Mudbound by Hilary Jordan
AGENDA:
Morning Reflection:
http://www.ted.com/talks/jamila_lyiscott_3_ways_to_speak_english?language=en
Sign up for Morning Reflections
Go to website:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=88195380
Listen to interview on NPR
Read excerpt
Interview with Hilary Jordan:
http://www.bookbrowse.com/author_interviews/full/index.cfm/author_number/1538/Hillary-Jordan
More about Mudbound:
http://www.hillaryjordan.com/books-mudbound.php
About this book
In Jordan's prize-winning debut, prejudice takes many forms, both subtle and brutal. It is 1946, and city-bred Laura McAllan is trying to raise her children on her husband's Mississippi Delta farm --- a place she finds foreign and frightening. In the midst of the family's struggles, two young men return from the war to work the land. Jamie McAllan, Laura's brother-in-law, is everything her husband is not --- charming, handsome, and haunted by his memories of combat. Ronsel Jackson, eldest son of the black sharecroppers who live on the McAllan farm, has come home with the shine of a war hero. But no matter his bravery in defense of his country, he is still considered less than a man in the Jim Crow South. It is the unlikely friendship of these brothers-in-arms that drives this powerful novel to its inexorable conclusion.The men and women of each family relate their versions of events and we are drawn into their lives as they become players in a tragedy on the grandest scale. As Barbara Kingsolver says of Hillary Jordan, "Her characters walked straight out of 1940s Mississippi and into the part of my brain where sympathy and anger and love reside, leaving my heart racing. They are with me still."
Discussion Questions
1. The setting of the Mississippi Delta is intrinsic to Mudbound. Discuss the ways in which the land functions as a character in the novel and how each of the other characters relates to it.
2. Mudbound is a chorus, told in six different voices. How do the changes in perspective affect your understanding of the story? Are all six voices equally sympathetic? Reliable? Pappy is the only main character who has no narrative voice. Why do you think the author chose not to let him speak?
"A supremely readable debut novel... Fluidly narrated by engaging characters . . . Mudbound is packed with drama. Pick it up, then pass it on."
— People, Critic’s Choice, 4-star review
"A compelling family tragedy, a confluence of romantic attraction and racial hatred that eventually falls like an avalanche... The last third of the book is downright breathless... An engaging story."
— Washington Post Book World
"In Hillary Jordan's first novel, Mudbound, the forces of change and resistance collide with terrible consequences."
— The New York Times
"Stunning... You are truly taken there by Jordan's powerful, evocative writing and complex characters."
— Boston Globe
Hillary Jordan reading an early chapter of Mudbound
Follow along
Multiple Perspectives:
http://www.the-writers-craft.com/point-of-view-in-literature-perspectives.htmlObjective: Part 1 The author of this book wrote in a first person narrative. These first chapters introduce us to all the different the narrators, and we learn that this book will be told through their perspectives.
1) 1) Genre Introduction: Give a short introduction about first person narrative and other POVs. Explain what it is, how it is used, and why an author might choose this form of narrative for a story like this one.
2) Personal Reaction to Text: Read the introduction with the class. How does this kind of narration make you feel? Do you like it? Do you think it will enhance the plot? Why or why not? What do all the different viewpoints do to the narrative? Why is this not through the eyes of one main character?
3) Small Group Activity: Split the class into groups and assign each group a different form of narrative -- i.e.: third person, second person, omniscient, etc. Have each group re-write this short chapter using their assigned form of narrative. Have each group present their work. Discuss which one was the most effective. Do you think the author made the right choice? Why or why not?
Historical fiction
Objective: Part 1 "Mudbound" fits into a unique genre of literature called Historical Fiction.
1) Introduction of Genre: Introduce to the class the concept of the historical fiction style of writing. Present the pros and cons of this style of narrative and list some of the reasons why an author would choose this style to write in. Present some examples of this style from books that they have read, or will read later with the class.
2) Group Activity: Split the class into groups and assign each group a different part of these chapters. Have each group study their portion and work together to write a short response to the historical fiction style of that portion. Allow each group some time to present their prepared information.
