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Objectives
To enrich understanding of a literary work through careful
reading and analysis of
selected key scenes
To recognize how art media can be integrated into literature
studies
To acquaint students with masterpieces of world art
To reinforce learning through the use of technology
To create a collage showing the focus and tone of key scenes
Part I: The Great Book
Select what you consider to be the five key scenes in the book;
this should be ascene that is critical to the work as a whole
Analyze each scene by:
o Determining what the major focus of the scene is. For example,
is it plot
development, character, or setting?
o Identify dominant sensory images in the scene. Choose two or
three vivid
adjectives to describe the mood; do not merely saysadbut aim for
moreprecision in word choice, perhaps heart-wrenchingormelancholy
or
bittersweetorwistfulordespairing. Use adjectives that reveal
activity,
sounds, and smells also, not merely emotion. Use a
dictionary.
Select five key words that you feel embody the gist of the
scene
Select three or four colors that you feel reflect the overall
tone and mood of the
scene; the colors need not be mentioned in the scene
Part II: The Great Art
In very general terms, art can be divided into two major types:
representational artor art that attempts to create faithfully the
images found in the world around us and
abstract art that attempts to get to the essence of the world
around us but does not
necessarily attempt to imitate its images. A representational
artist might pain abustling street scene such as George Bellows
Cliff Dwellers (from NMAA). An
abstract artist might, on the other hand, aim for
MondriansBroadway Boogie
Woogie (from MOMA). Both works are very effective in conveying
the same ideas
through different styles.
Examine these two and the following sample works of art,
including a spectrum of
representations and abstract pieces on a variety of themes
o Guernica, Picasso: war
o The Scream, Edvard Munch: fear and isolation
o The Boating Party, Mary Cassatt, family
o The Kang-is Emperors Second Tour of the South, Wang Hui:
landscape
o Emigrants Crossing the Plains, Albert Beirstadt: landscape
o Mona Lisa, Leonardo da Vinvi, portrait
o Paul Revere, John Singleton Copley: portrait
o The Return of Ulysses, Romare Bearden: literary
o The Figure 5 in Gold: Charles Demuth: literary
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Part III: The Collage
Using as your guide the analysis you have done on the critical
scenes from the
novel, find one companion piece of great art to complement each
scene you
selected. Try to include both representational and abstract art
in your collage. Beopen-minded: stretch your imagination, but
remember to be guided by the gist of
each scene.
Websites for art:
o Mark Hardens Artchive: www.artchive.com
o Smithsonian American Art Museum: www.nmaa.si.edu/main.html
o Louvre: www.louvre.org
o The Metropolitan Museum of Art: www.metmuseum.org
o Museum of Modern Art: www.moma.org
Your finished product should be no smaller than one half of a
poster board. Useonly one keyword on your collage for each scene.
You should have a total of 5
works of art, 5 key words to represent each scene, and the title
of the novel on thecollage. Also, included should be a works cited
page, and an explanation of whyyou chose each image. How you
present the information is up to you. Groups will
share finished products.
