Mirror On The World: Fiction As a Reflection of Society

Every student begins each class day with 5 participation points. Students who exhibit good participation throughout the class – punctuality, coming prepared, completion of assignments, participation in discussion or writing assignments – will receive 5 participation points at the end of each class period. Students loose points for poor participation: tardy arrival, coming to class unprepared, not completing assignments, having a cell-phone go off in class, and disrespectful behavior. An average participation grade will constitute part of the grade for the semester.

My Attendance Policy follows the guidelines set forth in the Wells High School Student Handbook; however, it is also linked with participation credit for the course.

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  Students receive no participation credit for days they are absent.
  
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  Students who miss ten or more school days must appeal to the school board for to receive credit for the class as per student handbook guidelines.
  
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  Students who arrive to class after the bell are late and shall receive a tardy on their attendance record.
  
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  For every tardy I deduct one point from daily participation average.
  
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  5 tardies constitute one absence.
  
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  Students who exhibit habitual tardiness are subject to referral to administration for disciplinary action.
  

All assignments should be turned in on time. Late assignments will be docked one letter grade for every day it is turned in after the submission date.

I do not accept revisions. This is because I provide time in class to workshop assignments and obtain peer and instructor feedback. If you participate fully in the composition process I provide during class you should not have to revise assignments you submit.

Journal Entries – 5%

Vocabulary Journal Checks – 5%

Reading Responses – 10%

Analytic Essay – 10%

Tests – 20%

Multi Genre Research Project – 25%

Debate – 25%

Analytic Essay

Using any one of the texts from the unit - Frankenstein, Edward Scissor Hands, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, or Dracula - write an essay discussing the function of the elements of “fantasy” in the text. Is there some symbolic value to the fantasy in the text? Is it allegorical? Is it purely for entertainment value? If so why? Does the fantasy cloak a hidden agenda in the text, such as a societal critique? Make sure to support your conclusions with evidence from the text. Outside research is not required, but may be included if you wish.

Choose two of the texts from the unit - Frankenstein, Edward Scissor Hands, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, or Dracula – and write an essay comparing the way the texts incorporate horror or fantasy. For example you might compare The portrayal of the “monsters” in Dracula and Frankenstein, or the way The Picture of Dorian Grey and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tackle the notion of right and wrong. Feel free to pair whichever two texts you see fit as long as you find some point of comparison to discuss in your paper. Be sure to clear your paring and topic with me.

Research the societal issues in Victorian England. Using one of the four novels from our unit write an essay discussing any societal issues reflected in the text. For example you might write about the “New Woman” phenomenon and how the female characters in Dracula do or do not comment upon that phenomenon, or you might use Frankenstein to discuss the impact of Darwin’s Origin of the Species had upon Victorian society. Make sure to support your conclusions with evidence from the text. Tackle any topic you choose, just clear it with me first.

Analytic Essay Rubric

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  Peer-workshop 1 draft May 2th
  
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  Peer-workshop 2 revised draft May 7th
  
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  Turned in on time May 13th
  

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  Double spaced
  
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  12 point font
  
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  5 full pages
  

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  Clear coherent sequence of paragraphs
  
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  Effective transitions
  
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  Clear focus throughout
  

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  Correct MLA usage
  
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  Free of Grammar errors
  

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  Follows directions from prompt
  
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  Well developed original premise
  
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  All conclusions supported with textual evidence
  
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  Written with respect for audience and purpose
  

Through the composition of this essay students will demonstrate their understanding of the importance of specific elements and themes in the texts covered in this unit. Depending on which prompt they select they may demonstrate their understanding of the importance of “fantasy” to these novels, and how those texts incorporate “fantasy” into their structure and the conveyance of theme. Additionally students should be able to make connections between the texts and important societal issues that occurred during the time period in which the texts were composed. Students should be able to make thematic and structural connections among the texts themselves as well.

A student essay which demonstrates this understanding should make extensive use of the text to support any assertions put forth in the paper. The essay should fully and thoroughly answer the prompt with thoughtful, not cursory conclusions. These prompts are designed not to have an “answer” so to speak, but require students to begin with a premise and work to prove its validity using their own conclusions about the text as evidence.