3) Class Discussion: Read aloud with the class the part where the narrator, presents the different facts about the climate in the south at this time -- i.e.: the politics, the war, the different occupations, the crops, the weather, the relations with the north, etc. Discuss this with the class. How does this language enhance the historical fiction style of the book? How does this make this information a little more believable? Why do you think keeping this informational tone was so important to the author? What did you learn through this dialogue that helped you understand this book and setting better?
WRITING:
Print out "Why I Write" and place in envelope
HOMEWORK: For Wednesday: Read to pg. 48 in Mudbound
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ReplyDeleteSuli Breaks made key points within his TED talk about what the meaning of leadership was and how it pertained to everyone and their childhoods. I agreed with his ideas of going back into history and finding ways that leadership did not matter in life, that the ideas they made were the things that actually made a difference within today’s society. His TED talk was one that reflected on ideas that not a lot of people think about on a daily basis, but thoughts that are forced to actually take time to think about. He proved his point dramatically with his Red Ranger reference and that it is okay to not be a leader, but to force ideas upon the mind.
ReplyDeleteFollow the leader was a powerful speech on how in this century the youth is taught to follow everything but there true intentions, going through life being taught to follow rules and follow in the footsteps in great leaders and or follow the system, thus limiting our imagination and toppling future success in our own passion. moral of the story is to be your own leader and continue on a path brings you happiness and wealth. Find a way to fit yourself into the system just don't fit in the system, strive to make the system switch for you. bring new ideas into a dull and repetitive age.
ReplyDeleteWar, Greed, and Poverty was a video that many people might shy away from simply because it deals with serious issues, but in reality that is all the more reason to view it. We have almost no idea what other children around the world go through daily because we are so caught up in our own bubble. If we begin to learn more about global issues and the influence that it has an normal people's lives, it will help lead us to change and create a safer world to live in.
ReplyDelete"War, Greed, & Poverty" showed the hypocrisy of America in that we're slowly turning into a nation only favoring the rich and ignoring the poor. Not only in our own country, but in other nations too; children die every day as adults and elderly do, but there is something more heart breaking in their deaths then anyone.
ReplyDeleteThey could've lived a life as you or I have, they couldn't learned, worked, and loved as we will. However, they never got the chance. Whether it be from natural causes or because of the faults in our world system, they would never see the sun of tomorrow because their nation and cause lacks funding to help them succeed.
The allusion to "The Great Dictator" also develops this idea that humanity itself needs to turn away from the flashing lights and glamour of self success and realize of other problems that may not involve ourselves and to be compassionate to other people's plights, for that is our right to act as a human being.
In this age, in this area, there shouldn't be people starving. Time and time again, there are children going to sleep who haven't eaten in weeks. The rich get richer despite the fact that one billion are stricken with poverty and do not have resources to eat or drink. We unfortunately live in a world in disdain for the less fortunate, and the video watched in class identified with precision.
ReplyDeleteThe video that was showed was in my eyes a terrible start to my great morning. "War,Greed, and Poverty" was about some of the things that plague our world today. It showed how hundreds of people have billions of dollars yet there are millions of people dying of starvation. It makes you realize how terrible and greedy today's people have come.
ReplyDeleteWar, Greed, and Poverty was is effective because it shows normal, everyday people that even they are greedy, living in extravagant homes and always giving and receiving presents for Christmas. Its use of sad music directly affects the audience because it projects a sadness on to them. The footage of starving children and beaten people forces the audience to realize the harsh realities of the world and inspires them to do something about it, or at least recognize it as a very real issue.
ReplyDelete"War, Greed and Poverty" was a hard hitting and inspirational video about the poverty ridden countries suffering while other countries waste money on useless things no one needs. Other countries are suffering while we sit aside and don't help as much as we could.
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame how people live in poverty when there are billions of dollars spent on stupid things while people are fighting for their lives because they haven't ate in who knows how long we should send food to the people that cant get food at all at Wegmans they have a fill a bus campaign for families that don't have allot but they need to send something like that to people who haven't ate for weeks struggle to survive
ReplyDeleteThe inspirational video "War, Greed & Poverty" focused on the hypocrisy of our society in terms of those three. We preach peace and yet we are constantly at war; we see, exploit and even cry over images of struggling children and families yet we do nothing to help; those with larger amounts of money have 10 bedroom homes for one person when the person they passed on the street could barely afford the one room they live in. As a society we often like to see and discuss but do nothing to liberate or show compassion because we are too caught in talking about the problems rather than solving.
