Billy Budd by Herman Melville

Literature Lesson Plans - Sykalo Eugen 2024

Billy Budd by Herman Melville

Grade Level: This lesson plan is designed for high school students (grades 9-12) but can be adapted for advanced middle school students.

Subject: English Literature

Time Allotment: This lesson plan is designed for 5-7 class periods, depending on the depth of discussion and activities chosen.

Learning Objectives:

  • Students will be able to identify the major characters in Billy Buddand analyze their motivations and roles in the story.
  • Students will be able to define and discuss key themes in the novel, such as good vs. evil, the individual vs. society, justice vs. order, and innocence vs. experience.
  • Students will be able to analyze the role of symbolism and literary devices in Melville's writing.
  • Students will be able to develop and support a clear thesis statement regarding a complex moral question raised in the novel.

Materials:

  • Copies of Billy Buddby Herman Melville (adapted version for students if necessary)
  • Whiteboard or projector
  • Markers or pens
  • Chart paper or sticky notes
  • Handouts with discussion questions or activity prompts

Lesson Procedure:

Day 1: Introduction and Setting the Stage

  1. Do Now: Begin with a brainstorming activity. Ask students to share their associations with the word "justice." Record their ideas on the board.
  2. Introduction: Briefly introduce Herman Melville and his literary background. Discuss the historical context of the novel, focusing on the British Navy's strict code of conduct and the concept of press ganging (forced recruitment).
  3. Setting the Stage: Divide students into small groups and assign them different chapters from the beginning of the novel. Have each group identify key plot points, introduce the main characters they encounter (Billy Budd, Captain Vere, Claggart), and discuss the overall setting and atmosphere.
  4. Class Discussion: Facilitate a class discussion where each group shares their findings. Encourage students to analyze the characters' first impressions and how the setting foreshadows potential conflicts.

Day 2 & 3: Character Analysis and Thematic Exploration

  1. Character Analysis: Deeper dives into the main characters are crucial. Dedicate a day to Billy Budd, focusing on his innocence, physical beauty, and inability to speak for himself. Then, analyze John Claggart, exploring his malice, envy, and manipulation. Finally, discuss Captain Vere, his sense of duty, his internal conflict, and his tragic flaw.
  2. Thematic Exploration: Throughout these days, use assigned readings or class discussions to explore the major themes of the novel.

✵ Good vs. Evil: How is this conflict portrayed through the characters and plot?

✵ Individual vs. Society: How does the rigid structure of the navy impact individual freedoms?

✵ Justice vs. Order: Is Captain Vere's decision to uphold order a form of justice?

✵ Innocence vs. Experience: How does Billy Budd's innocence affect his fate? Are there other characters who represent innocence or experience?

  1. Close Reading and Symbolism: Select key passages that showcase Melville's use of symbolism. Discuss how imagery, character descriptions, and specific objects contribute to the story's meaning. For example, analyze the significance of Billy Budd's stammer, Captain Vere's stargazing, or the image of the drumhead court.

Day 4: Literary Devices and Authorial Voice

  1. Literary Devices: Melville employs various literary devices to create a powerful narrative. Dedicate a class period to identifying and analyzing these devices. This could include figurative language (similes, metaphors), foreshadowing, dramatic irony, and the role of the narrator.
  2. Authorial Voice: Discuss the narrator's role in the story. Is the narrator objective or biased? How does Melville use the narrator to shape the reader's perception of events?
  3. Debate Preparation: Pose a central moral question raised by the novel. For example, "Was Captain Vere justified in executing Billy Budd?" Divide the class into two groups for a debate the following day.

Day 5: Debate and Wrap-Up

  1. Debate: Facilitate a classroom debate on the chosen moral question. Students should use evidence from the text to support their arguments.
  2. Wrap-Up: After the debate, have a class discussion to summarize the key themes and characters in Billy Budd.
  3. Exit Ticket: As a formative assessment, provide students with an exit ticket that asks them to write a short reflection on the novel's lasting impact or a specific character.
  4. 4. Creative Activities (Optional):
  • Depending on class time and student interest, offer creative activities to solidify understanding and engagement. These can be done in place of, or in addition to, the exit ticket.

✵ Mock Trial: Divide the class into prosecution and defense teams, holding a mock trial to determine Captain Vere's guilt or innocence in Billy Budd's death.

✵ Journal Entry from a Character's Perspective: Have students write a journal entry from the perspective of a character, reflecting on the events of the novel.

✵ Poetry or Songwriting: Students can write a poem or short song inspired by a character or theme in the novel.

Differentiation:

  • This lesson plan can be adapted to cater to students with different learning styles and abilities.

✵ Struggling Readers: Provide students with adapted versions of the text, audiobooks, or graphic novel adaptations. Offer graphic organizers or sentence starters to support close reading activities.

✵ Advanced Readers: Challenge advanced readers with independent research on the historical context, literary criticism surrounding the novel, or Melville's other works.

✵ Kinesthetic Learners: Incorporate kinesthetic activities like role-playing character interactions or acting out key scenes.

Assessment:

  • Throughout the unit, use a variety of assessment methods to gauge student learning:

✵ Class Participation: Observe and assess student participation in discussions, debates, and group activities.

✵ Close Reading Analysis: Evaluate students' written responses to close reading activities and their ability to identify literary devices.

✵ Debate Performance: Assess students' arguments, use of evidence, and overall performance during the debate.

✵ Exit Ticket: Review students' exit tickets to understand their comprehension of the novel's themes and lasting impact.

Extension Activities:

  • Students can research the concept of "impressment" or forced recruitment in the British Navy.
  • Explore the concept of justice in different cultures and historical periods.
  • Watch a film adaptation of Billy Budd(if available) and compare it to the novel.