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To Kill a Mockingbird We will begin with a study of one of the 20 th century’s most famous novels: Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”. W O R D S altruism innocence love faith in human nature ignorance/poverty understanding compassion Gregory Peck (Atticus Finch) and Harper Lee
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VCE English Unit 2
The Context Study:Altruism
Context: altruism• Definition versus “understanding” …
– Does “context” matter?• Examples of altruism: “pro bono” legal work; charities;
“Days” (Clean up Oz etc); • Is it a taught trait? Or an innate instinct? Why are some
people altruistic; others selfish?• Is social political organisation basically altruistic? Or an
expression of a desire for power & control?• Is altruism an expression of rational thought and feeling
– or does it occur in spite of it?
To Kill a MockingbirdWe will begin with a study of one of the 20th
century’s most famous novels: Harper Lee’s “To Kill a Mockingbird”. W O R D S
altruism
innocence
lovefaith in human nature
ignorance/povertyunderstanding
compassionGregory Peck (Atticus Finch) and Harper Lee
About the novel …• First published in 1960.• Filmed – with Gregory Peck (as Atticus Finch) and Mary
Badham (as Scout), in 1962.• Synopsis: A widower with two young children is
appointed to defend a black man accused of raping a white girl in the Alabama town of Maycomb. Many think he shouldn’t try too hard. The case divides the community, as the truth of the incident, and the “cynical” accusation of rape is exposed, forcing the jurors – and the townsfolk – to declare themselves: for justice, or “for” racism, ignorance and inequity.
Tequila and writing …Mood: nostalgic; regretful; Perspectives to explore: child’s view;
social outcasts (or pariahs); reminiscence
Social commentary: poverty/wealth; black v white; country v town; justice & equality.
Structure: ½ & ½; courtroom drama; small town = microcosm
Human nature: fear; greed; pride; prejudice; loneliness; love
Tequila – from character to writing …
Atticus – strong, independent, principled, modest …
Scout – feisty, combative, innocent, curious
Jem – clever, resourceful, observant, courageous
Mayella – desperate; ignorant, afraid
Appeal letter; diary entry; letter to the editor; speech to townsfolk.
Diary; letter to Dill.
Letter to the editor of the Maycomb Tribune;
Diary; letter of apology(?); love letter to Tom.
Tequila - from themes to writing …
☻Compassion☻Empathy☻Love☻Philanthropy☻Hatred/Prejudice☻Suffering☻Nobility☻Innocence/lost☻Growing up
Supplementary texts:Films: Amistad; Cry Freedom; Hotel Rwanda; Pale Rider; Casablanca, Schindler’s
List, Three Kings, Philadelphia
Novels: Tale of Two Cities - Dickens; The Plague – Camus; A burnt-out case – Graham Greene; The Grapes of Wrath – John Steinbeck; or Whom the Bell Tolls – Ernest Hemingway; The Woodlanders – Thomas Hardy [Opp Atlas Shrugged – Ayn Rand!]
Non-fiction: No easy Walk to Freedom – Nelson Mandela; M.K. Ghandi – An autobiography; “Faction”:Schindler’s Ark – Thomas Kenneally.
Songs: What’s so funny about peace, love and understanding? – Elvis Costello; On the turning away – Pink Floyd; Rachel – Russel Morris; Peace of Earth – U2.
Short story: The Giving Plague – David Brin http://www.davidbrin.com/givingplague1.html
Metalanguage• form: the overall format of your piece of writing: short story, poem, blog entry, film
script etc. • genre: the style within the form; 'detective fiction', 'love poetry'. Genres often have
certain conventions or expectations which you can follow, or sometimes break with, to great effect
• imagery: how have you used imagery to give your writing power? What effect/s do you intend? Does this permeate the entire piece? All three?
• narrative perspective: Who is telling your story? Why this person?• person: the authorial perspective, first person: 'I', second person: 'You', third person:
'She/He/They ‘• style: is there a pattern in your writing that emulates that of another writer, or some
other distinctive form?• tone: the sound of the voice. Of course this will change through a piece, but if you are
striving for a particular or specific tone at a particular point it might be worth saying so.
• voice: accent, slang – articulate, or broken English?• structure: how have you constructed your pieces? Are they directly linked?
Sequenced in event? Or time? Or stages in the existence of a character?
The outcome is … or should be …
• One timed writing exercise. This extended response will be ONE piece of writing. This will be completed as an in-class exercise. You will be expected to discuss a (prompt) question/proposition related to the notion/s of altruistic behaviour explored in Tequila. YOU will devise the writing style and focus to explore the prompt and the Context through the text. You might -
• tell a story of an altruistic act – parable?• write a discussion of the origins of altruistic behaviour.• construct an exploration of the altruistic behaviour or principles in
one or more films.• write a news story on someone’s altruistic actions or an editorial
recommending (or commending) altruistic attitudes. Ie: “The myth of altruism – busted!”
• develop a continuation of the novel, or an extrat chapter to be inserted.
• … and many more!
Set tasks• Task 1: Find, over the mid-year holidays, a film or book that deals
with altruism (fiction, biography, non-fiction, doco …). Prepare a presentation to give in class as well as a written response to the piece (see Task sheet on Blog).
• Write a biography of a philanthropist – is THIS altruism?• Short writing task: Scout stands up for Walter Cunningham in class,
despite knowing that she is getting into trouble herself. Write an account of a time you remember as a child where you – or someone you know – stood up, selflessly for someone in trouble. (Or where they should have, but didn’t …)
• Task 3: Discuss this statement: “Just because it makes you feel good doesn’t mean it’s not altruistic.”
• Task 4: Write an article on Tom Robinson’s trial for the Maycomb Tribune. This could be a report, or an editorial or comment piece.
ALTRUISM• ... is the willing subordination of one's own interests or well-being for
the sake of something or someone else. • … is the investment of time, money and self in the interests of some
other person or project for no thought of personal gain.• The word "altruism" is derived from French autre "other", in turn
from Latin alter "other”. It was coined by Auguste Comte, the French founder of positivism describing the ethical doctrine he supported – that individuals have a moral obligation to serve the "greater good" of humanity.
• There is some debate about the nature of altruism: psychologically is it innate? Intuitive – or counter-intuitive?
Final thoughts …
You're too altruistic for your own good, mate - always standing up for other people's rights!