An essay is an appropriate method of assessment for determining students understanding of the thematic and structural concerns of these texts. The prompts for an essay can be tailored to ask for students to address very specific concerns, while remaining open ended and allowing for students to come to their own conclusions about how to respond to those concerns. The essay forces students to adhere to a specific format, and to write for a specific audience, while allowing them room to demonstrate their learning in way that is their own. Their conclusions may or may not have anything in common with what their classmates gleaned from the assignment. An essay forces students to really engage with the text itself on a fundamental level.

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  You will randomly be assigned a side in the debate “effective” versus “ineffective” and randomly assigned a partner. Since there are 32 students in the class, eight people will be assigned to each of the 4 novels.
  
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  At the beginning of class you will submit a sheet ranking the four books in order of which book you would prefer to debate over. I will attempt to distribute your choices as fairly as possible.
  
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  Your debate will last a total of 10 to 15 minutes, but you will also turn in a type written two-page written summary of the position you have taken in the debate. You will turn in a hard copy with cited research, and post the written body of the summary to a web blog on the Friday before presentations of the live debate begin.
  
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  There will be lab time set aside in class to prepare for this assignment. You must attend and participate in the labs; they will be part of your final grade for the debate.
  

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  2 typed pages.
  
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  Free of grammar errors.
  
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  Summarizes argument and incorporates any research you did for the topic.
  
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  Attach a works cited in MLA format.
  

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  Should not exceed 15 minutes in length.
  
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  Display of good presentation skills i.e. good eye contact, articulation)
  
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  Appropriate behavior exhibited towards opponent at all times.
  

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  May 15^th : Book assignments and brainstorming lab session in class.
  
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  May 19^th: Research session in computer lab.
  
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  May 21st: Research session, and refining session.
  
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  May 22^cnd: Summary due. In class practice with partner.
  
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  May 24^th, 25^th, 26^th, 27^th, 28^th : Debates
  

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  Attendance of and participation in class labs and workshops
  
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    May 15th
    
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    May 19^th
    
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    May 21^st
    
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    May 22^nd
    

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  Completion of summary
  
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    2 typed page
    
  • 
    Works cited
    
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    Clear coherent presentation of argument
    
  • 
    Free of grammatical errors
    

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  Turned in and posted on time.
  
  • 
    All responses to fellow student posts are appropriate
    

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  Good Presentation skills
  
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  Appropriate behavior
  
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  Polite appropriate behavior exhibited towards opponent
  
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  Prepared accurate presentation of materials
  
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    Evidence of knowledge of text
    
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    Evidence of research knowledge
    

Through this task students will demonstrate the understanding that the form and content of a work seriously impact the impression that work makes or is capable of making. Students should be able to relate the real world issues from the text to the manner in which those texts confront those issues. Students should be able to understand the effects of literature beyond the classroom setting and discuss the reactions of a real audience. Students should understand that literature does not exist in a vacuum.

Student performance that demonstrates this understanding would consist of a well conducted debate that shows both evidence of the student grasping and analyzing the text, as well as being able to extrapolate the themes of the text and apply them to a real world setting. This should be evident in the student’s reference to research they conduct during the in class labs. Should the student have poor presentation skills they have a chance to make up the poor performance in their written summary and blog post.

This task is an excellent summation to the unit because it forces students to question the validity of what they have been learning and make some meaning out of it. They must engage in higher level thinking skills to complete the task and they must draw upon knowledge they have gained throughout the course of the unit. The task requires them to prepare for an audience and to look at real world correlations in the text that may not necessarily show up on a standardized test.

1. 
   A novel divided into a prologue, chapters, and epilogue.
   
2. 
   A novel told in first person and divided into sections composed from the “diaries” of its main characters.
   
3. 
   A non –fiction collection of first hand accounts.
   
4. 
   A narrative poem composed in blank verse.
   

___ 2. The action of the novel takes place in

1. 
   London
   
2. 
   Romania
   
3. 
   Transylvania
   
4. 
   Both A and B
   
5. 
   Both A and C
   

1. 
   The carriage he is riding in breaks down and he has to spend the night in the counts palace while the carriage is repaired.
   
2. 
   He is doing research for a book about Eastern European nobles.
   
3. 
   Count Dracula is interested in buying property in London and Jonathan is sent to aid the count with his purchases.
   
