing. Cars were still in front of the house. Maddy was right behind me After I washed my face and brushed my teeth and read a magazine in the bathroom Put that light out my father yelled I went back to the window. The lights were out. Even the McIninnies were asleep. I sat on the steps, so low down that all I could see with my head thrown back was the navy blue and speckled sky.

9 Symbolism in Dream Date: Class Handout Symbolism in Dream Date: Class Handout Name: Symbolic meaning: Symbolic meaning: Symbolic meaning: Symbolic meaning:

10 Symbolism in Dream Date: Supplementary Materials Chart Symbolism in Dream Date: Supplementary Materials Chart Category of Resource Website Article Description of Resource Describes the different kinds of symbols and symbolic meanings. Potential Educational Uses of Resource Students will be able to recognize examples of symbolism better, and have a better understanding of symbols in everyday life. Link to Resource