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Responses to War
1114
Why Soldiers Won’t TalkEssay by John Steinbeck
The Death of the Ball Turret GunnerPoem by Randall Jarrell
John Steinbeck created many memorablecharacters, from the downtrodden butdogged Joads in The Grapes of Wrath toGeorge and Lennie in Of Mice and Men.Many of Steinbeck’s characters conveyhis belief that people must fit into theirsurroundings—especially their naturalsurroundings—in order to find peace.
Childhood on the Land John Steinbeckgrew up in the agricultural community ofSalinas, California. The land profoundlyinfluenced Steinbeck, who set many of hisbest works in these childhood scenes. Hebegan to write early, encouraged by a highschool teacher’s praise.
Blending Life and Art While studying atStanford University, Steinbeck worked in
a factory and on road crews. Portrayingpeople who lived by their hands becameanother key focus of Steinbeck’s life andwork. The Grapes of Wrath (1939) receiveda Pulitzer Prize for portraying down-and-out Oklahoma farmers during the GreatDepression. Exhausted from writing thenovel, Steinbeck moved in new directions.In 1943 he spent six months as a WorldWar II correspondent, producing suchwritings as the following essay about theresponse of soldiers to combat. In 1962,he received the Nobel Prize in Literature“for his realistic as well as his imaginativewritings.”
Respected as a literary critic, Randall Jarrellis nonetheless best known for his searingpoetry about World War II, notably a“stark five-line lyric . . . the ultimate poemof war.” That poem is “The Death of theBall Turret Gunner.”
On the Road Again Born in Nashville,Tennessee, Jarrell moved often duringhis childhood. One important movetook the family to a ranch in California.Later, Jarrell returned to California to livewith his grandparents during his parents’divorce. Memories of this time filteredinto one of Jarrell’s best poems, “TheLost World,” and childhood is a frequent,haunting topic throughout his work.
Making a Name With the help of awealthy uncle, Jarrell went to college andbegan a lifelong career teaching literaturein universities. At the same time, heworked at his own poetry. In 1942, heenlisted in the service, where he trainedpilots and wrote poems capturing thehorror and dreariness of military life.
John Steinbeck1902–1968
notable quote“[The writer] is chargedwith exposing our manygrievous faults and failures,with dredging up to the lightour dark and dangerousdreams for the purpose ofimprovement.”
Randall Jarrell1914–1965
notable quote“If we were in the habit ofreading poets, their obscuritywould not matter; and, oncewe are out of the habit, theirclarity does not help.”
For more on John Steinbeck and Randall Jarrell, visit the Literature Center at ClassZone.com.
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LA.1112.1.7.3, LA.1112.2.1.7
FL_L11PE-u06s21-brSoldiers.indd 1114 1/18/08 11:33:13 AM
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literary analysis: tone and imageryA writer sometimes conveys tone, his or her attitude toward a subject, through imagery. Imagery consists of the descriptive words and phrases used to re-create sensory experiences. One of the interesting aspects of Steinbeck’s essay is the contrast between his clinical, detached, almost scientific tone and his use of sensory-rich imagery. Jarrell’s poem also uses vivid imagery to convey an attitude about its subject. As you read each selection, think about the relationship between tone and imagery. Decide what each of these elements adds to the experience of reading.
reading strategy: adjust reading strategiesWhen you read literary works from different genres, you need to make adjustments in your reading strategies. For example, when you read an essay, follow these strategies:
• Identify the essay’s main ideas.• Look for facts and possibly imagery that support or reinforce
the main ideas.• Determine your own position on the ideas conveyed.
When reading a poem, try these strategies:
• Read the poem two or three times.• Gather as much information as you can about the speaker.• Try to picture the poem’s images and think about what
they convey.
As you read the two selections, make use of these strategies and any others that work for you. Take notes about the essay’s main ideas and the poem’s imagery and meaning.
Explore theKey Idea
When is silencelouder than words?KEY IDEA People who have suffered
greatly—fighting in a war, losing a loved one, witnessing tragedy—sometimes find it hard to communicate with others. Perhaps they cannot put their experiences and emotions into words. Perhaps they believe no one will understand. Others find silence and watchfulness more comfortable than talk and social engagement. Consider what silence can signify in a person’s behavior, especially a soldier’s in wartime.
