The God of Small Things Text Focus Socratic Seminar

The God of Small Things Text Focus Socratic Seminar

Song of Solomon

Socratic Seminar

February 27th/28th

The goal of this Socratic Seminar is to create an opportunity for deep exploration of the novel. We will have two circles, and you will be assigned a topic area. You should focus on how certain ideas (themes, motifs, symbols, etc.) appear throughout the novel, and you should identify certain passages that embody these ideas. You should also consider the significance of Morrison’s choices (e.g. why does she employ the hero’s journey, while rejecting other traditional structures? Why does she humanize characters as deplorable as Macon Dead Jr.?What is the effect and purpose of the cultural and historical references within the novel?) These aspects should be used to discuss the meaning (or meanings) of the work as a whole.To prepare for the Socratic on your given topic you should compile the following notes:

  • Familiarize yourself with all of the topics in your group
  • Craft a thesis statement that addresses the significance of one of your topic areas and have specific evidence from the novel to support your assertions
  • Choose 3 or more passages in which Morrison provides a meaningful demonstration of the topic area, annotate those passages and plan to incorporate them into your inner circle discussion. Write a brief commentary over one of the passages (250-300 words).
  • Create at least 4 (level 2 and 3) questions to ask during the Socratic seminar
  • Find at least one critical essay which addresses some element of your topic area, read and briefly annotate the essay, and plan to incorporate details from this criticism into your inner circle discussion. Write a brief summary of the essay and explain the extent to which you agree with the author’s view, citing textual evidence to support your response. (250-300 words).

Your rubric will reflect the following assessment criteria:

  • demonstrate deep understanding of the novel using specific and appropriate references to the text
  • use highly relevant details to contextualize your assertions as regards theme, characterization, plot
  • present a convincing commentary on Song of Solomon by interpreting significant aspects which relate to your topic
  • discuss significant literary technique in thorough detail
  • support all assertions with detailed, specific references from the text
  • demonstrate critical thinking (evaluate, synthesize, analyze)
  • have a focused, purposeful, persuasive, balanced response
  • reference critical perspectives (Literature resource center, Gale Group essays, interviews, etc.)

Group 1 (last name begins with A-K)will cover the hero’s journey and African folklore, point of view, characterization, and setting, along with the following motifs: names, mercy, singing, and allusion (Biblical, mythical, and historical).

Group 2(last name begins with L-Z)will cover the hero’s journey and African folklore, language and style, meta qualities, and the structure of the novel, along with the following motifs: flight, love, community, and allusion (Biblical, mythical, and historical).

You don’t have to address all of the topics assigned to your group, but be prepared to address at least three of them.

This seminar will count as two grades:

  1. Written preparation turned in the night before the Socratic seminar (to turnitin.com), which includes
  2. Your thesis statement
  3. Commentary over a selected passage
  4. Questions
  5. A critical essay from the Literature Resource Center
  6. A summary/reflection of critical essay
  7. Commentary and participation during your Socratic
  8. Observation notes over another participant (counts as a notebook entry)
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