nightthoreau

The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Dear Book Group Members: Welcome to the **BEST BOOK GROUP EVER!** When your are a group leader post 5 to 6 questions about your topic. In order to ensure happiness and success for your fellow group members, please have your summary response and discussion questions posted no later than 9:00 pm the night before the day that you will be leading the discussion. If you are unable to post by this time or are having trouble posting, please try to inform the group members if at all possible.

Reading Schedule: pg 1-20 due on Monday May 3 pg 21-40 due on Thursday May 6 pg 41-60 due on Monday May 10 pg 61-80 due on Wednesday May 12 pg 81-101 due on Thursday May 13

Book Group Schedule: Leader(s): Sophia (Biographer) and Brooke (Symbols and Motifs) Monday May 3 Summary Responses: Discussion Questions:

Sophia-Biographer 1.) Jerome Lawrence was a transcendentalist. How do you think his beliefs are reflected into the character of Henry David Thoreau? 2.) Robert E. Lee served in the Vietnam War. How do you think his time in the war will affect how the Mexican-American War is portrayed in the book? 3.) Jerome Lawrence was born Jerome Lawrence Schwartz. Henry David Thoreau was born David Henry Thoreau. What do you think is the significance of these transcendentalists name changes? 4.) On page 7, Thoreau seems as though he is not proud of graduating from Harvard. Lawrence graduated from Ohio State University while Lee graduated from University of Southern California. How do you think they viewed their education in contrast to Thoreau? 5.) Lawrence and Lee had completely different beliefs. Lawrence was a transcendentalist while Lee was Episcopalian. How do you think their contrasting beliefs influenced the book? Brooke-Master of Symbols and Motifs 1- How do you think these symbols will show up later in the play? how could they influence the plot? 2- Many of the symbols and motifs have to do with truth, lies, freedom, and individuality. What do you think Lawrence and Lee were trying to show the audience through choosing these symbols? 3-Some of these symbols and motifs do not have "classical" meanings (work, conformity/nonconformity). Do you think that they have and further meaning or are they simply concerns of the characters? 4- Based on the other texts that we have read this year, what have we already learned about some of these symbols and motifs? Do you think that Lawrence and Lee will try to contradict these typical views of the symbols and motifs? 5- In the first 20 pages, we learn that they play jumps around to all different times in the characters' lives and that time (another big motif) is presented as nonlinear. What does this show about transcendental perception of time?

Leader(s): John and Robert (both New Historicist) Thursday May 6 - Read to page 40, as hard as that may be Summary Responses: Opening Activity: If this show was made into a musical, what would the musical numbers be like? Get ready to discuss and/or write lyrics. Discussion Questions:

John- New Historicist 1. The Vietnam War was going on during the time this play was written and first performed. What parallels do you see between the Vietnam War and Thoreau’s struggle? 2. The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970. How do you think that this mindset influenced the authors and the depiction of the Transcendentalist movement? 3. At this time, there was lots of unrest on college campuses -- the Kent State Shootings are just one example. How do you think this climate ties in with the production of the play -- it was produced by Ohio St. University 4.  How do you think that the classroom scene (pgs 21-23) could tie in to the unrest within the educational system ? Robert - Newer Historicist 1- The play was well received after its debut and had over 75 productions over the next year. Why might the play have been so popular? 2- Is the book more of Thoreau's protest of the Mexican-American War or is it more of the authors' protest of modern war? Does it speak for both generations? 3. How would the play have been written or received differently if it had been written before 1970, or even during Thoreau's lifetime? 4. What similarities or differences are there between this play and //Inherit the Wind// (besides their authors)?

Leader(s): Colton (feminist) and Trey (Marxist) Monday May 10: read pages 41-60 (already over half way done...) Summary Response: Discussion Questions: Colton - Feminist 1) How does Henry take control of Bailey in the book? 2) How does Bailey take control of Henry in the book? 3) How does Transcendentalism and the idea of non-conformity relate to feminism? 4) How and when does the shift of power in the book take place, and who is responsible? 5) Who in the book is being oppressed? 6) What facts can be given about Ellen to support the idea of feminism?

Trey - Marxist 1. In this story, a big deal is made of the corruptness of society and people value things more highly than nature (this anti-materialism being a Marxist ideal). Why then does the book so strongly present ideas of individuality, something not commonly associated with communism? 2. On page 6 Emerson says "Cast Conformity behind you." What does this say about the way he, and perhaps the authors as well, view society? Does this have to do with the Vietnam War or are they unconnected? 3. On page 8 when Thoreau is describing the light he sees in Emerson's face he says, "..it's the light of all Mankind!". What are Lawrence and Lee trying to say about the ideas of this transcendental time? 4. Thoreau says "A loon doesn't wage war, and his government is the best, being none existent." What is Thoreau trying to say about outcasts and governmental controls? Do you agree?

