Sargasso Sea Sessions
Have you ever wanted to rewrite history or tell your side of a story? Jean
Rhys felt that one of the most famous characters in Charlotte Bronte’s Jane
Eyre was misunderstood and portrayed as a villain so she decided to change
the story. Instead of the mad woman in the attic, Bertha Mason is
transformed into Antoinette whose troubled past and rocky future force her
into a role she does not want to play. Travel back in time to Jamaica in the
1800s where black magic, riots, social classes, and prejudice all rule. Each
week we will be meeting and discussing parts of the novel as a class. In
order to better understand the novel and analyze its literary depth, you will be completing
various activities throughout this story. Please examine each section of the directions below
carefully in order to understand the purposes for your reading.
Begin Unit: February 18th
Jane Eyre Book Study:
We will be first conducting a synopsis book study of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre to better
understand the references made in Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea. You will have one week to read
the spark notes summary of Jane Eyre. In order to make sure that you understand the plot line of
this novel, you will be taking an in-depth test of the main ideas and characters. The quiz will focus
on content not context. Understanding the portrayal of women specifically Bertha Mason will be
essential to analyzing Wide Sargasso Sea.
Week One: Jane Eyre Summary Quiz (February 25th)
Background Knowledge Gallery Walk:
In order to prepare for reading Rhys Wide Sargasso Sea, we need to gain background information on
important concepts and historical references that will be mentioned in this novel. You will be in small
groups (self-selected) and given a topic to thoroughly research. Your task will be to create a poster
that reflects all the aspects of your topic including pictures, text, and examples. Remember that you
will the expert for your background information, so make sure it is clear for your classmates to
understand.
British Empire and Colonialism (1800s)
- Jamaica’s Abolition of Slavery (1834)
- Coulibri, Jamaica
- The Sargasso Sea
- Obeah and Black Magic
*Week Two: Gallery Walk (March 4th)
Reading Schedule:
Each week you will be responsible to read the assigned section of the novel and be ready for
discussion on the date the reading is due. There will also be an in-depth content quiz at the
beginning of the class to check for understand. Be prepared to know characters, plot line, literary
elements, background knowledge, and references to Jane Eyre.
- Week 3: Part I and Project Choice #1(Due: March 11th)
- Week 4 : Part II and Project Choice #2(Due: March 18th)
- Week 5: Part III and Project Choice #3 (Due: March 25th)
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Wide Sargasso Sea Projects:
Each week that we read, you will complete one of the following projects. You may choose
the order that you complete the projects, but you cannot repeat. There are five project
options and you ONLY need to complete three. Please see the descriptions to better understand the expectations for
each one.
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Project #1 Youtube Music Video: Find two school appropriate music videos that represent the points of view
of Mr. Mason and Antoinette. Make sure you have the links to the videos ready to share with the class. You will
also need to write at least one full paragraph (5-7 sentences) about the music video, the point of views of the
characters, and how the two connect to each other.
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Project #2 Dialect: Find five separate quoted examples of dialect from the novel that reflect at least three
different social classes that exist in the novel. Translate each quote into modern English. Consider how dialect
works in our own society and find three different dialects that reflect three different generations’ thoughts of
the same topic. Finally, write a paragraph (5-7 sentences) about how language holds power or different meaning
for different classes or generations.
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Project #3 Setting: Imagine yourself on the island with the characters and bring the setting to life by creating a
collage of at least five textures that represent life in Jamaica during the time of the novel. These textures could
be a variety of items such as plants, flowers, fabrics, etc. Please make sure that your textures are secure and will
not make a mess, smell, or fall apart. Write a paragraph (5-7 sentences) explaining each texture.
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Project #4 Draw It: Choose one scene from your reading that you found moving or important to the plot. Use
the diction to create a visual representation of the scene. This creation can be drawn by you, drawn by a friend,
or traced. There should be no printout of pictures. If you would like to take your own photos and print them out,
that would be acceptable. Please include where this scene is located within the novel so that the teacher can
reread it. Also include at least one full paragraph (seven sentences) that describes the scene.
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Project #5 Character Bag: Choose one character from Wide Sargasso Sea to create a character bag. A character
bag is similar to a brag bag speech but for a literary character. You will need to decorate the outside of the bag
with colorful lettering and at least five pictures that describe the character’s personality, actions, or interests.
Make sure to include the name of the character on the front of the bag. Inside the bag, include five items that
represent the character. These items can be a real item or a printed picture of the item. Please include on the
back of the bag, a typed explanation (three to four sentences) for each item describing how this item connects
to the character’s personality, actions, or interests.
Student Led Theme Discussions:
Each week you and your peers will be leading the discussion about themes in the novel by becoming
the teachers of the class. At the beginning of the novel, we will select the teaching groups so that you
will have time to prepare. In order to create fairness, the groups will be self-selected to make you feel
more comfortable. However, the computer will randomly select which theme your group will be
assigned. Please look at the following expectations for your presentation.
