Common Core Standards
Book: The Shape of Things to Come
Author: Maud Casey
Grade Level: 9-12
Lesson Type: Narrative & POV
This Is Just a Little Bit Funny,
Right?
Concept: Exploring Satire & Dark Humor
Primary Subject Area: English
Secondary Subject Areas: n/a
Common Core Standards Addressed:
Grades 9-10
Grades 11-12
Key Ideas and Details
o Analyze the impact of the author’s choices
regarding how to develop and relate elements
of a story or drama (e.g. where a story is set,
how the action is ordered, how the characters
are introduced and developed).
Craft and Structure
o
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text (e.g. the choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic or traffic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.
Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
o Determine or clarify meaning of unknown o Acquire and use accurately general academic words and phrases by using context clues, and domain-­‐specific words and phrases, analyzing word parts, and consulting general sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and and specific reference materials as needed.
listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
The Shape of Things to Come: Common Core Standards
1
Lesson Plan
This Is Just a Little Bit Funny,
Right?
Book: The Shape of Things to Come
Author: Maud Casey
Grade Level: 9-12
Lesson Type: Narrative and POV
Overview:
Students will discuss satire and dark humor and the role they play in Maud Casey’s The Shape of Things to Come. Materials:
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Objectives:
Students will be able to:
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Define the literary terms “satire” and “dark humor” Recognize elements of satire and dark humor Generate theories on how Maud Casey utilizes satire and what her intentions are as an author/narrator Warm-Up Activity:
To begin, ask the class what they know about satire and dark humor. What are some indicators of satire and/or dark humor? If possible, have them provide examples from other stories or novels they read in the past. If suitable for the class, point them towards Jonathan Swift’s “Modest Proposal,” or Voltaire’s “Candide.” If necessary/desired, provide and discuss an example of satire: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7yfISlGLNU (“I’m On A Boat,” The Lonely Island)
The Shape of Things to Come: Lesson Plan
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Copies of The Shape of Things to Come Copies of satire techniques definition worksheet Copies of “This is Just a Little Bit Funny, Right?” worksheet Other Resources:
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Key Vocabulary Terms
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General
Discussion/Comprehen
sion Questions
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Text References Useful
for Analysis
Assignments or Essay
Question
2
Lesson Plan
This Is Just a Little Bit Funny,
Right?
Book: The Shape of Things to Come
Author: Maud Casey
Grade Level: 9-12
Lesson Type: Narrative and POV
Short Lecture & Partner Activities:
Transition from Warm-­‐Up: Read to the class the Merriam-­‐Webster online definition of satire: “1. a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn. 2. trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly.” And dark humor, some times referred to as black comedy: “1. characterized by grim, distorted, or grotesque satire.” •
Hand out the worksheet on satire techniques in writing. •
Go over the terms with the class and then ask the students to give literary or other examples of each to ensure that they understand the meaning behind them. v Whole-­‐class Activity or Discussion: •
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Pass out the textual references chart. Ask students to skim/re-­‐read the required chapters for instances where Isabel’s narration portrays sarcastic wit or whimsy akin to the techniques addressed in the satire definition worksheet and how her tone reveals how she feels about life. Have them complete the sections of the worksheet. v Partner Activity: •
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In pairs, ask students to identify another section of the text where Isabel’s perspective leans toward the satirical or darkly humorous side. •
Have students fill out the chart, noting page numbers of the passages they have picked out, and have the students write which technique Casey might be using for each passage. Time permitting have students discuss sections where the novel’s narration feels either implicitly or explicitly satirical and/or humorous in a sarcastic or grim way. v Wrap-­‐Up: •
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As a whole class ask students to theorize why Maud Casey chose to incorporate elements of satire and dark humor in her novel. Do the students find it effective, funny? Does it make Isabel seem more or less believable? Why? And what does her tone reveal about how she feels about her life? The Shape of Things to Come: Lesson Plan
3
Lesson Plan
This Is Just a Little Bit Funny,
Right?
Book: The Shape of Things to Come
Author: Maud Casey
Grade Level: 9-12
Lesson Type: Narrative and POV
Writing Activities/Evaluations
Analytical: In a thoughtful essay of 200 to 300 words imagine how the book might be written in the perspective of another character such as Isabel’s mother or her boyfriend Dennis. Would these characters view the world as cynical and humorous as Isabel? How might these characters portray their lives in Standardsville and would you enjoy the book more or less? Why? Creative: Put yourself in Isabel’s sarcastic and witty shoes and write a short story (about 300-­‐500 words) about yourself or someone else. Use the satire terminology worksheet for help with writing techniques or think about popular TV shows such as the Daily Show, The Simpsons, or NBC’s The Office that parody contemporary American life. The Shape of Things to Come: Lesson Plan
4
Discussion & Comprehension Questions
This Is Just a Little Bit Funny,
Right?
Book: The Shape of Things to Come
Author: Maud Casey
Grade Level: 9-12
Lesson Type: Narrative and POV
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In the first chapter Isabelle, the narrator, describes her last day at her old job in San Francisco. How would you describe her way of quitting her dead-­‐end job—in other words, does her tone reveal a sense of empowerment or self-­‐pity? How would you describe Isabelle’s relationship with her mother? Provide textual examples to describe how her tone reveals her feelings for her mother. Does her relationship with her mother explain Isabelle’s cynicism at this point in her life? Why or why not? •
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What does Isabelle mean when she says “I couldn’t wait to feel something that painful” (14) when her mom tells her the story of Henry? Why does Isabelle enjoy impersonating others so much? How does her satirical humor help her pretend so easily and lie all the time? •
Re-­‐read the scene in Walgreens when Isabelle encounters the “gnome-­‐like” woman and the tall man-­‐boy (37). How does humor work here? Does Isabelle find comfort in observing strangers? •
Does Isabelle’s tone sustain throughout the novel? What happens when Raymond enters the mental hospital and Isabel learns the truth about Henry, and about her mother and Raymond? Does satire and humor still play a role during these plot twists? Why or why not? •
How do Isabelle’s imaginative descriptions of Marla reveal her satirical tone? Is it ridicule or pity? The Shape of Things to Come: Discussion & Comprehension Questions
5
Key Vocabulary
This Is Just a Little Bit Funny,
Right?
