As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

As I Lay Dying by William Faulkner

Subject: English Literature, American Literature, Southern Literature (can be adapted)

Grade Level: 11-12 (due to complex narrative structure and mature themes)

Time Allotment: 4-6 weeks

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to analyze the themes of death, family dysfunction, and the search for meaning in the American South.
  • Students will be able to identify and interpret the significance of multiple narrators and stream-of-consciousness narration.
  • Students will be able to evaluate the portrayal of the Bundren family and the challenges they face in a harsh and unforgiving environment.
  • Students will be able to discuss the use of symbolism and imagery to explore the characters' internal struggles and motivations.
  • Students will be able to analyze the novel's contribution to Southern Gothic literature and its exploration of the complexities of the human condition.

Materials:

  • Copies of "As I Lay Dying" by William Faulkner
  • Whiteboard/Projector
  • Markers/Pens
  • Chart paper or handout for note-taking
  • Map of the Southern United States (optional)
  • Images depicting the Mississippi Delta region (optional)

Lesson Procedures:

Week 1: Introduction and Southern Gothic

  1. Brainstorming: Begin by asking students what they know about death and dying rituals in different cultures. Discuss the concept of the American South and its portrayal in literature. Consider showing a map of the Southern United States (optional).
  2. William Faulkner and Southern Gothic: Introduce William Faulkner as a prominent figure in Southern Gothic literature, a genre exploring themes of death, decay, and the grotesque in the American South. Briefly discuss the characteristics of Southern Gothic.

Weeks 2-3: Fragmented Voices and Family Dynamics

  1. Reading and Analyzing: Divide the novel into manageable sections, focusing on a single narrator per section. Students engage in close reading activities, analyzing the motivations, biases, and internal struggles of each character through their unique narration.
  2. Stream of Consciousness: Analyze the use of stream-of-consciousness narration and how it allows readers to experience the unfiltered thoughts and emotions of each character.
  3. A Dysfunctional Family: Discuss the portrayal of the Bundren family and the complex dynamics at play. How do the characters' relationships with each other and with Addie influence their actions?

Weeks 4-5: Symbolism and Setting

  1. Character Analysis: In small groups, students analyze the use of symbolism throughout the novel, considering elements like the journey itself, the decaying mule, and the Mississippi River. How do these symbols contribute to the characters' development and the overall themes of the novel? Consider images depicting the Mississippi Delta region (optional).
  2. Harsh Realities: Explore the harsh realities of poverty, social isolation, and limited opportunities faced by the Bundren family in the Mississippi Delta. How does the setting contribute to the characters' sense of desperation and their struggle for survival?
  3. The Search for Meaning: Discuss the characters' individual quests for meaning in the face of death and hardship. How do their actions and internal monologues reflect their search for redemption or understanding?

Week 6 (Optional):

  1. Creative Response: Students can choose a creative response activity, such as writing a diary entry from a character's perspective reflecting on a specific event during the journey, creating a family tree depicting the relationships and conflicts within the Bundren family, or writing a poem from the perspective of a secondary character expressing their observations of the family.
  2. Essay Writing: Students write an essay analyzing a specific theme or literary device (e.g., stream-of-consciousness narration, symbolism) and its significance in the novel. The essay should consider Faulkner's exploration of family dynamics, the harsh realities of the South, and the characters' search for meaning to support their analysis.

Differentiation:

  • Provide pre-reading activities, chapter summaries, or audio recordings of individual narrator sections for struggling readers.
  • Offer extension activities for advanced readers, such as researching the history of the Mississippi Delta and comparing "As I Lay Dying" with other works of Southern Gothic literature.
  • Modify assignments to cater to different learning styles (e.g., auditory learners can participate in a read-aloud activity focusing on specific narrator voices)

Assessment:

  • Participation in class discussions and group activities
  • Quality of notes, presentations, and creative responses (if applicable)
  • Analysis of themes, stream-of-consciousness narration, symbolism, and character motivations
  • Essay writing (if applicable)

Extension Activities:

  • Students can research the concept of existentialism and its connection to themes of death and meaning-making in the novel.