Discussion on "Blood-Burning Moon" and the Gothic Tradition

Do Now

1. Take out your homework and “Blood-Burning Moon”

2. Share your response and thoughts on the story with a partner

3. Read over the prompts and questions below in preparation for discussion. Are there any questions or ideas you would like to add? Jot them down in your notebook.

Discussion: Prompts for Socratic Seminar on “Blood-Burning Moon” by Jean Toomer

*The words “omen” and “spell” are repeated in this story. What role does the supernatural play in this story? How does this aspect of the Gothic tradition relate to the story’s subject matter?

*In a Gothic work, there is usually confusion about good and evil. What does “good” actually mean in this story? What about ‘evil’? How can we tell the difference? How can the characters in the story tell the difference between good and evil?

*What are some of the stereotypes presented in this story? How does Jean Toomer challenge and/or perpetuate stereotypes?Is there any value in reading stories that perpetuate negative stereotypes?

*In the lecture on Monday, I explained that the Gothic was associated with the Middle Ages which were thought to be chaotic, unenlightened, and superstitious. How does Jean Toomer infuse the stories with these qualities? How do these characteristics influence the theme of the work?

*What techniques have the strongest effect in the story?

Exit Ticket: 10 minutes

1. What is valuable about this story?

OR

2. Which ideas did you find most compelling in today’s discussion? Who shared it and what evidence did he/she use?

3. What grade do you think you deserve for today’s discussion? Why?
E -Excellent
S-Satisfactory
N-Needs Improvement
U-Unsatisfactory

Homework: Decide which story you would like to write a short paper on tomorrow in class and reread that text for homework tonight. Choices: “Bloodchild,” “Blood-Burning Moon,” Script from American Horror Story Pilot