Comparative Analysis Essay for Poe and Laughton

Goal: Getting started on our comparative analysis paper.

Agenda:
Read
Comparative Analysis Assignment
Modeled Writing: Mood Paragraph

Comparative Analysis Assignment:

1. I have sent you a new Google Doc called "Comparative Analysis Essay"
2. Find it in your "Shared with me" section in Google Drive. 
3. Read the prompt carefully to yourself and then we will write one of the paragraphs together. 
4. Mood Paragraph tutorial video. 

Writing Task:Consider the short story “The Cask of Amontillado” by Edgar Allan Poe and the movie The Night of The Hunter (1955) directed by Charles Laughton. What techniques do the author and director use to create the theme and mood?

Write a comparative analysis essay about these two works. Consider how each uses irony, mood, and other literary and cinematic techniques to reveal the theme. 

Collected Evidence: The examples you submitted.

Examples of Theme Mood and Irony in Cask of Amontillado

Examples of Theme Mood and Irony in Night of the Hunter

Click to see this picture larger. 

Collecting Evidence from Night of the Hunter

Goal: Collecting evidence from Night of the Hunter.

Agenda:
Read
Quick write
Collecting Evidence

Quick write:
Summarize Night of the Hunter in exactly four sentences.
Bonus challenge: One of the sentences should have exactly ten words.

Collecting Evidence:
Just as you did for "Cask of Amontillado," today you will work with your partner to describe and explain scenes from Night of the Hunter.

• Use this FORM to submit your responses. 
• Use the notes you took while watching the film. 
• Remember that your answers will be shared with all of my classes to support your work when we begin writing our comparative analysis essays. 
• Use complete sentences, please. 

Movie at Lunch:

Remember if you missed part of Night of the Hunter I am re-showing it at lunch this week. 

Reminders: 

• The first grading period ends next week. Check power school to see if there is anything you can do in your classes to bring up your grades. 
• Talking to your teachers helps too. 
• Next week we will submit book reviews and self-score English Journals. 

Viewing Night of the Hunter, final day

Goal: Finish watching Night of the Hunter and continue watching for irony, mood, and theme.

Agenda: 
Read
Watch the last 33 minutes of the film
Continue notes
Preview next week

Film: 
Today the exciting conclusion of Night of the Hunter. Will Harry Powell get away with his crimes as Montressor did, or will he be caught in time? Continue watching for all kinds of irony, see how the director creates various moods for each scene, and look out for those bits about the theme.

Speaking of theme, remember the quote in the beginning, "Beware of false prophets in sheep's clothing, for really they are ravening wolves." How does that fit with what you know about the film now?

Preview:
Next week we will start by collecting evidence about irony, mood and theme in the film. Think about what you want to use as your examples.
Then we begin working on our comparative analysis of "Cask of Amontillado" and Night of the Hunter. 

Remember: 

I am re-showing Night of the Hunter at lunch today, Monday and Tuesday. If you missed any part of the film or just want to see it again you are welcome to bring your lunch and watch it here. 

Visiting the Counselors

Goal: Visit the counseling office to check on your course requests.

Agenda:
Visit the counselors
Read

Today we will be in the counseling office to review your course selections for next year.
Bring your book so you can read while you wait your turn.

Back in class?
If you are able to come back to class you can work on these things:

• Update your Goodreads status. Make sure the book you are reading is your "currently reading" book. 
• Check your English Journal
• Read, or start your book review. 

Reminders:

Keep reading. We will be doing book reviews on 3/16. 

Remember if you miss a part of Night of the Hunter I am re-screening it at lunch. 

Viewing Night of the Hunter: Day 1

Goal: Watch the first 30 minutes of Night of the Hunter while making notes about items related to the theme, mood and irony in the film.

Agenda: 
Read
Note set up
Things to watch for
Film viewing

Notetaking:
How could you organize your notes to look for theme, mood and irony before we begin watching the film?

1. Open your English journal and set up a note taking system for yourself. 
2. As we watch the film make a note of any irony you see. 
3. Look for settings, or shots the reflect various moods in the film. 
4. See if you can spot a reference to the theme near the very beginning. (It is also a religious reference.)

Cinematic techniques to look for: 

• Examples of irony, especially verbal irony
• Religious symbols or references
• Canted angles and dramatic lighting
• High and low angle shots
• Foreshadowing: clues something is coming

Absent? 

Come at lunch tomorrow. I'll be re-showing the first thirty minutes of the film. 

Homework: 

Review your notes, remind yourself what you saw in the film. 

Read your independent reading book. 

We visit the counselors on Thursday.