21st Century Literature
from the Philippines
and the World
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Textual Analysis of Literary Works
from North America
21st Century Literature from the Philippines and the World – Grade 11
Quarter 4 - Module 2: Textual Analysis of Literary Works from North America
First Edition, 2020
Republic Act 8293, section 176 states that: No copyright shall subsist in any work of the
Government of the Philippines. However, prior approval of the government agency or office
wherein the work is created shall be necessary for exploitation of such work for profit. Such
agency or office may, among other things, impose as a condition the payment of
royalties.Borrowed materials (i.e., songs, stories, poems, pictures, photos, brand names,
trademarks, etc.) included in this module are owned by their respective copyright holders.
Every effort has been exerted to locate and seek permission to use these materials from their
respective copyright owners. The publisher and authors do not represent nor claim ownership
over them.
Published by the Department of Education
Development Team of the Module
Writer: Jennelou N. Angelo
Editor: Reviewer: Divilyn M. Rodriguez
Illustrators: Julius V. Robles, Angel De Gracia
Layout Artist: Wedzmer B. Munjilul, Julius V. Robles
Template Developer: Neil Edward D. Diaz
Management Team: Reynaldo M. Guillena
Jinky B. Firman
Marilyn V. Deduyo
Alma C. Cifra
May Ann M. Jumuad
Aris B. Juanillo
Printed in the Philippines by: Davao City Division Learning Resources Management
Development System (LRMDS)
Department of Education – Division of Davao City
Office Address:
Telephone:
E-mail Address:
E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City
(082) 227 4762
lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph
21st Century Literature
from the Philippines
and the World
Quarter 4 – Module 2:
Textual Analysis of Literary Works
from North America
Introductory Message
For the facilitator:
As a facilitator, you are expected to orient the learners on how to use
this module. You also need to keep track of the learners' progress while
allowing them to manage their own learning at home. Furthermore, you are
expected to encourage and assist the learners as they do the tasks included
in the module.
For the learner:
As a learner, you must learn to become responsible of your own
learning. Take time to read, understand, and perform the different activities
in the module.
As you go through the different activities of this module be reminded of
the following:
1. Use the module with care. Do not put unnecessary mark/s on any part
of the module. Use a separate sheet of paper in answering the exercises.
2. Don’t forget to answer Let Us Try before moving on to the other
activities.
3. Read the instructions carefully before doing each task.
4. Observe honesty and integrity in doing the tasks and checking your
answers.
5. Finish the task at hand before proceeding to the next.
6. Return this module to your teacher/facilitator once you are done.
If you encounter any difficulty in answering the tasks in this module, do not
hesitate to consult your teacher or facilitator. Always bear in mind that you
are not alone. We hope that through this material, you will experience
meaningful learning and gain deep understanding of the relevant
competencies. You can do it!
iii
Let Us Learn
I am pretty sure that you have enjoyed engaging yourself in learning and doing
the activities in the previous lessons. Congratulations! You have shown your interest
in learning. Let me take you to another interesting lesson that will engage you in
interesting activities that I have made in this module.
In this module, we will be learning how to analyze a text and how to write a
critical interpretation of a text using the reader-based approach focusing on a literary
work from North America.
Learning Competency:
• Writing a close analysis and critical interpretation of literary texts, applying a
reading approach, and doing an adaptation of these, require from the learner
the ability to identify: representative texts and authors from Asia, North
America, Europe, Latin America, and Africa (EN12Lit-IIa-22)
At the end of this module, you are expected to:
1. identify literary works and authors from North America; and
2. write a critical interpretation of a literary text from North America.
Let Us Try
Directions: Choose the letter of the correct answer.