4. 
   Jonathan is a Vampire hunter out to hunt down and kill the Count.
   

___ 4. Who does Lucy finally choose to marry?

1. 
   Arthur Holmwood
   
2. 
   Dr. Seward
   
3. 
   Quincey P. Morris
   
4. 
   Dr. Van Helsing.
   
5. 
   Jonathan Harker
   

___ 5. How is Dr. Seward acquainted with Dr. Van Helsing?

1. 
   Van Helsing is Seward’s Uncle.
   
2. 
   Dr. Seward was a student of Dr. Van Helsing’s.
   
3. 
   They studied Vampires together when they did their residency in Transylvania.
   
4. 
   The hospital recommended Van Helsing when Seward sought advice about Lucy’s vampire bite.
   

1. 
   He eats flies, spiders, and rats and keeps a notebook tally of all the lives he consumes through eating them.
   
2. 
   He laughs at Lucy’s funeral.
   
3. 
   He commits sacrilege by sealing Lucy’s tomb with the holy sacrament, then says he has an indulgence from the Pope to do so.
   
4. 
   Both B and C
   

___ 7. How is Renfield ultimately important in the novel?

1. 
   Renfield is a distraction for Dr. Seward when the Dr. is trying to get over Lucy’s rejection.
   
2. 
   He attacks and kills Quincey.
   
3. 
   He interprets Mina’s dreams after she is contaminated by Dracula.
   
4. 
   His fits and rages are predictors of when the Count is on the move or near at hand.
   

___ 8. The decision to keep Mina out of the hunt for the Count ultimately proves

1. 
   Wise because the men would have been distracted from their purpose by their worry for her safety
   
2. 
   Foolish because it leaves her vulnerable to the Count who bites her like he did Lucy.
   
3. 
   A mixed bag because while Mina ends up figuring out what the Count is up to She ends up making it easy for the Count to track the vampire hunters.
   
4. 
   All of the above
   

___ 9. How many vampires actually appear in the novel?

1. 
   1
   
2. 
   2
   
3. 
   9
   
4. 
   0
   
5. 
   5
   

___ 10. Who finally kills Count Dracula?

1. 
   Renfield
   
2. 
   No one he gets away
   
3. 
   Dr. Van Helsing
   
4. 
   Mina Murray
   
5. 
   None of the Above
   

1. 
   Mina Murray
   
2. 
   Dr. Seward
   
3. 
   Jonathan Harker
   
4. 
   Lucy Westenra
   
5. 
   Dr. Van Helsing
   

___ 1. The appearance of Dracula’s brides

___ 2. Arthur impales Lucy

___ 3. Dracula arrives in London

___ 4. Dracula’s brides are defeated

___ 5. Lucy starts sleepwalking

___ 6. We learn that how Lucy’s mother died

___ 7. Dr. Van Helsing discovers the cause of Lucy’s illness

___ 8. Jonathan discovers Dracula is a Vampire

___ 9. Renfield lets Dracula into the asylum

___ 10. Dracula is defeated.
Part III: Essay 15 points

Answer the following two questions in a short paragraph. Use complete sentences and make references to the text to support your answer. NOTE: These are not meant to be one sentence answers. Think about the question before answering.

1. 
   What is Dracula’s motivation for coming to London?
   

2. 
   How does Mina’s gender become an issue for the vampire hunters later in the novel?
   

1. 
   A novel divided into a prologue, chapters, and epilogue.
   
2. 
   A novel told in first person and divided into sections composed from the “diaries” of its main characters.
   
3. 
   A non –fiction collection of first hand accounts.
   
4. 
   A narrative poem composed in blank verse.
   

_E__ 2. The action of the novel takes place in

1. 
   London
   
2. 
   Romania
   
3. 
   Transylvania
   
4. 
   Both A and B
   
5. 
   Both A and C
   

1. 
   The carriage he is riding in breaks down and he has to spend the night in the counts palace while the carriage is repaired.
   
2. 
   He is doing research for a book about Eastern European nobles.
   
3. 
   Count Dracula is interested in buying property in London and Jonathan is sent to aid the count with his purchases.
   
4. 
   Jonathan is a Vampire hunter out to hunt down and kill the Count.
   

_A__ 4. Who does Lucy finally choose to marry?

