Potential Topics for Paper

Theme:
The Southern American Dream
The Loss of Innocence
Southern Gothic


Characters:
Scout Finch
Boo Radley
Atticus Finch
Mayella Ewell


Symbols:
Southern Belles
Southern Gothic/View of the South

Setting:
Maycomb

Summarizing, Analyzing, Moralizing

Mother to Son

Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor ---
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now ---
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

The Heart of the South

Deconstructing the Southern Belle

The ideal of the Southern Belle represented the core values and qualities of the traditional Southern American Dream. Yet beyond the pretty, flamboyant exterior were serious issues that revealed devastating problems in the South which could no longer be ignored. Your assignment is to analyze the ideal of the Southern Belle and its relationship to the traditional Southern American Dream. Here are your requirements (it is an individual test grade):

1. Read Faulkner's "Dry September"

2. Write a 1.5 page, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 paper on:
     A. What is the traditional, ideal Southern Belle? (need one authentic source)
     B. What is the Southern Belle as portrayed by Faulkner?
     C. What are the two Southern Belle figures in TKMB?
     D. Compare and Contrast all the different portrayals of the Southern Belle.
     E. What does each portrayal of the Southern Belle (traditional, Faulkner, Harper Lee) say about
         the traditional Southern American Dream?

3. Create a construction-type presentation of your paper.
   

Civil Disobedience

War or Peace?

Should civil disobedience be violent or non-violent? Do you believe in a peaceful, demonstrative resistance? Or do you believe in an aggressive, revolutionary resistance? Leave a comment of at least FIVE sentences.

Quick Grading Rubric for Group Assignment

I will handout a more detailed grading rubric soon, but for now here is how you will be graded one your first group assignment: 

25%   One page written analysis of "A Rose for Emily"
               - Grammar, Punctuation, Analysis vs Summary

25%   Original Southern Gothic short story
          - Social issue in Rockingham targeted
               - Not overly goofy

25%   Dramatic presentation
          - Prepared and ready vs Sloppy and last-second
               - Creativity vs Doing the bare minimum 
          - Not overly goofy

25%   Group Accountability
                - Your group members will decide how much of these 25 points you receive
                - If they feel you have been lazy, they can choose to give you zero points
                - This will be done privately, and any disputes will be handled by me

Southern Gothic

A Creepy Look into the Heart of the South

For your first assignment, you will create a Southern Gothic story based on "A Rose for Emily" that targets a social/religious/cultural/racial issue here in Rockingham, NC. Here are the requirements for your assignment:

1. One page, typed, double spaced analysis of "A Rose for Emily" that answers the questions:
    a) What was Faulkner's message about the South in this grotesque story?
    b) What issues with the South was he targeting?
    c) What did the Gothic elements in the story symbolize about the South?
[one inch margins, Times New Roman 12, double spaced]
 
2. Typed, doubled spaced original Southern Gothic story. It must be:
    a) From multiple points of view like "A Rose for Emily" in the first person
    b) Each member must write one double spaced page in the story from a unique point of view.
    c) Make sure you plan as a group the overall theme of your story, how all the viewpoints will    
        come together, your issue targeted...
    d) Avoid being overtly goofy and silly - tackle a legitimate issue.

3. Presentation of your analysis of the short story and original story. You must:
    a) Explain to the class your group's analysis of Faulkner's story.
    b) Introduce to the class your group's original story and how it models Faulkner's story and what
        issue here in Rockingham your group targeted.
    c) Enact a dramatic reading of your original short story. Here are some ideas to consider:
        - Use sound effects (speakers, iPad, etc.)
        - Get into the character of your story!
        - Use costumes, etc.
        - Use appropriate props to create a background, etc.

The American Dream

What do you think is the Southern American Dream? Think about the values, traditions, and history specific to the South. In 3-5 complete sentences, leave a comment stating what you believe makes up the ideal American Dream of the South.