Leader(s): ASR (Modern Connection) Wednesday May 12 Read the lyrics to “I Don’t Wanna Be” by Gavin DeGraw
 * Before coming to class tomorrow…**

//I don't need to be anything other Than a prison guard's son// //I don't need to be anything other  Than a specialist's son// //I don't have to be anyone other Than the birth of two souls in one// //Part of where I'm going, is knowing where I'm coming from// //[Chorus:] I don't want to be Anything other than what I've been trying to be lately// //All I have to do Is think of me and I have peace of mind// //I'm tired of looking 'round rooms Wondering what I've got to do Or who I'm supposed to be// //I don't want to be anything other than me// //I'm surrounded by liars everywhere I turn// //I'm surrounded by imposters everywhere I turn I'm surrounded by identity crisis everywhere I turn// //Am I the only one who noticed?// //I can't be the only one who's learned!// //[Chorus]// //Can I have everyone's attention please?// //If you're not like this and that, you're gonna have to leave// //I came from the mountain// //The crust of creation// //My whole situation-made from clay to stone// //And now I'm telling everybody//

“Big Yellow Taxi” by Joni Mitchell //They paved paradise and put up a parkin' lot// //With a pink hotel, a boutique, and a swingin' hot spot// //Don't it always seem to go// //That you don't know what you got till it's gone// //They paved paradise and put up a parkin' lot//
 * A song to also consider…**

//They took all the trees, and put em in a tree museum// //And they charged the people a dollar and a half to see them// //No, no, no, don't it always seem to go// //That you don't know what you've got till it's gone// //They paved paradise, and put up a parkin' lot//

//Hey farmer, farmer, put away your DDT// //I don't care about spots on my apples,// //Leave me the birds and the bees - please// //Don't it always seem to go// //That you don't know what you got till it's gone// //They paved paradise and put up a parking lot// //Hey now, they've paved paradise to put up a parking lot// //Why not?//

//Listen, late last night, I heard the screen door swing,// //And a big yellow taxi took my man away// //Now don't it always seem to go// //That you don't know what you got till it's gone// //They paved paradise and put up a parking lot// //Hey now now, don't it always seem to go// //That you don't know what you got till it's gone// //They paved paradise to put up a parking lot// //Why not, they paved paradise// //They put up a parking lot// //Hey hey hey, paved paradise and put up a parking lot//

To get all our brains engaged, we will be playing a game of charades! Everyone will draw a note-card from a hat with a character’s name on it. Then it is up to you on how you want to portray that character. This will help us get in the mind-set of different characters and get our blood flowing. (Also, one step closer to a musical.)
 * Beginning Activity:**


 * Questions:**
 * 1) Who do you see as current transcendentalists? Example: Lady Gaga (I’ll explain in class)
 * 2) Why do you think people who want to be known as individuals usually end up having the most followers? Are their followers unique? Why or why not
 * 3) In today’s society, what are some of the most common messages we hear? (About being an individual, self-expression, aspirations, college applications, etc) How are they similar/different to the ones Thoreau proclaimed?
 * 4) How has education changed since Thoreau’s time? Do you think he would be happy with our “improvements”? p. 22-24,29
 * 5) Do you think it is harder in this day and age to be individuals, or in Thoreau’s time? Why or why not?
 * 6) What do you think of taxes? Are there any issues today that would make you not pay yours?
 * 7) After reading my summary of Neo-Transcendentalism, do you think Thoreau would agree with this new way of thinking?
 * 8) (Un related to modernism) Why do you think the stage is so minimalist? (p.73 imaginary huckleberries)

Summary Response:

Leader(s): Brady (Jungian) Thursday May 13

Warm Up Activity: It would be great if everybody in the group could wear Tie Dye to show our individuality, but we still conform to each other, and it is the last book group. We will be performing are musical number about all of the different types of grass in Heywood's Meadow. Everyone should come up with a dance or action to contribute to the song. This should be a great way to kick all of our brains into gear and provide excellent energy for the discussion. However, if the weather does not permit us to perform we will each describe our ideal place in nature and when the best time it is to be present in that place.

Summary Response:

Discussion Questions:

1. What do you think the authors are trying to say about Thoreau by presenting him as many archetypes? Is this a want of individuality? How does this relate to people in the modern world? 2. Which archetype do you believe is the most prevalent in Thoreau? 3. What is the importance of the "spiritual father" even though Henry is against religion? 4. What are Lawrence and Lee attempting to say about the Teacher and the Student and their relationship? 5. On page 75 Edward says, "Henry. I wish you were my Father! (Henry looks at the boy, wishing he were, too)." Is the father archetype another representation of Thoreau or just a position Thoreau lusted after? 6. The Rebel is a prominent archetype. Do you believe there are parts in the play where the rebel is more of an anarchist? If so why do you think the authors added in the anarchy?