ReplyDeleteThe video made points about greed and poverty. How there are small families of 3 or 4 with huge houses only occupying a quarter of the house and huge families with no house at all. It made points about how just because you have millions of dollars doesn’t mean you have to use it on stuff that you will only use a few times and that instead you could use it to help people who actually need it. People are greedy, buying things just to say they have them or show them off, while others are starving because they don’t even have the basic necessities they need to live.
ReplyDeleteWar, Greed, and Poverty was very powerful and it resonated something deep within inside of me. Everything the narrator was saying according to how someone has billions of houses five cars and two houses when some people don't even have an apartment much less a car. It also is true how we lost the meaning behind Christmas, which is to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ the savior, but instead worry about how many presents are underneath the tree and how big and bold the tree is. Then how we are supposed to love each other not war with each other. This world became corrupt when money became the main focus not humility and empathy and sympathy. This world is corrupt and we as the next generation, we can change the world.
ReplyDelete"War, Greed, and Poverty" highlights the misuse of American privileged when people in other countries are faced with starvation and constant violence in the homeland. This video calls out the lucky few who have the ability to buy luxuries houses and live lavish lives while those who they can very well help struggle everyday to find food or escape a bombing. "War, Greed, and Poverty" is one example of those who are trying to educate the younger generations so they can do something to help if and when they are able to.
ReplyDeleteWar, Greed, and Poverty was a video that tapped into the 1%:99% ratio of wealth in the world. Something that proves the "trickle down affect" isn't real through a first hand account of the starving, homeless, and the poor. The world becomes so reliant on material objects that are not essential to life, that we forget that there are people who are dying for food, water, clean air, and a place to lay their heads.
ReplyDeleteThis video was thought provoking because it had such profound words behind sad images, and video. This was effective because it had so many images that were hard to look at, and famous speeches that people like to forget exist because they are speaking the ugly truth, and that’s what this video did. The music created a sad tone, and even if you aren’t greedy or didn’t start the war you feel guilty because you aren’t aware of what these people are going through.
ReplyDelete"War, Greed, and Poverty" shows the large gap between the very rich of the world, the billionaires who have large mansions and multiple cars, and the very poor, who might not even have an apartment, much less a car. We take these privileges for granted, when we should actually realize that these luxuries are not available to much of the world.
ReplyDeleteWhile watching this video It gave a sense of empathy and anger, knowing how much money is spent on nonsensical things when in all reality there just taking away from another person when that individual already has little. It mad it clear why we stand up and advocate to be treated as equals not only to the public but to the government as well. As delusional as billions of dollars being spent of 30 rooms when only two people live in a household. Rather then showing emotion and care to those who are less fortunate.
ReplyDeleteI thought the video "War, Greed & Poverty" was very inspirational because it talks about how while there are people that have things like multiple cars, multiple bedrooms in their house even though only one person lives there or money to buy gifts for other people. Meanwhile there are people that don't have a house or struggle for food or even clothes and we seem to not be trying hard enough to do anything about it.
ReplyDeleteThe video made points about greed and poverty. How there are small families of 3 or 4 with huge houses only occupying a quarter of the house and huge families with no house at all. It made points about how just because you have millions of dollars doesn’t mean you have to use it on stuff that you will only use a few times and that instead you could use it to help people who actually need it. People are greedy, buying things just to say they have them or show them off, while others are starving because they don’t even have the basic necessities they need to live.
ReplyDeleteLiana Caez
ReplyDeleteWar, Greed, and Poverty was a powerful video showing the perspectives of different countries and how they deal with starvation and poverty compared to the way rich people do. The comments from historical leaders and speeches from different people give a dark tone to the video, but it was all for the message of disintegrating societies in other countries. It shows America’s privileges compared to the privileges elsewhere, and the meaning behind the video is a great deal. With the starving children, and everyday references such as the Christmas trees, and how many rooms a house has, it shows how that has consumed what we truly know as a country, and it shows the lack of knowledge we really have.