Feminism and Self-Respect in Sula

Lesson 8
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ELA

Unit 8

10th Grade

Lesson 8 of 21

Objective


Formulate and share unique arguments about self-respect and feminism across texts. 

Support arguments with strong and thorough textual evidence in a Summative Socratic Seminar.

Readings and Materials


  • Essay: “On Self-Respect” by Joan Didion 

  • Short Story: ““Lust” from Lust and Other Stories” by Susan Minot 

  • Excerpt: Their Eyes Were Watching God, Chapter 9 by Zora Neale Houston 

  • Book: The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor 

  • Essay: “There Is No Unmarked Woman” by Deborah Tannen 

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Target Task


Discourse Questions

  • Joan Didion tells us that “People with self-respect have the courage of their mistakes. They know the price of things.”  Using this definition, which narrator, character, or speaker from our essays, short stories, and novel excerpts has the most self-respect?  The least?  Use evidence from both Didion’s essay and the various texts to support.
  • bell hooks explains, “The first issues which served as a catalyst for the formation of the movement was sexuality—the issue being the rights of women to choose when and with whom they wanted to be sexual.” Consider “Lust” and the excerpt from Their Eyes Were Watching God. The subject of both texts is similar: both women, one adolescent and one adult, explore their sexuality. What are these two texts illustrating about gender roles in our society, specifically when it comes to sex?  How is life different for men and women in these texts, and is this accurate in reality?  According to these two texts, how are men and women different when it comes to self-respect? Use texts from both stories to support. 

Homework


Read and annotate Part 1 of Sula, pages 3-85. 

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Standards


  • LO 5.1A — Extend the conversation around an idea, topic, or text by formulating questions and recognizing the claims and perspectives of others.
  • LO 5.1B — Cite relevant evidence and evaluate the evidence presented by others.
  • SL.9-10.1 — Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9—10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.
  • SL.9-10.2 — Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.

Supporting Standards

RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
RL.9-10.3

Next

Analyze how the author establishes setting, conflict, and characterization in the beginning of Sula.

Lesson 9
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