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Lesson 3

We will explore one proposed philosophical rationale for why communities are formed and why individuals ultimately choose to participate. We will evaluate the proposed rationale and determine the applicability to our current society and ourselves.

Lesson Goals

  • Can I express an accurate understanding of the central ideas of “The End of Solitude”?

Texts

Core

  • Unit Reader
    • “The End of Solitude,” William Deresiewicz, The Chronicle of Higher Education. Used with permission from the author., 2009

Materials

Tools

Question Sets

Editable Google Docs

Activity 1: Write

We will explore the central word behind the text of this lesson: solitude.

Before reading the essay "The End of Solitude" by William Deresiewicz, examine the title. The title of the essay points to the importance of the term solitude in the text.

Individually, respond to the following questions in your Learning Log:

  1. How would you define solitude?

  2. Does solitude have a positive or negative connotation? Explain.

  3. Where can solitude be found?

  4. Where or what is solitude for you?

Share and discuss your answers with a partner.

Add the word solitude to your Vocabulary Journal.

Activity 2: Read – Discuss – Write

We will begin our reading of “The End Of Solitude” by answering the initial question posed in the text and considering the context in which the essay was written.

Step 1

The opening line of this essay asks: "What does the contemporary self want?" Contemporary means "occurring in the present."

Before reading the text, write down your initial thoughts in response to the following question:

  1. "What does the contemporary self want?"

Step 2

Discuss your responses as a class.

This essay was written in 2009. Given that the introductory question uses the word contemporary, has the meaning of the question changed? Discuss with your classmates.

Step 3

Read the first paragraph of the essay and respond to the following questions in your Learning Log:

  1. How does Deresiewicz respond to the question he posed at the beginning? Cite evidence from the text to support your answer.

  2. How does this answer compare to your own determination?

Add the word contemporary to your Vocabulary Journal.

Activity 3: Read – Write

We will read William Deresiewicz’s essay, “The End Of Solitude,” in order to explore the relationship between community and isolation.

Step 1

Individually, read and annotate “The End of Solitude.”

As you read, consider how community conflicts with solitude.

In your annotations, trace the evolution of community and its role in society, paying attention to what community and solitude meant in the following time periods:

  • Early Enlightenment and Divinity

  • The Reformation

  • Romanticism

  • Modernism

  • Urbanization and Suburbanization

  • 2009, when the essay was written

Step 2

Discuss the following question with a partner:

  1. What do you think the current role of community is?

Activity 4: Read – Write

For homework, we will finish reading and annotating “The End Of Solitude.”

For homework, finish reading and annotating "The End of Solitude." Write new or interesting words you encounter in your Vocabulary Journal.