-
Create a written game plan with explanations of activities, time needed for each activity, and notes about the
role of each group member and what they will be saying. Due the Monday before presentation
- Technology must be used to present
- Post at least a half page bulleted summary of the main literary analysis of your theme on the shared Google
Drive document titled “Wide Sargasso Sea Themes”
- Create five discussion questions from your theme and make the questions visible for students to see
- Evidence from the text (at least five quotes)is utilized to discuss what is happening in the story
- At least one engaging activity to have the students demonstrate that they understand the theme
- Presentation Time Limit: 30 Minutes
**Week 6: Race & Social Class, The Supernatural & Power (Due: April 8th)
**Week 7: Colonialism & Identity, Language & Communication (Due: April 15th)
** Week 8: Men vs. Women (Patriarchal vs Matriarchal), Madness & Versions of Reality (Due: April 22nd)
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Literary Analysis Paper Schedule:
You will be creating a literary analysis paper examining one of three major themes from wide
Sargasso Sea. Please see the choices below for more details on the paper. Refer to the schedule
below for due dates of the different pieces of the paper. You will be writing most of this paper
at your own pace with specific due dates for accountability.
**Note that Week 9 is not the next consecutive week after Week 8. In order to be ready please complete the
following parts of your paper by Week 9.
o Research Topic and Find All Nine Quotes
o Write a Thesis Statement (Implicit)
o Write Body Paragraphs
o Conference with Teacher (You are responsible for setting that up)
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Week 9 : (May 6th)
o In Class: Body Paragraphs Peer Edits & Student Conferences
o Homework: Introduction, Conclusions, & Final Revisions
o Email a copy of the final paper & turn it in to www.turnitin.com (Due: May 13th)
Wide Sargasso Sea Literary Analysis Paper
Prompt A: Madness
Antoinette and her mother are driven to madness in a world where nothing seems stable and neither one can be loved
or accepted because of their social class. Rhys specifically highlights the ways that these two women are not the product
of genetic defaults but instead are products of the male dominant environment that devalues women. Charlotte Bronte
clearly states a different view on Bertha Mason and blames her madness as the reason Jane and Rochester cannot be
together. How does the characterization of Antoinette and her mother reconstruct the view of “madness”? Does their
insanity seem to be a result of genetic traits or environmental cruelty? Is Antoinette’s madness caused by her forced
marriage and Rochester’s behavior or was she preconditioned to madness and his actions brought out the worst in her?
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In your answer, include the definition of “the mad woman in the attic” and “madness”
Demonstrate how Antoinette’s “madness” is developed in the story and what Rhys is saying about this topic
Take a stance on the argument of nature versus nurture related to insanity in the novel
Cite specific examples from Wide Sargasso Sea
Prompt B: Race and Identity
Antoinette and many other characters such as Rochester struggle to find their identity in this post-abolition setting
where social classes have changed where many powerless characters gain authority and those who were in control have
no influence. Everyone in the novel navigates how race, gender, and class affects their identity. Many of the characters
in the novel act as mirrors or foils and bring out the worst characteristics of each other. How do race, class, gender, and
culture affect the characters’ identities? How do the characters’ relationships affect their sense of who they are? How to
relationships such as friends, family, master, and romance shape the identity the characters create?
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In your answer, discuss the new social class system that occurs in the novel and where the characters stand
Demonstrate how the characters find their identities and what shapes their understanding of themselves
What is Rhys saying about the topic
Cite specific examples from Wide Sargasso Sea
Prompt C: Contrasting Points of View
Jean Rhys takes the classic novel Jane Eyre and gives Antoinette (Bertha Mason) a back story and a life outside of the
attic. In her prequel to Bronte’s famous novel, Rhys gives voice to this marginalized character who plays the villain in
Jane Eyre but becomes the misunderstood heroine in Wide Sargasso Sea. Consider the new point of view introduced in
Rhys novel specifically the ending. How does Jean Rhys rewrite Bertha Mason’s story? What is the message that she
trying to write? What literary critiques of Charlotte Bronte’s does Wide Sargasso Sea reveal?
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In your answer, define the point of view Rhys makes through her literary work focusing on the ending
Include the critiques that Rhys is demonstrating about Jane Eyre
Cite specific examples from Wide Sargasso Sea and Jane Eyre
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Wide Sargasso Sea Literary Analysis Rubric
Name: ____________________________
Due Date: __________________
Introduction:
43210
Gives the reader a clear understanding of the focus of the paper and includes an attention-getter.
Thesis Statement:
43210
Contains a main subject, argues a point, and demonstrates a clear literary analysis opinion
Thesis Reason #1:
86420
Contains at least three properly cited quotes and effectively utilizes writer’s voice to support thesis; analyzes & limits plot summary.
Thesis Reason #2:
86420
Contains at least three properly cited quotes and effectively utilizes writer’s voice to support thesis; analyzes & limits plot summary.
