Pride and Prejudice

Why do people still read Pride and Prejudice?

Pride and Prejudice. Jane Austen's most famous novel. We can't read the whole book in a week, sadly... but we can do the next best thing! We'll be analyzing the story through the mega A&E production and tracking themes as we watch.

Module summary:

learn background context about Jane Austen's society
watch all six episodes of the A&E production of Pride and Prejudice
choose themes to track while watching
discuss themes, characters, plot as a group
analyze one theme in an essay

essential questions

How do themes add depth to a story?
How does literature reflect on its time?
Why is effective note taking important?

goals

Students will understand that themes allow the reader/audience to connect with the story by adding overarching ideas to the plot.
Students will understand that writers can use themes to highlight or reflect on issues within their society.
Students will understand that effective note taking makes reflecting on ideas easier, whether through discussion or writing.

activities

Monday

Warm-up:
Syllabus and overview
Mini-lecture: Jane Austen and the Regency Period
- take notes on each category
Watch Episode 1 of Pride and Prejudice
- takes notes on plot and characters
- discuss and fill in character map
Watch Episode 2
- take notes on two themes: reputation and women's roles
- discuss themes
Exit slip: reflect on what Austen may have been saying about her society through either reputation or women's roles in Ep. 1 & 2

Tuesday

Plot recap
Choose themes to track independently throughout the remainder of the show - two themes should provide different lenses (choices: pride, prejudice, reputation, class, love, marriage, women, wealth, individuality, freedom, deceit)
Watch Episode 3
- take notes on your two themes: list specific moments that express theme and/or observations about characters based on themes
Class discussion: how does the movie so far compare with the historical context? what are your impressions of the characters?
Individual writing: reflect on two themes so far: what are you observing? what do you think of the characters based on your themes? (~1 paragraph per theme) - turn in as exit slip

Wednesday

30-second plot recap
Watch Episode 4
- continue with thematic notes
- share theme observations briefly
Watch Episode 5
- Update notes
Discussion: how is your understanding of your themes changing - or your understanding of the characters as a result of the themes?
Exit slip: reaction to the immortal P&P so far?

Thursday

30-second plot recap
Watch Episode 6
- finalize notes
- wrap-up discussion: final observations
Plan out essay: what message does Pride and Prejudice share through one of your focal themes?
- write and share thesis statements with the group
- outline essay
- draft, starting with support paragraphs and then adding intro and conclusion
- exit slip: turn in 3 body paragraphs (or complete rough draft)

Friday

Finish rough draft and critique with writing scoring guide
Conference with Christine
Revise essay
Get syllabus signed off

c-tachs

Reading
Analyze author’s stylistic choices regarding structure and development of the elements of a story, particularly theme
Writing

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through effective selection, organization, and analysis of content

Speaking and Listening

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions
Present information, findings and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective