Embedded Files
"Look at that mountain / Look at those trees / Look at that bum over there, man / He's down on his knees" Randy Newman
Short People - "A Modest Proposal" Group Work: So here is the Group Work version of the Swift, Satire, and "A Modest Proposal" lesson. I usually include Group Works on the same page as the discussion - but in this case, I really believe it deserves a page of its own. For one thing, I certainly used this approach (Group Work) much more than the previous lesson's Discussion technique. Perhaps students changed - perhaps I did - but in any case I believe this is an excellent way to teach Satire, Swift, and "A Modest Proposal". However - you may want to keep in mind that the next lesson, on "Gulliver's Travels" is also a Group Work.
Lesson Overview
Lesson Overview
This group work begins with students taking a look at just "what is Satire" (from the excellent M.H. Abrams). They must then answer the typical Group Work critical thinking questions (and I've gone over the gist of those questions below. Some of the questions introduce a new piece of satire - two songs by Randy Newman - "Short People" and "I Love L.A.". NOTE - you know your students best - but I will say that if I had particularly short students who I felt might be offended by Newman's satirical song - I would talk with them first - before the lesson even began.
Quiz
Quiz
As usual, there is a quiz here. Because it precedes a group work - make sure you remind students that if they did not do the reading - they are not to get into a group. They should do the reading during class and turn in the Group Work tomorrow (done on their own) without penalty (for the Group Work - their quiz grade stands).
What is Satire & Citations?
What is Satire & Citations?
Before the Group Work begins - there is a mall section on what is satire that the groups will go over. The students are required to cite their answers to today's Group Work with proper MLA citations, given that this Unit was done simultaneously with the Research Paper.
The Group Work Questions
The Group Work Questions
Now that the students know what satire is (and it was in their reading) - they begin the group work. Here is the gist of each of those questions - but for a more complete picture, please see the actual group work (found below)
Is "A Modest Proposal" a proper satire? Why?
What makes it ironic?
Who is Swift placing blame for with the "Irish Problem"?
Who are satires, like this one, aimed at?
Now to the songs: who is Randy Newman satirizing in "I Love L.A."
Do Swift and Newman both keep a "straight face" in their respective satires?
Satire and the danger posed to satirists
How does satire done well get readers (viewers, listeners) to examine their own beliefs?
Extra Credit
Extra Credit
For extra credit students can listen to Malcolm Gladwell's "The Satire Paradox" and write a short essay linking what Gladwell talks about to their Group Work Questions.
Handout - Group Work & E.C.
Handout - Group Work & E.C.
See above for a detailed explanation of the Group Work. Students should begin this after they take the quiz.
This is a 2 1/6 page Group Work - the Extra Credit is on the last page and I would use a paper cutter to get 6 copies (of just the Extra Credit) - the Group Work proper would be copied as double-sided.
Two Songs by Randy Newman
Two Songs by Randy Newman
These two songs, "Short People" and "I Love LA" are both satirical. As I talk about in the Group Work, "Short People" kind of blows its satirical cover with lines (the lyrics are included for both songs on the Group Work) about how all people are brothers and short people are "just the same as you or I". I used to show the music video for "I Love L.A" which visually highlighted the inequalities between L.A.'s very rich and that city's very poor.
"In the political turmoil of mid-1990s Britain, a brilliant young comic named Harry Enfield set out to satirize the ideology and politics of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. His parodies became famous. He wrote and performed a vicious sendup of the typical Thatcherite nouveau riche buffoon. People loved it. And what happened? Exactly the opposite of what Enfield hoped would happen. In an age dominated by political comedy, “The Satire Paradox”asks whether laughter and social protest are friends or foes." (taken directly from the WebSite).
Intro to Swift & "A Modest Proposal"
Intro to Swift & "A Modest Proposal"
My reading was from the Holt Rinehart Winston textbook - Elements of Literature (course 6). Any textbook (or other sourced) introduction to the Swift and a copy of "A Modest Proposal" will work - though you will have to modify the questions accordingly - but in this case, most of the questions come from "A Modest Proposal" which can easily be found copyright free, online.
Remote Enhancements
Remote Enhancements
This can all be done remotely of course - I've actually had great success with Group Work remotely - it does take some planning though.
Alexander Pope & "The Rape of the Lock"
Alexander Pope & "The Rape of the Lock"
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
WHAT CAME BEFORE:
Jonathan Swift, Satire, "A Modest Proposal" Discussion & Podcast
Thoughts on the Lesson
Thoughts on the Lesson
Ah yes - you don't want to offend anyone, and at the same time you want the satire to be as powerful as possible. The problem in teaching satire is that students think "A Modest Proposal" is wonderful and great - and yet, bring the satire closer to our own time, our own concerns and things become a lot more problematic.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse