AP Literature and Composition

October 20, 2009

Ms. Cares

AGENDA:

1. Shadrack “Character Man:” check in and discussion.

2. Questions on the text so far: your questions for one another.

3. Archetypal Criticism: an introduction and discussion of Shadrack.

Shadrack

Use textual quotes to support your characterization of Shadrack.

Shadrack•“blasted and permanently astonished” (effects of war)

•“hardly 20” (22)

•“wild” eyes

•voice of “authority and thunder”

Shadrack•“handsome but ravaged”

•hair is “long and matted”

•January 3rd: National Suicide Day (reminiscent of Billy Pilgrim)

Questions on the text?

Before we continue our discussion, we need to first address what questions you have.

When a question is asked, we need to give everyone a moment to come up with the answer (wait time).

Whenever possible, answer one another’s questions by pulling directly from the text.

Archetypal CriticismA type of critical theory that

interprets a text by focusing on recurring myths and archetypes (from the Greek archē, or beginning, and typos, or imprint) in the narrative, symbols, images, and character types in a literary work.

Archetypal Criticism ExamplesSnakes = evil in a variety of texts:

The Bible, Harry Potter, Lord of the Flies (the “beastie”), etc.

“Femme Fatale” often brings doom:

Eve in Genesis and Pandora in Greek Mythology

The Hero’s Journey:

A series of trials must be undertaken as the hero completes his (or her) journey.

Shadrack as an ArchetypeShadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the

Book of Daniel in the Bible.During his reign, Nebuchadnezzar II erected a

statue of himself and commanded all to fall and worship the monument when the instruments played. The consequence for not worshiping during the music was death by burning in the city furnace.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did not bow; when they were burned to death, they were seen walking from the fire with a fourth figure (Christ).

Shadrack as an ArchetypeIs Shadrack guilty of worsiping a false idol?

(By fighting in the war, by starting the holiday? We could interpret this a variety of ways.)

Can Shadrack be saved from the madness caused by the catastrophes and inhumanity of men and war?

What is the role of fire in Shadrack’s life and future?

The allusion of his name is a clue that we need to track his development vis-à-vis the Biblical Shadrach.

Homework

Read pages 17-29.Create a family tree related to Helene’s family.

Write two questions related to the text.