The Joy That
Kills:
A Hypertextual Exploration of the
theme of Gender and Society in
the Works of Kate Chopin
Robin Soule – ENG 613
Introduction
For my final project I explored how a hypertext version of a
literary text could be developed to serve as both an
interactive e-book and a course space for a mini-unit on the
theme of gender and society in the work of Kate Chopin.
This unit is designed for a 11-12th grade English Language
Arts class.
The two hypertexts can be found at:
https://eng613hypertextrsoule.wordpress.com/
Or click to the next two slides to see how they look!
Why Kate Chopin?
Both Kate Chopin’s short story “The Story of an Hour” and
her longer novella “The Awakening” explore the challenges
faced by young married women at the end of the nineteenth
century.
By exploring hypertext versions of both texts students will
get an introduction to both feminist criticism and literary
realism, and be able to discuss how Chopin uses literary
techniques to explore the changing role of women in
society.
Why hypertext?
Where to begin?? Instead of working their way through a
piece of literature in one linear path, students reading in
hypertext will be able to explore a “garden of forking paths”
that encourages them to engage with and expand on the
text in new and different ways.
This format also allows me, as a teacher to take a piece of
literary text and build related content, close-reading
activities, and even assessments directly in to the text itself.
So. How does it work?
Getting started
Students who enter the hypertext will first encounter
introductory text that establishes the basic context for the
reading and related activities.
Links to additional content
Students start by clicking on hyperlinked words or phrases
in the introductory content that connect them to relevant
outside content, such as information about the author1…
…or the historical context of the texts2.
Guiding questions for close reading
Once students begin to work through the hypertext itself,
they will find specific words or phrases that are linked to
questions that encourage close-reading and deeper textual
analysis.
Reading and discussion questions
Students will also encounter more formal “Reading and
Discussion” and “Reflection” questions. Students will be
instructed to answer a certain number of these questions in
the comments section as part of their assessment for the
unit.
Even more assessments!
The hypertext includes a range of additional assignments
including a pre-reading free-write prompt and a list of
possible topics for a longer essay, which could be assigned
at the beginning or end of the unit.
And even videos!!
(Sometimes… Works in hypertext 100%... In
PowerPoint approx. 56% of the time.)
Strategy
Ok so… Clearly there are lots of great ways that this
hypertext can help my students engage with literature. But
what about the challenges? How do I integrate this into my
course overall without the losing track of my learning
objectives?
A couple of things to keep in mind…
• It is safe to assume that students in my class will be
somewhat familiar with reading hypertexts, as they are
incredibly common on the internet. And yet it is always
important to prepare for and adapt to different levels of
experience and some students may need extra handholding as they adjust to the format.
• Every activity that I build in to the hypertext should be
focused on the larger theme and purpose of the unit. It
will be important not to get carried away with the
technology and lose track of the actual lesson.
One more…
• The hypertext format provides many exciting
opportunities for building activities and assessments into
the text. But in order for the “interactive ebook/coursespace” format to be effective for students I
will need to be very careful to include clear instructions.
Students will need specific guidelines for exactly how
many or which activities they are expected to complete,
and where exactly they should submit their work.
(Comment board? Email?)
Sources
1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_Chopin
2. http://history.house.gov/Exhibitions-andPublications/WIC/Historical-Essays/NoLady/Womens-Rights/