Skip to Main Content

Lesson 2

We will review the reading from the previous lesson. As a class, we will do a close read of the ice-skating scene, focusing on symbolism and how Morrison’s language choices establish atmosphere, mood, and meaning. We will then break up into smaller groups to do a close read of key scenes using a set of guiding questions to analyze the scene, events, character relationships, narrative point of view, use of literary devices, and potential meanings that are presented.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I use text evidence and original commentary to support an analytic response about pages 199–236 in Beloved?

  • Can I evaluate how different literary elements such as symbolism shape Morrison’s portrayal of the plot?

  • Can I evaluate how Morrison’s diction and syntax contribute to the mood and tone of the beginning of Part 2 in the novel?

  • Can I evaluate the use of literary devices such as symbolism to achieve specific purposes?

Texts

Core

  • Tradebook
    • Beloved, Toni Morrison, Vintage Books, 2004

Materials

Tools

Reference Guides

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Discuss

We will review our homework reading.

In pairs or trios, discuss the reading homework and the notes you took in response to the following question:

  1. What new or more nuanced understanding do you have about Sethe? Provide at least three examples.

Activity 2: Read – Discuss

We will do a close read and analysis of the ice-skating scene, focusing on symbolism and how Morrison’s diction and use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor establish atmosphere, mood, and meaning.

Step 1

Listen as your teacher or one of your peers rereads pages 204-208, beginning with "She had been on her knees" (p. 204) and ending with "winter stars seemed permanent" (p. 208). As you listen, take notes and respond to the following questions.

  1. Which words and phrases stand out as powerful or important? Why?

  2. How do Morrison’s word choices develop atmosphere, mood, or meaning?

  3. What is the importance of the phrase "Nobody saw them falling" and why is it repeated?

  4. How is this scene symbolic?

  5. How does this scene propel and affirm Sethe’s belief that Beloved is her daughter?

Step 2

As a class, discuss responses to the guiding questions.

Activity 3: Read – Discuss – Write – Present

We will break up into groups to closely read and analyze key scenes from the homework reading, using a set of guiding questions to analyze the scene, events, character relationships, narrative point of view, use of literary devices, and potential meanings that are presented. We will share our findings with the class.

Step 1

Throughout Beloved, Morrison uses various writing techniques:

  • narrative shifts

  • voice

  • diction

  • imagery

These techniques help to develop the psychological elements in the novel. In groups of five, you will be assigned a scene from the homework reading to analyze. As you read and respond to the Scene Analysis section of the question set, take notes on which of the techniques above seem most present in your assigned section.

Refer to the Writing TechniquesHandout for scene assignments and guiding questions.

You might want to reread some text before you analyze your assigned scene to refresh your memory with that scene’s specific context within the novel.

Step 2

Choose one of the techniques—narrative shifts, voice (focusing specifically on dialogue), diction, or imagery—that is most present in your group’s assigned scene. Use the Forming Evidence-Based Claims Tool to respond to the following question:

  1. How does the technique allow Morrison to showcase the power of a person’s past over their present? Use evidence from your scene to support your response.

Step 3

Each group will present their findings to the class. When it is your turn, be sure to draw attention to key details that helped you support your claim.

Activity 4: Read

For homework, we will read and annotate pages 236–256.

For homework, read and annotate pages 236-256 using the following questions to guide your reading. Use evidence from the text to support your responses. Record your responses in your Character Note-Taking Tool:

  1. Who is speaking in each chapter? How do you know?

  2. What are some of the thoughts, feelings, or experiences revealed in each chapter? Remember to specify who the voice is behind these thoughts, feelings, or experiences. Try to come up with at least two examples for each chapter.

Be sure to add new or interesting words to your Vocabulary Journal. Add at least one sentence that stands out to you as interesting or that represents a strong example of a particular concept you have learned in your Mentor Sentence Journal.