1. Which among the writers below is not a North American writer?
a. Ernest Hemingway
c. Nick Joaquin
b. Mark Twain
d. Edgar Allan Poe
2. When did American literature begin?
a. 15th century
c. 17th Century
b. 16th century
d. 18th Century
3. Which of the following is the work of Ernest Hemingway?
a. The Raven
c. Little Women
b. The Old Man and the Sea
d. The Cask of Amontillado
4. What is the central theme of the book “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”?
a. bravery
b. slavery
c. freedom
d. love
5. Who is the writer of the poem “Hope is the thing with Feathers”?
a. Louisa May Alcott
c. Emily Dickenson
b. Elizabeth Barrette Browning
d. T.S. Elliot
6. Which of the following writers is best known for his style in gothic literature?
a. Ernest Hemingway
c. William Faulkner
b. Edgar Allan Poe
d. Mark Twain
7. What is the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens?
a. Mark twain
c. William Faulkner
b. Edgar Allan Poe
d. Ernest Hemingway
8. When did Ernest Hemingway get Nobel Prize for literature?
a. 1944
b. 1954
c. 1964
d. 1974
9. What does romantic period focused on?
a. politics
b. freedom
c. emotions
d. independence
10. American literature is divided into how many parts?
a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 6
11. The modernist period covered the years from ____?
a. 17th century-1830
c. 1870-1910
b. 1830-1870
d. 1910-1945
12. What genre does The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn belong to?
a. Poetry
b. drama
c. nonfiction
d. picaresque
13. Which of the following is the work of Louisa May Alcott?
a. Little Men
b. Success is Counted Sweetest
c. The Garden of Eden
d. Joan of Arc
14. Which of the following is a novel?
a. Annabel Lee
b. Jo’s Boys
c. The Tell-tale Heart
d. This is my Letter to the World
15. In the fourth stanza of the poem “The Raven”, what does the writer see
when he opens the door?
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
“Sir,” said I, “or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you”—here I opened wide the door;—
Darkness there and nothing more.
a. light
Lesson
1
b. darkness
c. shadow
d. twilight
North America Literary
Works and Authors
North America’s literature was formed by its history and culture. North
America is rich in poetry, drama, fiction, social and literary criticism since 17th
century. The American literature is divided into five periods: the colonial and early
period (17th century to 1830), the romantic period (1830-1870), realism and
naturalism (1870-1910, the modernist period (1910-1945), and the contemporary
period (1945 to present).
Among the North American writers are the following:
Mark Twain (1835-1910)
Mark Twain was the pen name of Samuel Langhorne Clemens. He was born
on November 30, 1835 in Florida, Missouri. Mark Twain was the fifth child of
Marshall Clemens, a country merchant, and Jane Maupton Clemens, a housewife.
Mark Twain was one of the greatest writers in American literature where he
wrote several genres and contributed a lot in the literature. Among his works are the
stories of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
The story of Tom Sawyer evolves on the life of a playful and creative boy who lived
with his aunt Poly. Commentaries stress out that the story of Tom Sawyer reflects
the childhood adventure of Mark Twain. Moreover, the story of The Adventures of
Huckleberry Finn tells the story of a young lad who goes on an adventure of a lifetime,
along with the people he interacted and met in his journey. It details his life, his
struggles and how he overcame each. Among Mark Twain’s works are The Prince and
the Pauper (1881), A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court (1889), Joan of Arc
(1896), and more.
Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849)
One of the renowned writers in the world is Edgar Allan Poe. Edgar Allan Poe
is one of the most influential American writers in 19th century. His contribution in
the literature draws everyone’s attention especially his style of writing in gothic
literature. Most of Poe’s works are based on his personal experiences. Among his
well-known works is the poem of “Annabel Lee”, which narrates the love of a man to
Annabel in a kingdom by the sea. Poe narrates how Annabel Lee was killed and how
his husband longed for her. Another Poe’s classic work is the short story of “The
Cask of Amontillado”, which features of a man’s revenge because of receiving insults.
In this story, Poe’s emphasizes the results of jumping into things without thinking
its consequences. Among Poe’s well-known works are To Helen (1831), The Raven
(1845), The Tell-tale Heart (1843) , Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841) , A Dream
Within a Dream (1849) and many more.
