Split into groups of 4 (or 5 when necessary for class numbers).
Your Journal:
- All group members will pay attention to symbols in the novel and make note of ideas regarding their significance.
- Each group member will be in charge of tracking ONE motif in their journal.
Motifs:
- Repressing the Past & Rememory
- Dehumanization/Slavery vs. Freedom
- Love/Family/Motherhood
- Use of Magical Realism
- Community vs. Alienation (only for groups of 5)
What You Should Note:
- When you notice the motif or symbol--page number
- How the author seems to be using that motif or symbol
- What point does the author seem to be making at that point?
As a Group:
- Determine your reading schedule. You have designated reading days and discussion days in class, but you can decide how you will “chunk” the novel for those discussion days.
- Determine who will track each of the motifs. Everyone is responsible for reading the whole book; you’re just focusing on your own motif rather than all of them.
- You should have a page in your journal for each of the motifs (even those you are not tracking). This will give you a place to jot down your own thoughts on those subjects as you read and make note of your group discussions.
Discussion Items as a Large Group:
- Each member will share out what is going on with the motifs--open up discussion to see what other members think or have noticed. Also discuss the ways some of these motifs overlap.
- Symbols and their Significance
- Significance of the 3-Part Structure
- Significance of the Title
- Your ultimate goal is two-fold: What is the theme of the novel? How does Morrison’s writing help her achieve that argument? You won’t know the answers to these questions until the end, but your discussion while you’re still reading should be leading toward answers to these questions.
Dates:
April 4 Hand out books; assign groups
April 7 Reading day
April 8 or 10 Group discussion day (odd periods on 8th, even periods on 10th)
April 11 Reading day
April 15 Group discussion day
April 17 Reading day
April 18 Book completed. Group discussion
April 21 Quarter Exam. Journals due beginning of class
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