Symbolism
in The Scarlet Letter
Project URL: http://www.teachnet-lab.org/goldman/scarletletter/contents.htm
How
it works:
Symbolism in The Scarlet Letter is a
unit designed to help students understand and interpret literary works.
Here they examine specific clues in the Nathaniel Hawthorne novel.
Students discover that Hawthorne had a specific goal in mind when
writing this novel, with each character representing different aspects
of his feelings about Puritan society. By using symbolism, he reveals
these feelings to the reader. These lessons are designed for use in
conjunction with other lessons pertaining to the novel. They may be
used during or after reading this work.
Standards addressed:
Students use
general skills and strategies of the writing process as well as the
stylistic and rhetorical aspects of writing. They also use grammatical
and mechanical conventions in written compositions and gather and
employ information for research purposes. They understand and interpret
literary and informational texts, use listening and speaking strategies
for different purposes, use viewing skills and strategies to understand
and interpret visual media, and understand the characteristics and
components of that media.
Materials
used:
Required materials include computers with Internet
connection, and construction paper and markers for illustrations.
The students:
This program is suitable for 10th graders and older. Some level
of higher thinking should be previously ingrained, such as the exploration
of a novel that studies symbolism at great length.
Overall value:
This unit improves students’ abilities in reading literature
and uncovering deeper meanings. Students learn to uncover these ideas
through reading “between the lines”. Furthermore, it helps
them comprehend other pieces of literature as well.
Tips:
Using the Internet
to find images to illustrate their work helps students present an
understanding of their ideas to other classmates.
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About the teacher:
Denise Goldman has been teaching English for six years. She is
a member of the New York City Writing Project and a recipient of an
Impact II grant. She received her Masters Degree in English Education
from NYU in 1999.
Email:
mrsgoldman@msn.com
Subject
Areas:
English
Technology
Grade
Levels:
10-12
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