Lousia May Alcott (1832-1888)
One of the female American writers is Lousia May Alcott. She created a
different style in writing by allowing readers to view women’s strengths and worth.
Alcott came from a poor family but brought fame in the family because of her writing.
One of Alcott’s best novels is the story of “Little Women” in 1868. It tells the story of
the March sisters; Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. The story delves into their lives, their
journey from childhood, to the “so called little womanhood” and to womanhood.
Among Alcott’s works are the sequels of Little Men (1871) and Jo’s Boys (1886, and
more.
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)
One of America’s greatest poets is Emily Dickinson. She crafted a different
persona of writing that would capture the limitations of the societies. Her works mark
a significant contribution in the American literature. One of her greatest works is the
poem “Hope is the Thing with Feathers”, which reminds the readers about living with
hope. Dickinson uses different figurative language and imageries that would make
the poem captivating. Among her famous works are Success is Counted Sweetest
(1859), I felt a Funeral, in My Brain (1861), This is My Letter to the World (1862), and
many more.
Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)
Ernest Hemingway is an American novelist and short-story writer. He receives
Nobel Prize Award in 1954 because of his lucid prose style in writing. Hemingway
produced most of his writings in the mid- 1920s and the mid-1950s. Most of his
greatest works are The Old Man and The Sea (1952), The Sun Also Rises (1926), For
Whom the Bell Tolls (1940), The Garden of Eden (1986), and many more.
Source: https://www.nosweatshakespeare.com/literature/20-best-american-authors/
Lesson
2
Textual Analysis
If you are required to write a “Text Analysis” of a material which you have
read, do not fret or agonize over what it means or what needs to be done. Text
Analysis only requires you to analyze the text you are reading or have read. In
analyzing the content, you can do this by going through it in detail and not just
casually describe the text. The important things for you to remember are to enlighten,
to describe, to examine and to defend your personal reactions or analysis of the text.
Now, in making a textual analysis, below are the following pointers you can use.
A. 1st Reading: Absorb the story. Do not try to analyze or over-analyze the text
on the initial attempt in reading the text. Try to enjoy and really learn about
what the text is all about, have fun with it and try to get into the characters
of the story.
B. Identification: Try to identify what you liked or did not like about the story,
or which character stood-out for you and which ones you think were not
needed.
C. Proceed to the 2nd Reading: This is intended for you to make notes on how
the story unraveled, how the characters interacted and what were your
feelings as you read the text.
D. Do a 3rd Reading: This is intended for you to organize your thoughts, to
eliminate or add certain details that you think are necessary for you to
complete the analysis.
E. Consider the following questions in formulating your analysis;
• What is the text all about?
• What story is it trying to convey?
•
•
•
Who are the characters and how each impacts the other characters?
Who are the protagonist, and the antagonist?
Which part of the text was the turning point of the whole story?
As you proceed with the analysis, it is best to identify the elements surrounding
the text.
1) Plot is the series of events in the text that helps complete the story. It shows
how the story unravels and progresses in its timeline. It can be noted that it
has five (5) main elements; exposition, rising action, climax, falling action and
resolution. (https://literaryterms.net/plot)
Example: Barry intends to express his feelings for Iris. He then
proceeds to the coffee shop where she works. As he enters the coffee
shop, he sees Iris at the counter. It was now his chance to tell her how
much he loves her and as he took one step toward Iris, Eddie, her
boyfriend, walked in and sits right next to Iris. Feeling defeated, Barry
decides to just leave the coffee shop and head home.
The above example introduces you to Barry’s character and his conflict
(exposition) of wanting to express his feelings for Iris. Then followed by the
(rising action), and as he proceeds to enter the place where she works. The
peak or (climax) is present as Barry took a step toward Iris, ready to blurt out
his feelings. The (falling action) was exemplified when Eddie walks in which
stopped Barry from his plans. Eventually reaching the (resolution) that it was
best to just head home and not pursue Iris anymore. Knowing this allows you
to truly determine the flow of the story which would then guide you in
dissecting and analyzing the text at hand.
2) Characterization is the tool used to create or build the personality of
characters in the text. This is the tool with which one finds out what
characters are aspiring, from how the authors describes each, to what
character says or thinks. It is important for you, as a reader to get into
mind of the character such that it will guide you truly in understanding
story.
the
the
the
the
the
Example: As Iris saw Barry heading towards her, she notices him as
somewhat distraught. Worried for her friend, she heads toward the
counter and tells the manager she’s taking a break. Just as she was
turning toward Barry, her boyfriend Eddie sits beside her; and from the
corner of her eye she could see Barry leaving the shop. A part of her
wanted to run after Barry but decided against it thinking that Barry
might not want her help.
The characterization of Iris as a caring friend is clearly described when she
decided to take a break to talk to her friend. Although, caring and sensitive;
the reader could also identify that she was oblivious to the true feelings of her
best friend. The text does not specify whether she has feelings for Barry, but
it suggests a conflict within her: the conflict of wanting to comfort her best
friend or just be with her boyfriend. Always keep in mind that text analysis
puts value on your thoughts and feelings that the reader gets upon careful
reflection of the story.
3) Setting is a literary element that puts emphasis on the time frame and place
of the story. It can be descriptive about the physical location, time in history
and political setting among others. The element of time can be manifested
through the characters, like when and at what period of the character’s life
the story happened. It could be her/his past, present and future. As for the
physical location, it describes the physical make-up of the story; country, city,
area, buildings and homes where the story unfolded.
Example: It was the summer of 2019 when Barry left for New York that
he realized he had feelings for Iris. So, by the end of that year, he heads
home to Ohio believing it best to express what he felt in person. As his
car enters the city of Columbus Ohio, he could not help but reminisce
of the times he spent with Iris. From the high school they went together,
to the park they loved to visit and the coffee shop where she now works.
Time is clearly stated, which is the summer and the end of 2019. As for the
place; it mentioned the city of New York and the city of Columbus Ohio. The
above text did not vividly discuss the city itself but only mentioned the places
Barry and Iris used to visit and hang-out. So if you have not been to the city
of Columbus, you can create a picture in your mind of what the city may look
like by comparing it to your city and given that it was in 2019; it could have
been in a modern setting.
4. Point of View is dependent on who the author choses to convey the story. It
could be in the 1st person, 2nd person and 3rd person. This basically means to
watch out for “who” is talking to you through the text. So, if the text about
Iris is narrated in her point of view, the text may look like this;
Example: I saw Barry walking towards me, I can see that he is
distraught and maybe just maybe he needs me as his friend (1st person;
using the “I”). We are experiencing the story according to Iris’ point-ofview as one of the characters of the text. While the 2nd person’s pointof-view is rarely used in stories, this utilizes the interaction of the
author and the reader by using the word “You.” It aims to engage the
reader which is normally present in instructional books. And the 3rd
person which is the narrator depending on he is seeing at any given
point of the story. It can be narrated by the author or even one or two
characters of the story or text being read.
5. Theme is probably one of the first things a reader asks about, like “What is
the story about? Or it talks about what?” These questions are very important
to be answered as this draws the reader toward a story or text. The theme
basically guides the author in his track on the way to achieving the fullness
of his/her idea. Themes can be about love, destiny, war and freedom. The
story of Barry and Iris could be placed in the central theme of “Love” but can
also be describe in the context of “Friendship.” Whichever you choose, it is
important to be able to defend your opinion and thoughts on the matter.
Once you get the hang of identifying the elements, you can now use them as
your guide in analyzing every text or story you get your hands with. Just bear in
mind that there are no wrong or right answer on how you perceive or analyze a story
or text. What does matter is your ability to defend this analysis and to back it up
with examples or correlation to the text being read.
Source: Literary Terms. Retrieved December 3, 2020. https://literaryterms.net/plot
Let Us Study
Have you read the story of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark
Twain”? I am sure you did! But if not, let us read the text and let us analyze it using
a reader-based approach method.
Here is a sample of a text analysis using a reader-based approach.
Then Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
By Mark Twain
Analysis
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a story written by Mark Twain in 1884
that tells the story of a young lad who goes on an adventure of a lifetime, along with
the people he interacted and met in his journey. It details his life, his struggles and
how he overcame each.
The whole living with a strict aunt plot and having a drunkard father shows a
very dark element for a story that tackles about a young teen, this is not something
I would initially encouraged to be a reading material for a 12 or 13 years old, although
our main protagonist is around that age. Also, I was taken aback when Huck, Tom
Sawyer and their friends talked about creating a gang, since the word “gang” has a
negative connotation adding that they were scheming to hurt or rob others really
bothered my thought process. Especially when the gang talked about giving up
someone they value, to just be killed off. To think this book has the word “adventure,”
one might just associate this to a child’s play or a cool, amazing, wholesome journey
but even at the onset it can be thought-provoking and bothersome. So, it came as a
relief when whatever they were hatching was just something more of a playful role
playing but never really got acted upon.
When it got to the part where Huck got kidnapped, away from Tom, his aunt
and friends; and having to endure his father’s abusive ways, it hit me hard because
as a young child it was normal for my father to inject corporal punishment and I
never really understood it and so I can relate with Huck’s dilemma. From having to
live with restriction under his aunt and now being kidnapped and abused by his own
father really solidified Huck’s desire to be on his own and seek freedom. This part
was well written, the sequencing and flow allows the reader to extricate the start of
Huck’s personal quest to freedom.
As Huck escaped and met Jim, it opens a wider topic which is very sensitive
even to this day, which is slavery. In the Philippine context, this is not something
we’re exposed to or have a first-hand experience and so it may not be as relatable for
us compared to an American reader. The current situation in the US, with the Black
Lives Matter movement and the George Floyd incident had caused the re-emergence
of the pain and suffering of the past. And so, for the author to find a way to take this
part in a lighter and seemingly funny setting somehow adds to the reader’s desire to
root for Finn and Jim regardless of one’s nationality and skin color. At the same time,
it allows the reader to ponder on the kind of suffering Jim had to go through which
caused him to seek out his own freedom. Slavery in America is deeply ingrained, and
the discrimination of the African American is something that has never really found
resolution to this very day. Although, for Jim; his was a desirable ending.
The book is an exciting read, you can’t help but be amazed and root for the
two main protagonists; it was especially fun when Huck finally teams up with Tom.
With all the mixed-up, confusion and the way they handled the rescue of Jim, this
was one crazy adventure.
Characterization:
As for the characterization, let me focus on the main protagonists and just one
antagonist.
Huckleberry Finn: He is described as a happy-go-lucky lad; he has a penchant for
trouble and his ways creates this notion of being a rebellious teen. He is the main
protagonist and the initial description of Huck does not completely reveal the extent
of this young man’s life and character. So, as the story progresses, the reader gets
involved in the creation and building of Huck’s image especially the part where Jim
and Huck met while in hiding. Jim wasn’t scared that Huck would give him up, he
was instead scared that Huck could have been a ghost. Meaning, Jim somehow knew
that although Huck is a known rebel and misfit; Huck would help him and do the
right thing by him.
This concept of doing the right thing can be refuted, since Huck helping Jim does
not necessarily fall on the concept of “being the right thing.” At that time, owning
slaves was the norm and if a slave escapes, to recapture them was considered the
right thing to do. So, for Huck to let Jim enjoy his freedom is still a form of rebellion
against a society that proliferated discrimination and racial bias. This form of
rebellion keeps Huckleberry Finn true to his character.
Jim: One of the protagonists of our story, he is described as an adult black slave
who fled from his owner. He can be perceived as somewhat of a father figure and a
friend; his bravery does not shine through the story, but it is present through the
actions he has taken. As an escapee, he was risking his life and he also protected
Huck from the pain of seeing his father dead.