QUICKWRITE Think of friends, family, peers, or even a character in a film or book. Identify someone you think of as more silent than talkative. Write a brief character description of this person. Read your description aloud, then share your ideas about why your subject is silent.
FL_L11PE-u06s21-brSoldiers.indd 1115 1/18/08 11:33:27 AM
Focus and Motivate
Selection Resources
* Resources for Differentiation † Also in Spanish ‡ In Haitian Creole and Vietnamese
TechnologyLiterature Center at ClassZone.comWriteSmart CD Audio Anthology CD*
RESOURCE MANAGER UNIT 6Plan and Teach pp. 17–24Literary AnalysisSummary pp. 25†*, 26‡*Tone and Imagery pp. 27, 28†*Question Support p. 32*ReadingAdjust Reading Strategies
pp. 29, 30†*Reading Check p. 31
Grammar and WritingEstablish Voice p. 33AssessmentSelection Tests A, B/C pp. 35*, 37*
Test Generator CD
BEST PRACTICES TOOLKITDifferentiated Instruction
pp. 31–38* Scaffolding Instruction
pp. 43–46* Graphic Organizers/StrategiesDefinition Mapping • Sensory Notes • Cluster Diagram • Outline
objectivesLiterary Analysis• explore the key idea of silence• analyze tone and imagery• read an essay• read a poemReading• adjust and evaluate reading strategies Grammar and Writing• use word choice, sentence structure, and
tone to establish voice• write a persuasive essay
SUNSHINE STATE STANDARDSLA.1112.1.7.3, LA.1112.2.1.7, LA.1112.3.3.1
about the authorsJohn Steinbeck After students read about Steinbeck, ask whether they find it surpris-ing that an author acclaimed for his works of fiction also could be praised for his realistic writings. Why or why not?Randall Jarrell Call students’ attention to Jarrell’s experience in the military. Discuss how this experience might affect a young poet.
using the notable uotesAsk students how each quotation expresses the author’s views on his craft. Possible an-swers: Steinbeck points out that it is a writer’s responsibility to help improve human nature. Jarrell focuses on the difficulty that poets have in finding readers.
Responses to War
1114
Why Soldiers Won’t TalkEssay by John Steinbeck
The Death of the Ball Turret GunnerPoem by Randall Jarrell
John Steinbeck created many memorablecharacters, from the downtrodden butdogged Joads in The Grapes of Wrath toGeorge and Lennie in Of Mice and Men.Many of Steinbeck’s characters conveyhis belief that people must fit into theirsurroundings—especially their naturalsurroundings—in order to find peace.
Childhood on the Land John Steinbeckgrew up in the agricultural community ofSalinas, California. The land profoundlyinfluenced Steinbeck, who set many of hisbest works in these childhood scenes. Hebegan to write early, encouraged by a highschool teacher’s praise.
Blending Life and Art While studying atStanford University, Steinbeck worked in
a factory and on road crews. Portrayingpeople who lived by their hands becameanother key focus of Steinbeck’s life andwork. The Grapes of Wrath (1939) receiveda Pulitzer Prize for portraying down-and-out Oklahoma farmers during the GreatDepression. Exhausted from writing thenovel, Steinbeck moved in new directions.In 1943 he spent six months as a WorldWar II correspondent, producing suchwritings as the following essay about theresponse of soldiers to combat. In 1962,he received the Nobel Prize in Literature“for his realistic as well as his imaginativewritings.”
Respected as a literary critic, Randall Jarrellis nonetheless best known for his searingpoetry about World War II, notably a“stark five-line lyric . . . the ultimate poemof war.” That poem is “The Death of theBall Turret Gunner.”
On the Road Again Born in Nashville,Tennessee, Jarrell moved often duringhis childhood. One important movetook the family to a ranch in California.Later, Jarrell returned to California to livewith his grandparents during his parents’divorce. Memories of this time filteredinto one of Jarrell’s best poems, “TheLost World,” and childhood is a frequent,haunting topic throughout his work.
Making a Name With the help of awealthy uncle, Jarrell went to college andbegan a lifelong career teaching literaturein universities. At the same time, heworked at his own poetry. In 1942, heenlisted in the service, where he trainedpilots and wrote poems capturing thehorror and dreariness of military life.
John Steinbeck1902–1968
notable quote“[The writer] is chargedwith exposing our manygrievous faults and failures,with dredging up to the lightour dark and dangerousdreams for the purpose ofimprovement.”