Word Definition SATIRE A literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn; trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly Humor characterized by grim, distorted, or grotesque satire Characterization of a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in or minimizes selfless acts of disinterested points of view; a characteristic in which a person shows or expresses a bitterly or sneeringly cynical attitude A technique of indicating, as through character or plot development, an intention or attitude opposite to that which is actually or ostensibly stated Harsh or bitter derision or irony; a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark A person who pretends to be another; an actor who impersonates specific persons or types of persons as a form of entertainment DARK HUMOR CYNICISM IRONY SARCASM IMPERSONATOR The Shape of Things to Come: Key Vocabulary
Book: The Shape of Things to Come
Author: Maud Casey
Grade Level: 9-12
Lesson Type: Narrative and POV
6
Text References
This Is Just a Little Bit Funny,
Right?
Book: The Shape of Things to Come
Author: Maud Casey
Grade Level: 9-12
Lesson Type: Narrative and POV
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(Page 1) In the bathroom, my image trembles back at me. Today marks my first-­‐year anniversary at the installation division of a San Francisco phone company where I spend my days, when I’m not answering the phones, copying oversize cable installations maps. Every morning, I brace myself for the white-­‐hot flash, flash, flash of the giant copy machine. Under the fluorescent yellow of the bathroom lights, my face has the glow of a freshly made-­‐up corpse. The bathroom smells like a re-­‐creation of a pine forest. “You’ll look back on this someday and laugh and laugh and laugh,” I say to myself in the mirror. I fake laughter. But, today, my hair pulled away from my face with a motley collection of barrettes and bobby pins, I have a grim realization. I am officially “in my thirties,” and I have never had a grown-­‐up hairdo. •
(Page 24) The photo album is still open to the Twister picture and I realize that I have always thought of my mother, my grandmother, and myself being dragged toward the Twister as somehow real; the fact that the picture has brought a reality to the pose when the pose was just something that my father shouted from behind the camera makes me suspect that, deep down, all desire is fake. (Page 31) “Isabelle,” Marla calls after me. “Be yourself, but remember: Don’t tell anybody who you are.” •
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(Page 33) On these day-­‐to-­‐day stints, I’m hired to answer the phone, but I branch out as it occurs to people that a temp is a minefield of possibilities, someone who is there to do whatever. “You look so together—I bet you would do a great job straightening up the break room. Feel free to give it your own personal touch.” Or “You look like a real alphabet whiz—I bet you’d do a fabulous job filing that stack of papers that’s been cluttering the conference room for the past year.” My name on those days is “you’re not Tiffany” or “you’re definitely not Sarah,” so today, driving to a temp’s idea of a paradise vacation at the Super Cineplex, I am grateful to decide for myself who I’m not. (Page 39) “Aren’t you in San Francisco?” [Dennis] asks. Does it look like I’m in San Francisco? I want to scream. And, no, we are nothing alike, even though here we are, back in the town where we started. “On some weird time continuum, I am in San Francisco right now,” I say instead. I’m going for coy and evasive, but instead I just sound weird. “Isabelle,” he says. His sympathetic tone makes me want to punch him. He uses my name to lay claim to whatever he still can. “Why are you dressed like a business lady?” “Because.” I take a deep breath and exhale the words that offer themselves, helpless sound sacrifices launched from my tongue. “I am here on business, Dennis. As difficult as it may be for you to believe, I am a business lady now. I do business.” The Shape of Things to Come: Text References
The Shape of Things to Come: Worksheet
“Satire is a sort of glass, wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own.” — Jonathan Swift, The Battle of the Books, 1704. Helpful Definitions: Satire (noun): 1. a literary work holding up human vices and follies to ridicule or scorn. 2. trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly Dark Humor (noun): humor characterized by grim, distorted or grotesque satire. Sarcasm (noun): harsh or bitter irony or derision; a sharply ironical taunt Part 1: With a partner skim over chapters 3 through 7 and write down page numbers and the first sentence and last sentence of the passage where you find Isabel’s satirical and humorous tone. Part 2: Then, using the helpful definitions above and the satirical techniques definition worksheet, write down a technique for specific parts of the passage when applicable. When not applicable, write down your own description of how Casey’s writing reveals satire (i.e. “Casey uses sarcasm here”) Part 3: After re-­‐reading the passage and indicating a satirical technique Casey is using, explain what the tone reveals (i.e. what does the tone reveal about Isabel?) See the first row for an example: Passage (first and last sentence) and Page number Satirical Technique/ Description of the tone using textual examples What does this reveal? “A new mistress says faster, faster, an old mistress says slower, slower, and a wife…He smiled a world-­‐weary smile to prove he was beyond laughter” (66-­‐67) Exaggeration and incongruity when describing Dennis’s laugh as a sound like a “baby,” “wild birds,” and a “bodily function.” Tone is derisive, poking fun. Isabel does not find Dennis’s bad joke funny but he very obviously does as he laughs out loud. Isabel exaggerates the description of his laugh in order to make fun of him, while at the same time appreciating his laugh when recalling an old ex who never laughed. This reveals her appreciation for Dennis as ridiculous as she portrays him. The Shape of Things to Come: Worksheet
Passage (first and last sentence) and Page number Satirical Technique/ Description of the tone using textual examples What does this reveal? 9