Aim: How does a writer create effects through the connotations of words and images?
WARM-UP AND CLASS DISCUSSION :
Do Now : Describe an event in your life that at first seemed like fun, yet after the incident concluded you were ashamed or disappointed with yourself.
Why do you believe you felt that way?
To answer this question, I wrote about a time I was particularly indifferent towards a younger cousin of mine a few years ago. The shame and regret I felt was very clear at that moment and the reason as to why I felt that way would be similar to a lot of people’s answers. Because I was a capricious and confused child.
My classmates also shared some answers. Many of the volunteered responses included their family members. Most notably, their siblings or cousins. The teacher also took some time explaining her own story, detailing her experience with her cousin in Florida when she was younger. A classmate, Nathan, also shared their story and explained an instance which involved his younger sister’s indifference to going to the bouncy castle. This ended up with her shoulder being dislocated and my classmate’s deep regret.
A constant theme in the experiences shared today in class involve rash decisions and at the time, current indifference towards the consequences of their actions.
INTERACTIVE GAME (KAHOOT QUIZ) :
Link : “Marigolds” Kahoot Link
After the Do Now, the class played a Kahoot game about the short story, Marigolds, by Eugenia Collier. Previously, we had already read and annotated the passage at home. This Kahoot game was to test our knowledge on the events of the story and to review the story’s various literary elements and symbolic meanings. The game had 15 questions, which all students had to answer.
TEAM COLLABORATION :
This portion of class included the class working together with their partners/teams to solve 6 questions about the Marigolds story. Before we got to work, however, the teacher began by explaining the importance of rephrasing the question. Rephrasing questions is essential to future tests like the regents and also school projects and assessments.
Afterwards, we split up into teams to solve the questions assigned :
In Paragraph 22, why are the marigolds so important to Miss Lottie, and why do the children hate them? a. What stands out about the imagery in paragraphs 22 and 27?
In paragraph 22, the marigolds are so important they were the joy and light in Ms. Lottie’s life. However, the children hated them because they offered a contrast between the beauty of the flowers and the devastation of their environment and living situations.
a.The thing that stands out in the imagery in paragraphs 22 and 27 is the descriptions about the marigolds and later, how the damage the kids had done to the flowers affected the narrator. Paragraph and how symbolic it was to the overall text.
In paragraph 22, the marigolds are so important they were the joy and light in Ms. Lottie’s life. However, the children hated them because they offered a contrast between the beauty of the flowers and the devastation of their environment and living situations.
Describe the internal conflict occurring for the narrator, Lizabeth. Find “textual evidence” to support your statement.
The internal conflict occurring for the narrator includes her being forced to grow up due to her environment and circumstances but also her desire to slow down and live her childhood. This is best supported when the author states, “I had indeed lost my mind, for all the smoldering emotions of that summer swelled in me and burst—the great need for my mother who was never there, the hopelessness of our poverty and degradation, the bewilderment of being neither child nor woman and yet both at once, the fear unleashed by my father’s tears.” This quote explains how Elizabeth felt overwhelmed and confused about how quick she was forced to move.
Lizabeth overhears her parents’ conversation. How does it make her feel? What is the consequence of her hearing this conversation?
It makes her feel helpless and upset. She feels sympathy for her father since he is no longer employed and his whole image in the family has changed. This change keeps her up at night and makes her feel overwhelmed and resentful towards the marigolds in Ms. Lottie’s garden. She goes to Miss Lottie’s garden in the middle of the night.
What can you infer from the text as to Lizabeth’s reasons for her final act of destruction?
I can infer that the reason for Lizabeth’s final act of destruction is because she was frustrated and resentful towards the marigolds. The marigolds were the beauties amidst all the desperation and poverty in Lizabeth’s life. However, this did not make her feel relieved. She hated that they were beautiful and not at all like how her reality consisted of. Which is why she felt determined to destroy them.
Paragraphs 57 & 60 are especially rich in Juxtaposition. Juxtaposition: (pronounced juhk-stuh-puh--zish--uh-n) is the placement of two or more things side by side, often in order to bring out their differences. Imagine a man walking a well-groomed dog on a pink leash on one hand and a rough Rottweiler on a spiked collar on the other hand. The juxtaposition could be shocking, humorous, or just plain strange. Regardless, this literary term calls attention to two distinctly different things by placing them right beside one another, or juxtaposing them. Examine the diction and imagery and show your understanding of juxtaposition by identifying two images or words set up for comparison.
An example of juxtaposition includes the marigolds, a beautiful and vibrant flower, in comparison to the dust filled town. The writer uses phrases like “arid, sterile dust” and “brown, crumbly dust of late summer.” The use of figurative language also adds on to the extent of the insufferable environment the narrator endured. In comparison, she describes the marigolds as “a dazzling strip of bright blossoms” and “warm and passionate and sun-golden.” The use of description allows the reader to picture the marigolds and their impact on the town. The narrator also uses figurative language which accentuates its contrast to the gloomy atmosphere of the narrator’s home.
Consider the last sentence of the story… “And I too have planted marigolds.” ...and make inferences about whether the narrator is speaking literally, figuratively, or both.
I can infer that the narrator is speaking figuratively. Marigolds acted as the only light in Miss Lottie's hard life which is why she treasured them so much. So like Miss Lottie, after destroying the flowers and acknowledging her mistakes, she too has found something that brings her joy. Although it may be small, she was able to find a light in her life as well to enjoy.
INDIVIDUAL ACTIVITY :
Directions :
Brainstorm here! Try to describe the narrator’s voice.
➢ Think of ways to explain how the writer’s diction and imagery create this voice.
➢ You might also mention other literary elements, such as juxtaposition, that contribute to the narrator’s voice or point of view.
The narrator’s voice is very earnest and often shows her reflectiveness. The idea of her sounding earnest comes from her detailing her loss of innocence. It is clear that when she destroyed the marigolds she was able to take her situation into perspective which influenced her later actions. She deeply regretted what she had done which is why she had matured from that experience. As for her ability to reflect, she acknowledges her childish behavior. The gloomy atmosphere she made her house to be contributed to the effect of her devastating financial and personal situation. However, with the use of figurative language and imagery, those factors allowed her to not seem like she was making mere excuses, but simply explaining what led up to her point of destruction.
REFLECTION :
In this lesson, we learned how to analyze a text and the effects of connotations of words and images. Additionally, we were tested on the Marigolds story which reminded me of the warm up done today. The topic in the warm up connected to an event which happened in the Marigolds story. We also learned how to identify specific instances in a text and create an analysis. Therefore, illustrating our thoughts and ideas through text. Also, acknowledging the specific literary elements author's use in their works contribute to our understanding and developing knowledge of literature and language. Overall, I noticed this lesson taught my classmates and I a lot about analyzing texts and finding the deeper meanings and components. With the use of literary elements, authors are able to convey more complicated ideas to the reader. It is up to the reader to determine what the text means. And hopefully, with the help of this lesson, we will also be able to incorporate such elements into our own writing.
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