Randall Jarrell1914–1965
notable quote“If we were in the habit ofreading poets, their obscuritywould not matter; and, oncewe are out of the habit, theirclarity does not help.”
For more on John Steinbeck and Randall Jarrell, visit the Literature Center at ClassZone.com.
1114
LA.1112.1.7.3, LA.1112.2.1.7
FL_L11PE-u06s21-brSoldiers.indd 1114 1/18/08 11:33:13 AM
1115
literary analysis: tone and imageryA writer sometimes conveys tone, his or her attitude toward a subject, through imagery. Imagery consists of the descriptive words and phrases used to re-create sensory experiences. One of the interesting aspects of Steinbeck’s essay is the contrast between his clinical, detached, almost scientific tone and his use of sensory-rich imagery. Jarrell’s poem also uses vivid imagery to convey an attitude about its subject. As you read each selection, think about the relationship between tone and imagery. Decide what each of these elements adds to the experience of reading.
reading strategy: adjust reading strategiesWhen you read literary works from different genres, you need to make adjustments in your reading strategies. For example, when you read an essay, follow these strategies:
• Identify the essay’s main ideas.• Look for facts and possibly imagery that support or reinforce
the main ideas.• Determine your own position on the ideas conveyed.
When reading a poem, try these strategies:
• Read the poem two or three times.• Gather as much information as you can about the speaker.• Try to picture the poem’s images and think about what
they convey.
As you read the two selections, make use of these strategies and any others that work for you. Take notes about the essay’s main ideas and the poem’s imagery and meaning.
Explore theKey Idea
When is silencelouder than words?KEY IDEA People who have suffered
greatly—fighting in a war, losing a loved one, witnessing tragedy—sometimes find it hard to communicate with others. Perhaps they cannot put their experiences and emotions into words. Perhaps they believe no one will understand. Others find silence and watchfulness more comfortable than talk and social engagement. Consider what silence can signify in a person’s behavior, especially a soldier’s in wartime.
QUICKWRITE Think of friends, family, peers, or even a character in a film or book. Identify someone you think of as more silent than talkative. Write a brief character description of this person. Read your description aloud, then share your ideas about why your subject is silent.
FL_L11PE-u06s21-brSoldiers.indd 1115 1/18/08 11:33:27 AM
differentiated instruction
Teach
adjust reading strategies
Have students reread the passage on the board. Ask them to identify the main ideas, both stated and implied. Possible answer: The stated main idea is that a group of exhausted soldiers is struggling against great obstacles to get somewhere, despite intense heat. The implied main ideas are that the soldiers are courageous and that they will probably not survive their journey.
RESOURCE MANAGER—Copy Master Adjust Reading Strategies p. 29
(for student use while reading the selections)
R E A D I N G S T R A T E G Y
When is SILENCE louder than words?Introduce the question, and ask students to read the KEY IDEA paragraph. Have students reflect on the various reasons why a person might retreat into silence. Then have them complete the QUICKWRITE. Poll students for common reasons people are silent.
tone and imageryWrite this passage on the board:
The sun cut through the wispy clouds like a laser, searing the ground. The exhausted soldiers dragged themselves on, muscles aching, throats parched, every man knowing that two days of torturous travel remained, but only one day of water.
Ask students in what way the imagery of this passage helps to convey the writer’s tone. Possible answer: The imagery conveys the sense of bone-weary men “dragging” themselves on, despite overwhelming ob-stacles. The writer’s tone suggests admira-tion for the men’s courage.CHECK UNDERSTANDING Elicit other examples of imagery that convey a writer’s tone.
L I T E R A R Y A N A L Y S I S
for less–proficient readersVocabulary Support • sensory, “relating to the senses of sight,
hearing, smell, taste, and touch”• genre, “a particular category or kind of
literary or artistic work”• main idea, “the most important idea about
a topic that a particular text conveys”• speaker, “the voice that a poet creates to
speak in a poem; not the poet”• image, “a mental picture or visual idea”
Concept Support: Adjust Reading Strategies Remind students that they are not limited to the strategies listed here. They should always choose the particular strategies that will be most helpful for the text they are read-ing. For example, when reading a nonfiction article, they might begin by skimming and scanning the text. When reading poetry, they might find their visualizing skills more helpful in creating a mental picture from text details.
standards focus
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