Thesis Reason #3:
86420
Contains at least three properly cited quotes and effectively utilizes writer’s voice to support thesis; analyzes & limits plot summary.
Conclusion:
43210
Rewords thesis effectively and wraps up the main idea.
Organization:
43210
Well organized essay uses topic sentences, transitions, & clinchers to connect ideas smoothly & maintain relevance.
Word Choice:
3210
Essay contains precise, varied vocabulary with a variety of sentence structures; written in third person; maintains a consistent tense.
Mechanics:
3210
Essay has complete sentences with few grammatical and mechanical errors.
MLA Format:
43210
Typed correctly in MLA format with a properly formatted Works Cited page.
Total:
Submit to turnitin.com by ________________
_____ pts.
_____ -late pts.
_____/50
Comments:
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Wide Sargasso Sea Rubrics
Student Led Discussion
*Each of the following requirements is graded on a scale of 0-5.
_____  Written Game Plan submitted the MONDAY before presentation with explanation of activities, time
needed for each activity, and notes about the role of each group member
_____  Technology is used
_____  At least one engaging activity
_____  Time limit of 30 minutes utilized
*The following requirement is graded on a scale of 0-10.
_____  At least a quarter page bulleted summary of the main ideas for the theme on the shared Google Drive
_____  At least five quotes utilized during the discussion
*The following requirement is graded on a scale of 0-20.
_____  At least five in depth discussion questions related to the theme are presented and thoroughly discussed
Total Points for Lesson: ________ (60 Points Possible)
Teacher Notes during Presentation:
Comments:
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Wide Sargasso Sea Projects
Project #1 Youtube Music Videos (20 pts)
Submission Date: ________________________
_____  School appropriate music video with Link about Mr. Mason (5 pts)
_____  School appropriate music video with Link about Antoinette (5 pts)
_____  At least one full paragraph written (5 pts)
_____  Paragraph discusses the music videos, point of views, and the connection between the two (5 pts)
Project #2 Dialect (20 pts)
Submission Date: ________________________
_____  At least five examples of dialect that represent three social classes; quotes include translations (10 pts)
_____  At least three examples of dialects that represent three generations’ views on same topic (5 pts)
_____  Paragraph that discusses how language holds different meaning for different classes or generations (5 pts)
Project #3 Setting (20 pts)
Submission Date: ________________________
_____  At least five textures of all different varieties included in collage (5 pts)
_____  Each texture has a clear connection to the setting of the novel (5pts)
_____  Paragraph that discusses how each texture represents a part of the setting (10pts)
Project #4 Draw It (20 pts)
Submission Date: ________________________
_____  One scene is selected and the location for this scene is included (5pts)
_____  The visual representation accurately portrays the selected scene with scene location included (10 pts)
_____  A complete paragraph (seven sentences) that describes the scene (5pts)
Project #5 Character Box (20 pts)
Submission Date: ________________________
_____  The front of the bag is decorated including the character name, and includes fonts and photos (5 pts)
_____  5 items are included inside the bag and each item accurately reflects the character (5 pts)
_____  Includes a typed explanation (three or four sentences) for each item that connects to the character (10 pts)
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Parental and Student Consent Form
To the parents/guardians of _____________________________________________
I am writing to inform you that in your child’s Honors English 10 class we will be covering a unit shortly regarding
cultural issues including: race, identity, and the power of language. We will be reading Jean Rhys’ novel, Wide
Sargasso Sea. The unit will approach themes of racism, sexuality, and the supernatural which our literature, media
and other supplemental texts and articles will cover.
My goal as your child’s teacher is not to force beliefs upon your student, but rather challenge them to analyze difficult
topics in a mature fashion. I also hope to expose your child to literature and themes that they can directly relate to in
order to allow them to gain a greater appreciation for reading. The content of this unit will in no way exceed or
degrade the standards set by the school nor the district. Whatever is presented will be done tastefully and as
censored as possible, so that there is a compromise reached between our standards and your concerns for your child.
With that said, if you feel the content in this unit is inappropriate for your child, or you feel that your child will not be
able to handle this unit in a mature fashion, please contact me and/or indicate on the permission form below, and a
new lesson plan covering similar themes in a novel with a less graphic presentation will be written up for your
child (Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe). There will be no consequences for abstaining from reading Wide Sargasso
Sea. I thank you for your time and willingness to better your child’s education.
Sincerely,
Miss Farson
Please fill in this form to show that you have read and understand the parental consent form. By signing this
document, you and your student agree to the terms and conditions for the Wide Sargasso Sea unit. Please check one
of the following options below:

My student will be reading Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Sea

My student will be opting out of reading Wide Sargasso Sea and will instead be reading Things Fall Apart
Student Name Printed__________________________________________________________________
Student Signature _____________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardian Signature ______________________________________________________________
Comments or Concerns:
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