Contemporary Literature

Unit Learning goal: Students will demonstrate knowledge of twentieth century foundation works of American Literature by writing a short 2-3 page essay analyzing the Kerouac’s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of On The Road and it’s impact on the text as a whole.  Or write a 2-3 page essay on the structure of Their Eyes Were Watching God.

  

Scale/Rubric relating to learning goal:

4 – The student can write a strong 3-page essay discussing how specific parts of On The Road contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole.

3 – The student can write 2-3 essay discussing how specific parts of On The Road contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole.

2 – With some direction/help from the teacher the student can write 2-3 essay discussing how specific parts of On The Road contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole.

1 – Even with help from the teacher the student is unable write 2-3 essay discussing how specific parts of On The Road contribute to the meaning of the work as a whole.

Objectives (smaller chunks of overall goal) and suggested time periods

At the End of this Unit Students will be able to

1)  Break the novel On the Road into three parts discussing how each part helps create meaning in the novel as a whole

2)  List the elements of contemporary American literature

3)  Relate On the Road to Huckleberry Finn

4)  Discuss the meaning behind certain names in On the Road

5)  Discuss the meaning and give examples of the following themes: Dissatisfaction with the status quo; Different visions of America; Different versions of reality; The meaning of time; Poverty in America

6)  Discuss the meaning of the conclusion

7)  Discuss how On the Road helped inspire the 60s, counterculture movement and protest literature

Major Themes addressed:

 Dissatisfaction with the status quo, Different visions of America, Different versions of Reality, Poverty, The meaning of time, What makes an American