1. 
   Arthur Holmwood
   
2. 
   Dr. Seward
   
3. 
   Quincey P. Morris
   
4. 
   Dr. Van Helsing.
   
5. 
   Jonathan Harker
   

_B__ 5. How is Dr. Seward acquainted with Dr. Van Helsing?

1. 
   Van Helsing is Seward’s Uncle.
   
2. 
   Dr. Seward was a student of Dr. Van Helsing’s.
   
3. 
   They studied Vampires together when they did their residency in Transylvania.
   
4. 
   The hospital recommended Van Helsing when Seward sought advice about Lucy’s vampire bite.
   

_D__ 6. What does Dr. Van Helsing do that makes him seem unconventional to the other characters?

1. 
   He eats flies, spiders, and rats and keeps a notebook tally of all the lives he consumes through eating them.
   
2. 
   He laughs at Lucy’s funeral.
   
3. 
   He commits sacrilege by sealing Lucy’s tomb with the holy sacrament, then says he has an indulgence from the Pope to do so.
   
4. 
   Both B and C
   

_D__ 7. How is Renfield ultimately important in the novel?

1. 
   Renfield is a distraction for Dr. Seward when the Dr. is trying to get over Lucy’s rejection.
   
2. 
   He attacks and kills Quincey.
   
3. 
   He interprets Mina’s dreams after she is contaminated by Dracula.
   
4. 
   His fits and rages are predictors of when the Count is on the move or near at hand.
   

_B__ 8. The decision to keep Mina out of the hunt for the Count ultimately proves

1. 
   Wise because the men would have been distracted from their purpose by their worry for her safety
   
2. 
   Foolish because it leaves her vulnerable to the Count who bites her like he did Lucy.
   
3. 
   A mixed bag because while Mina ends up figuring out what the Count is up to She ends up making it easy for the Count to track the vampire hunters.
   
4. 
   All of the above
   

_E__ 9. How many vampires actually appear in the novel?

1. 
   1
   
2. 
   2
   
3. 
   9
   
4. 
   0
   
5. 
   5
   

_E__ 10. Who finally kills Count Dracula?

1. 
   Renfield
   
2. 
   No one he gets away
   
3. 
   Dr. Van Helsing
   
4. 
   Mina Murray
   
5. 
   None of the Above
   

1. 
   Mina Murray
   
2. 
   Dr. Seward
   
3. 
   Jonathan Harker
   
4. 
   Lucy Westenra
   
5. 
   Dr. Van Helsing
   

_C__ 1. The appearance of Dracula’s brides

_B__ 2. Arthur impales Lucy

_A__ 3. Dracula arrives in London

_E__ 4. Dracula’s brides are defeated

_A__ 5. Lucy starts sleepwalking

_D__ 6. We learn that how Lucy’s mother died

_B__ 7. Dr. Van Helsing discovers the cause of Lucy’s illness

_C__ 8. Jonathan discovers Dracula is a Vampire

_B__ 9. Renfield lets Dracula into the asylum

_E__ 10. Dracula is defeated.

Part III: Essay 15 points

Answer the following two questions in a short paragraph. Use complete sentences and make references to the text to support your answer. NOTE: These are not meant to be one sentence answers. Think about the question before answering.

3. 
   What is Dracula’s motivation for coming to London?
   

• 
  Power and desire for domination
  
• 
  He wants to restore himself to greatness
  
• 
  He is a monster that thirsts for blood but the people of his country are used to and wise to his tricks
  

4. 
   How does Mina’s gender become an issue for the vampire hunters later in the novel?
   

• 
  The men do not want Mina to be endangered so they decide to try and “spare” her knowledge of their hunt for Dracula.
  
• 
  Mina’s secretarial skills are a useful aid in that she can transcribe Seward’s phonograph diary and type a copy of all the diaries for the hunters use in familiarizing themselves with Dracula.
  
• 
  She becomes a vulnerability because Dracula attacks her, knowing he will deal a severe blow to the other men through hurting her.
  

By taking this test students will demonstrate their understanding of the characters, events, and structure of Dracula. The task measures their topical and factual knowledge of the book, which provides a foundation for deeper understanding that will be achieved through class discussions. Further, it support deeper probing of the issues raised in the book through analysis in the academic prompt and performance task later in the semester.