MOTIFS IN THE HOURS

AGENDA: EQ: What is a motif? How do artists use motifs in literature and film to underscore themes?   Why do artists use motifs?  PERIOD ONE (4 minutes): -Welcome, show SOTA STREAM and go over agenda (Rm. A239).  Students should have MOTIF HANDOUT and T CHART to take notes on film and text. .

Introduce MOTIF HANDOUT and KEY POINTS (5 minutes).  Let students know that their work today will be helpful in creating their final HOURS PROJECT which is worth 70 points on the Marking Period 4 Independent Project:  What is a motif? Here’s a quick and simple definition: A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature. Motifs, which are often collections of related symbols, help develop the central themes of a book or play. For example, one of the central themes in Romeo and Juliet is that love is a paradox containing many contradictions. As part of developing this theme, Shakespeare describes the experience of love by pairing contradictory, opposite symbols next to each other throughout the play, such as night and day, moon and sun, crows and swans. All of these paired symbols fall into a broader pattern of "dark vs. light," and that broader pattern is called a motif. The motif (in this case "darkness and light") reinforces the theme: that love is paradox. Some additional key details about motifs: · Because motifs are so effective in communicating and emphasizing the main themes of a work, they're common in political speeches as well as in literature. · There are actually two working definitions of motif: one that defines motif as a special kind of symbol, and one that draws a greater distinction between the two terms. We'll explore both definitions below. · You may have heard the word "motif" used to describe repeating patterns outside the realm of literature. In music, for example, a motif is a short series of notes that repeats throughout a song or track. In art, a motif is a design or pattern that repeats in different parts of an artwork, or in different works by the same artist. While these additional meanings of motif are useful to know, motifs in literature function differently and have a slightly more specific meaning. The Hours Writing Assignment-Themes, Motifs, Symbols It's time to finish reading The Hours and begin a new writing assignment for this marking period. Assignment: Your choice of genre (fiction, poetry, play) of appropriate length Use some of the themes, motifs or symbols of The Hours in your writing assignment. Be sure to use at least 2 time periods that intertwine and connect the characters and themes. Show students VIDEO of The Hours and have them individually take notes about motifs in the film on T chart (10 minutes) In small groups or with partners examine the text (to pg. 68) for motifs. Record motifs and page numbers for future reference. (15 minutes) Share out findings from groups as a whole class.(10 minutes) PERIOD TWO (Rm. 239): Continue discussion as necessary.   Finish work for the marking period---Creative nonfiction essays! Collect T-charts from students for classwork grade  Assign HMWK: Read to page 99 for Thursday Collect any new creative nonfiction essays for this marking period