Through the study of various fictional works and literary criticism, students read literary and informational texts to understand the style and characteristics of “magical realism” and the connections of texts over time and space.
Students express their understanding by examining how authors transform source material and how literature can reveal “real human truth” and be used as a vehicle for social commentary.
Metamorphosis Unit Culminating Writing Task
Culminating Writing Task Directions How does The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka draw on and transform the myth “The Transformation of Arachne into a Spider” from Ovid’s Metamorphoses and, by doing so, meet the criteria for magical realism?
Write an explanatory essay using proper grammar, conventions, spelling, and grade-appropriate words and phrases.
Cite several pieces of strong and thorough textual evidence, including direct quotations and parenthetical citations.
Review The Metamorphosis and “The Transformation of Arachne into a Spider.”
Compare and contrast the details, events, ideas, and themes to determine how The Metamorphosis draws on (compare) and transforms (contrasts) the myth.
Review criteria for magical realism.
Examine the elements of The Metamorphosis to determine how it meets the criteria.
Write an explanatory essay using proper grammar, conventions, spelling, and grade-appropriate words and phrases.
Cite several pieces of strong and thorough textual evidence, including direct quotations and parenthetical citations.
Extension Task Students read an excerpt from “The Horse and the Olive” from James Baldwin’s Old Greek Stories then write their own modernized version using magical realism.