Othello Theme Analysis

Over the next 5 weeks, students in Mrs. Fong's and Mrs. Henry's sophomore English classes will be reading and discussing major theme topics in Shakespeare's Othello. At the same time, the students will be reading one of several contemporary young adult novels that contain themes similar with those in the play.

This blog is being set up as a cross-class discussion board for the next month. If you use the blog effectively, you should be able to get some help with understanding both the play and your novel. This will produce a better essay at the end of the unit.
During the next 5 weeks, you will be expected to make at least 10 posts to the blog:

• Five of the posts will be either questions or comments about how the literary features (diction, symbol, characterization, or imagery) help to reveal the theme topic you are studying in your YA novel. See the blog postings below and post your comments there.
• Five additional posts will be either questions or comments about how the literary features (diction, symbol, characterization, or imagery) help to reveal the same theme topic in the play, Othello. Those posts will be made in the comment section of this post.
• You must post at least once per week. I will not give full credit if all 10 posts are made on the same day, or in the same week. Be sure to blog throughout the unit.
• You may earn bonus points after the required 10 posts if the additional postings demonstrate insightful thinking.
• You may blog about the other YA books being read, if you have read one of them before. This will count in the bonus blog category.

Below you will find indvidual postings for each of the Othello-themed YA novels being read.

Inventing Elliot by Graham Gardner

Interested in hearing the author talk about the book? Check out this video.

Elliot Sutton wears many masks to change his reputation and become one of the popular people instead of the outsider he is. When you live under illusions, how do you know what the reality is anymore? If you need to change yourself, are you allowing yourself to be exploited by others? Or are you exploiting yourself? Can your desire to fit in to the crowd be a tragic flaw? What power does Louise give Elliot in his struggle with illusion versus reality? Start blogging about the Othello themes in this novel.

Shattering Glass by Gail Giles

Within the opening paragraph, the narrator tells us that 'one person had the power to change so many lives'. Is Young Stewart referring to Rob or Simon? Simon Glass is definitely an outsider at the beginning of the book. Is it his choice? Or does Simon allow Rob and the others to exploit him because he wants to change his reputation? How much is Simon in control of the manipulation? How do Young's flaws control his participation in Simon's rebirth? How is Young able to suppress his jealousy and suspicions about Simon and Young's girlfriend, Ronna? Why does Young suffer the most in the end? Why were all of the boys unable to see the reality of Simon's manipulation of them? Start blogging about this book. As you get into it, you may want to check out the discussion guides at the author's website. Start connecting with the themes in Othello.

Twilight by Stephenie Meyers

What has suddenly drawn Bella to choose Forks over Arizona? Is it just another example of her klutziness? Will this klutziness become a tragic flaw? What about her makes all the boys desire her? How will this lead to more jealousy and suspiscion?
Will it be possible for Edward to control his desires? his flaws? Who has more power in this relationship-Bella or Edward? How do Edward, Bella and Jacob manipulate each other to get what they desire? The Cullens appear to be the 'perfect' American family that has it all--looks, personality and money. How does this illusion both protect and hinder them? Everyone in this novel seems to be somewhat of an outsider. Is that just normal in high school today?

Start posting your comments to these questions and others you have about the thematic connects to Othello.

By the way, did you know the Twilight movie starts filming this month? Check out the choices for Bella and Edward. Do they match your images?

Looking For Alaska by John Green

Does the Colonel (Chip) give himself and Pudge (Miles) new names to counteract their feelings of being outsiders at Culver Creek? Or is he hoping the new identities will change their realities and/or enhance their reputations? How easily is Pudge/Miles manipulated by Chip and Alaska? Does Alaska have power over the boys because she is attractive or is it simply because adolescent males with raging hormones are ripe for manipulation by any female? Is it their flaw? Does jealousy/suspicion make it difficult, if not impossible for males and females to be good friends? Start blogging about this book as it relates to the theme topics in Othello.

As Simple As Snow by Gregory Galloway

The story of Anna Cayne, as told by our unnamed narrator, so thoroughly touches on all of our Othello themes. Is it simply Anna's gender that gives her so much power over everyone in the town? Or as an outsider is she so in tune with people's illusions and realities it makes it easy for her to manipulate everyone around her? Did Anna use jealousy and suspicion to manipulate the narrator? Who is more flawed--Anna or the narrator?Once you get into the book, you may want to check out the As Simple as Snow website to more fully understand Anna by learning more about the authors and musicians that intrigued her.

Kindred by Octavia Butler

Dana's life has been pretty normal up until her 26th birthday when she is suddenly sent back in time. How does Dana's gender affect her power both in the present time and her travels to the past? Who is more in control--Rufus or Dana? Is it Rufus' flaws, or some other force that manipulates Dana's travels? Is she more of an outsider in the present or in her slave past? Does Kevin struggle more with jealousy and suspicion or with illusion and reality when his wife disappears for periods of time? Start blogging about the theme connections to Othello.

Breathing Underwater by Alex Flinn

Why does Nick need to promote the illusion that it was 'just a slap' because Caitlin pushed him too far? Is this the only illusion Nick needs to believe to survive? Why is it important to him that he feels Caitlin is controlling his behavior? Who or what is really manipulating the situation? Is it Nick's tragic flaws of jealousy and suspicion? Is control/abuse a way for him to overcome his feelings of being an outsider? Or does his father as a role model contribute to his feelings that the male must have the power in the relationship at all costs? Start blogging about the Othello theme connections. Once you have read most of the book, you may want to check out the discussion guide for the book. Be careful, it may spoil the book if you read it too soon.

Just Listen by Sarah Dessen

Annabel Greene, as she appears in the Back to School commercial for the local department store, creates the illusion she is living the 'perfect' life. Like her model sisters, the reality of her life is so different from the illusion created for the public. How has jealousy and suspicion led to Annabel's new reputation as the novel opens? Has Annabel always been an outsider, or is this a new role for her? Owen tells only the truth, while Annabel rarely tells her true feelings. Which character suffers more as the result of their flaws? Why is Sophie so successful with her manipulation of others? Start finding the connections to the Othello themes.