"Write me your essayes, my vocational scholars..." ~ Finnegans Wake
Argumentative Prompts – “The Dead”
Time Frame: 2-3 days
Standards: ELA.10.C.1.3, ELA.10.C.3.1, ELA.10.C.4.1, ELA.10.C.1.5, ELA.10.V.1.1
Informative Prompts – “The Dead”
Time Frame: 2-3 days
Standards: ELA.10.C.1.4, ELA.10.C.3.1, ELA.10.C.4.1, ELA.10.C.1.5, ELA.10.V.1.1
- Should Joyce have ended his story where he did, without a sense of closure between Gabriel and Gretta, and why?
- Was Gabriel’s dinner speech effective for his audience and his goal and why?
- Argue whether or not Gabriel’s cathartic character development by the end of the story was too little too late for the point Joyce was attempting to make.
- While Miss Ivors couldn’t convince Gabriel to go to the west of Ireland and explore more of his own country, was Joyce effective in highlighting the nationalistic complexities of Dublin, a more Protestant and unionist city within The Pale, during the time of debate over Home Rule?
- Argue whether or not Gabriel’s and Gretta’s marriage can withstand the events of the story.
- While there are clear divides in the story between the various social classes, was Joyce effective in making any distinct point or theme in regard to that divide? Was there a message Joyce was conveying to the reader or was he simply showcasing the realistic social structure of early 20th century Dublin?
- (Students should have the option of pitching an alternative prompt for teacher approval if a topic interests them that isn’t listed as what is being assessed here is writing format including attention to audience and purpose, incorporation of textual evidence, and use of standard English.)
Time Frame: 2-3 days
Standards: ELA.10.C.1.3, ELA.10.C.3.1, ELA.10.C.4.1, ELA.10.C.1.5, ELA.10.V.1.1
Informative Prompts – “The Dead”
- How does Joyce use literary, artistic, or musical allusions in his story to convey themes he wishes the reader to appreciate?
- Why does Joyce end his story without a sense of closure between Gabriel and Gretta, with Gretta asleep and Gabriel pondering in front of the frosted window?
- How and why does Gabriel defend himself against character development and growth – such as with Lily in the pantry – but then unavoidably change his outlook on life by the end of the story?
- What does “The Dead” tell the reader about the complexities of Dublin, a more Protestant and unionist city within The Pale, during the time of debate over Home Rule?
- How does Joyce utilize the literary element of symbolism to convey particular themes in “The Dead”?
- (Students should have the option of pitching an alternative prompt for teacher approval if a topic interests them that isn’t listed as what is being assessed here is writing format including attention to audience and purpose, incorporation of textual evidence, and use of standard English.)
Time Frame: 2-3 days
Standards: ELA.10.C.1.4, ELA.10.C.3.1, ELA.10.C.4.1, ELA.10.C.1.5, ELA.10.V.1.1
