AGENDA:
Morning reflection: Intro to Mudbound
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7ToVdAsBv4
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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
Hilary Jordan reading Laura:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU1HrhozQOA
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?
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:
Objective: 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) 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?
ACTIVITY: Finish POV exercise.
HMWK: Read to page 70 for Wednesday. Study vocabulary for quiz on Friday.
ACTIVITY: Finish POV exercise.
HMWK: Read to page 70 for Wednesday. Study vocabulary for quiz on Friday.
The imagery was blood curdling. Racism wasn't okay then and never will be, but to hear and see that at one time it existed and it was okay is sickening. We as a people want change and even to this day there is change but to what extent? Where this time the oppressors keep their mouths closed but still think the sinful thoughts that we have to live with? It was a good video, not because of the content, but because someone was brave enough to address it at such a time.
ReplyDeleteThe video displayed depicted how the human race has barely evolved, and can even be considered to have stepped several steps backwards. Through segregation and prejudice, whites and blacks used to be separated by signs, laws, and practices put in place. It was known and shown that the two did not want to integrate. However, today we are still divided--in a way subliminally segregated, but lies accumulate that cover up the truth that racism is still alive and well via police brutality, prejudice in various public locations, and displays of violent action against blacks. Personally, it makes me sick to my stomach, and lack nationalism and pride for this country which I'd hate to claim as my own. Because why claim a place that does not want me?
ReplyDeleteThe video makes me think about the hatred and suffering that was in that era. There is a lot of conflict with World War II, racism, PTSD, prejudice, and more. This violence in society made everyone more tense and prone to hate one another... which is very saddening to see. It's so disheartening to see a time like that existing, but that is the undeniable history of America.
ReplyDeleteHaving read far in the book a lot of the images used I felt perfectly captured the story, as well as the images that represented the ideas of the book. Such as the images of the young black men that have been subjected to the kind of racism and cruelty displayed in the book.
ReplyDeleteThe part of the video that stood out most to me was the image of a man holding a sign that reads: "Go Back to Africa Negroes". The stupidity of this sign is clear. In fact, even as recent as 2016 racist white people have said for African-Americans to go back to Africa when their ancestors were the ones to bring us here. We didn't ask to exist in a country we don't want to live in.
ReplyDeletego awf turon
DeleteIn addition, not many of the images affected me. The pictures that show the setting of "Mudbound" allowed for a clearer image of the book.
DeleteThe video we watched about Mudbound was very insightful and gave more background information on our reading of the book. The video talked about the basis of the book and established its setting and time period to give context. With the civil rights movement and the aftermath of WWII fresh in our minds, we can go into our reading with a deeper understanding of how the characters feel and how things will play out.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading only the first chapter of Mudbound I have realized that even though this book had taken place after WWII, the characters are actually so relatable. To live with a racist parent or an intolerable parent is way too common in this day and age is something not too many people are proud of. In my opinion, this video has reminded of people who are blinded by hatred and disgust over the things they have done. And in the clip where the man was holding the sign, "Go back to Africa Negroes." I have a remark for that. At least I can go home and be welcomed by my people.
ReplyDeleteIt was difficult to see all of the faces of those who faced police brutally, but sadly the narrator is correct. Now, people enjoy brushing race under the rug because they don't want to deal with the fact that it's interwoven in America. The sign that states, "Go back to Africa" was interesting because their people were the ones who wanted the African Americans here in the first place. Now that they can't own them, and see that more freedom is coming about for them, the whites wanted nothing to do with the blacks. Some people were and still are pathetic.
ReplyDeletethis is kyla
Deletethis video made me think of how hard it must have been for black people back then. blacks and whites even had different water fountains in which the black water fountain was never very clean. It makes me angry to think that people hate others just because their skin tone is darker than others.
ReplyDeleteAs the racism and social conditions towards black people have reflected the times before us, when they were looked at as slaves and less than, which they still are looked at as, just not legally, we are forced to look back at our nasty history of racism, which is still going on today. I find it funny how the USA claims to be the land of the free, but enslaved, beat, and treated people as property instead of humans. It's funny how people could say "go back to Africa negroes,' when they are the ones who brought us to this retched place and now because we know our worth and know that it is not subservient to you, it's a problem, but before when you brought us here it was? There was separation between blacks and whites as if they are different, as if there are any differences besides color and culture, just because you don't understand someone doesn't mean you get to belittle them because of your lack of understand, it's selfish and ignorant honestly, but the blacks were the ones who were supposed to be ignorant, right? I CALL BS! Ugh anything with racism makes my blood boil because there is no legitimate reason to what was done, all it did was cause an eternity of tension between races all because of ones misunderstanding and selfishness. Mudbound is basically a reflection of the racism and social conditions after WWII, as two soldiers white and black find common ground in their struggle at war causes outrage instead of influence, along with the racism that comes from within the home of Henry and Laura from their father (he died though).
ReplyDeletewretched*
Deletethe video shows how not only us blacks see the racism in the US but some whites do to. she starts to show pictures of black and white split up because of race. people protesting and angry white men holding up signs. my thoughts of this will always be the same. we cannot change the past and we cannot get angry at our community of white men for having ancestors who enslaved our own. it only gets me heated when people of the world don't acknowledge the fact were still going through racism now in 2018. after all the deaths and all the videos of cops brutally beating or killing us. We still cant get justice. we protest and then they make a protest for our protest. the world was trained to be ignorant and to have a thought that the whites our superior. they'll never understand what were going through until we put them through what happens to us. but then well be the bad guys and get called the N word.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing that really stood out was the go back to Africa sign. I just feel like that was a ignorant comment.
ReplyDeleteI think that the video demonstrates how pertinent Mudbound is to our current society. I was personally struck by how different things seem than a hundred years ago and how it would be ignorant to think all of that hate and racism merely disappeared with new policies.
ReplyDelete