Beneath the Dusty Words

We have briefly talked about a few themes in Montana 1948.  Among these themes are justice, coming of age, the presence of evil in everyone, abuse of power/position, and race relations.  Select one of these themes and briefly explain why you believe it to be significant in this novel.  Give a quote that reveals that theme and tell how it does so.  (CATCH:  You may not write on the same theme as the two people prior to you.)  The deadline to post is midnight, Thursday, August 14, 2014)

EXTRA CREDIT FOR AUGUST

Complete one of the following by August 25^th. It will not be taken late for any reason and is equal to one minor test grade.
1.  Make a bulletin board size teacher’s poster on the novel A Lesson Before Dying. 
2.  Imagine Grant is asked to give the eulogy for Jefferson’s funeral.  Write and deliver this before the class.
3.  Make a display board about Ernest Gaines or Larry Watson.  Include pictures, a listing of his major works, and a time line of at least 10 major life events.
4.  Write the theme song to Montana 1948.  Perform it before the class.  Print out the lyrics.
5.  Make a board game that a teacher could use to review her students on the novel Montana 1948 or A Lesson Before Dying.  Include playing board, pieces, and rules.
6.  Draw 5 major scenes from Montana 1948. Write a paragraph below each explaining why it is significant.  Each scene should be on a separate sheet of paper at least 8.5 X 11 inches.
7.  Draw 5 major scenes from A Lesson Before Dying.Write a paragraph below each explaining why it is significant. Each scene should be on a separate sheet of paper at least 8.5 X 11 inches.
8.  Create the diary of one of the major female characters in either Montana 1948 or
A Lesson Before Dying.  Include at least 10 entries.  Include actual events from the novel and the characters feelings about these events.  Make the cover reflect this character.

The Strength of Women

Both Gail in Montana 1948 and Vivian in A Lesson Before Dying support their mates.  Compare and contrast their strengths and roles in the novels.  Use at least one quote from each novel to support your claims and based upon what is presented in these novels, decide what the authors are saying about women.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, Friday, August 8, 2014.)

Education + Novel

Both Montana 1948 and A Lesson Before Dying can be classified as Bildungsroman works.  In a Bildungsroman, the main character proceeds through a journey, physically or metaphorically, that leads to his manhood or a psychological awakening.  Select one of the two summer novels and briefly discuss a moment/scene/passage in which it is clear that the main character is evolving to a new awareness or change.  Explain how this passage made you feel as you were reading it.  (The deadline to post a response is midnight, July 23, 2014.)

Not a simple notebook and pencil...

A great portion of the end on the book is Jefferson's notebook/diary. Grant gave him the notebook so that he could write down his thoughts and feelings; it becomes, however, a chronicle of Jefferson's metamorphosis. Select a passage from the notebook and cite it and then explain how this passage helped you to recognize a change within Jefferson. Also, include how the notebook section made you feel. Please do not use the same quote as the person prior to you.  (The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, July 19, 2014.)

"He need both of you.."

A great deal of A Lesson Before Dying focuses upon Grant's internal conflict with religion and his external conflict with Reverend Mose Ambrose.  Select a passage/scene(cite it) that reflects this struggle (it does not have to be directly with the Rev.; it can be about Grant and religion alone) and explain its significance in the scope of the novel and explain how Gaines uses this conflict to develop Grant. Also, indicate which side wins in this passage and how so. You may not give the same scene/passage as the person before you gives and you must comment on the responses before yours. (The deadline to post a response to this blog question is midnight, July 14, 2014.)  Please vote in the poll at the right.  Thanks!

"He gonna walk..."

Upon leaving Pichot's house after discussing Jefferson's impending execution, Grant says to Reverend Ambrose, "I'm going for a walk, a long walk in the opposite direction" [p.159]. Where does this walk take him, literally and symbolically? ( The deadline to post a response to this question is midnight, July 10, 2014.)