Licenciado

CO: SWBAT analyze the treatment of identity (e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, class, religion, etc.) in a given text.

LO: SWBAT determine and evaluate the author's focus on race relations in Huck Finn.

Look at the character of Jim (an escaped slave and Huck's companion).

• Jim is a symbol for something. What does Jim represent?

• What purpose does he serve in the novel? How does he help Huck develop and mature?

• How do you feel about the use of the word "nigger" in Huck Finn?

• How do these images and symbols reflect popular beliefs about black people?

o Bomani Armah, "Read a Book" video

o Original illustrations of Jim for Huck Finn

o Minstrel shows and blackface

o "Arrest black babies" poster

o Savage/primitive Obamacare poster

Assignment 1: Now that you've learned about symbolism, it's time to apply your knowledge to the issue of race relations!

• On one side of your index card, create and draw a symbol about racism.

o Your symbol can be about racism in the present day, or racism/slavery in the time of Huck Finn.

o BE CREATIVE! Use lots of color and fill up the space on your card.

• Underneath your symbol, write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences) explaining how your drawing symbolizes racism. How does your symbol reflect popular beliefs about black people?

Assignment 2: Huck Finn has remained controversial through the years due to its treatment of race. It is your job to decide whether Mark Twain's novel criticizes and challenges racist attitudes, or if it merely perpetuates them.

• Write a strong paragraph (5-6 sentences) explaining how Huck Finn does/does not promote racism. Remember the cheeseburger!

• You must use textual support in your paragraph. That means that you need to include passages in Huck Finn (with quotes and page numbers) that support your argument.

• Here are some hints for the kinds of textual support you can use:

o PROMOTES RACISM: find passages that show how Jim talks and behaves (Jim's character is a stereotype of uneducated, ignorant black people; Jim doesn't do anything without Huck's assistance or permission)

o DOES NOT PROMOTE RACISM: find passages that show Huck and Jim practicing interracial communication and respect, even against the social order (this demonstrates the possibility of equality between the races)

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