Comedy, Taming, and Desirability in The Taming of the Shrew

Lesson 1
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ELA

Unit 17

9th Grade

Lesson 1 of 20

Objective


Analyze how Marge Piercy uses imagery and figurative language in "Barbie Doll" to reveal meaning about desirability.

Readings and Materials


  • Poem: “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy 

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Complete a poetry one-pager for “Barbie Doll” that includes a SWIFT analysis, your annotated poem, and a symbolic illustration of the poem’s meaning. 

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Annotation Focus

What lines, words, and phrases does Piercy use to convey standards of desirability?

Scaffolding Questions

Who is the speaker of this poem? Who is the "girlchild?" Who is the intended audience? How do you know? Support your responses to each question with direct evidence from the text. 

What details does Piercy use to describe the activities that the "girlchild" engaged in after she was born? What do these details imply about the societal expectations and norms for girls? 

What description does Piercy use to reveal the attributes of the "girlchild?" How do these attributes help to characterize the "girlchild?"

Zoom in on the diction choice "apologizing?" What are the connotations of this word choice? Why does the girl apologize? What is the significance of the "apologizing?"

How does Piercy convey the impact of society’s ridicule on the "girlchild"? What does this suggest about the girlchild's character? About society? About standards of beauty?

Zoom in on the final stanza and image of the girlchild. What do you make of this image? To what extent is the girlchild happy in this final image?

Discourse Questions

How does Piercy use imagery, diction, and figurative language to convey a message about desirability?

How do standards of beauty relate to desirability? 

Homework


Read and annotate The Bluest Eye pages 19–23 by the next lesson.

  • Annotation focus: What are your first impressions of Claudia and her attitude towards dolls?

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Standards


  • LO 1.3B — Analyze how the writer's use of stylistic elements contributes to a work of literature's effects and meaning.
  • RL.9-10.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language evokes a sense of time and place; how it sets a formal or informal tone).

Supporting Standards

LO 2.3A
LO 2.3B
LO 2.3C
LO 5.1A
LO 5.1B
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
SL.9-10.1
W.9-10.2

Next

Analyze how Toni Morrison uses symbolism and contrast to develop a critique of American beauty standards.

Explain how Morrison’s critique of American beauty standards connects to ideas around desirability.

Lesson 2
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