Tom Sawyer: Huckleberry Finn’s friend who was also a misfit, what he considers as
fun could be perceived as dangerous for others. His sense of fun is motivated by
drama, role playing and his imagination at the expense of others. Same as Huck, he
also opted to help Jim; showing the side of him that went against the societal norms;
but unlike Huck, Tom spiced up their planned escape which backfired against them.
Pap Finn: Huck’s father who is homeless and a drunkard managed to kidnap and
hurt Huck. His impact on Huck is evident on the young lad’s desire to find freedom.
Although we do not fully know the beginning of his drunkenness and brutality, it is
safe to assume that Huck will be better off without his father.
Setting:
Set in 1884, a period in American History where slavery is an accepted practice and
most Americans especially ranch owners owned a slave that would work in the farm
with minimal pay. Being black was hard, but the hardest part is realizing that there
was no way out of it. As the new generation of black kids were born so too is the
economic hold of the ranch owners to keep every member enslave.
Point of View:
The book was narrated in the First-Person; which was helpful in digging the
character development of the main protagonist. I don’t normally enjoy this type of
narration using the first person; but The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is an
exception.
Theme:
The central theme of the book is “freedom,” as the author stated that both Finn and
the character Jim were on a mission looking for their own kind of freedom.
Were you able to analyze how the story was analyzed using the reader-response
approach?
Let Us Practice
Read the poem of “Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe” and answer the questions that
follow.
Annabel Lee
By: Edgar Allan Poe
It was many and many a year ago,
In a kingdom by the sea,
That a maiden there lived whom you may know
By the name of Annabel Lee;
And this maiden she lived with no other thought
Than to love and be loved by me.
I was a child and she was a child,
In this kingdom by the sea,
But we loved with a love that was more than love—
I and my Annabel Lee—
With a love that the wingèd seraphs of Heaven
Coveted her and me.
And this was the reason that, long ago,
In this kingdom by the sea,
A wind blew out of a cloud, chilling
My beautiful Annabel Lee;
So that her highborn kinsmen came
And bore her away from me,
To shut her up in a sepulcher
In this kingdom by the sea.
The angels, not half so happy in Heaven,
Went envying her and me—
Yes!—that was the reason (as all men know,
In this kingdom by the sea)
That the wind came out of the cloud by night,
Chilling and killing my Annabel Lee.
But our love it was stronger by far than the love
Of those who were older than we—
Of many far wiser than we—
And neither the angels in Heaven above
Nor the demons down under the sea
Can ever dissever my soul from the soul
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
For the moon never beams, without bringing me dreams
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And the stars never rise, but I feel the bright eyes
Of the beautiful Annabel Lee;
And so, all the night-tide, I lie down by the side
Of my darling—my darling—my life and my bride,
In her sepulcher there by the sea—
In her tomb by the sounding sea.
Source: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/44885/annabel-lee
Comprehension Questions:
1. Who is the speaker of the poem?
a. Annabel lee
c. kinsmen
b. author
d. maiden
2. Where does the poem take place?
a. by the sea
c. under the sea
b. by the sounding sea
d. kingdom by the sea
3. What is the point of view of the poem?
a. First person
c. Third Person
b. Second Person
d. Fourth Person
4. What is the theme of the poem?
a. revenge
c. love
b. freedom
d. bravery
5. What is the tone of the poem?
a. anguish
c. devoted
b. disappointment
d. suffering
6. Who were jealous of their love?
a. maiden
c. gods
b. kinsmen
d. angels
7. What was sent to kill Annabel Lee?
a. wind
c. squall
b. storm
d. rain
6. How does the speaker describe his love for Annabel Lee?
a. Annabel Lee longs to be loved.
b. Both shared with a love that was more than love.
c. He loves Annabel Lee because of her beauty.
d. All of the Above
7. What is a sepulcher?
a. jail
c. woodland
b. tomb
d. beach
8.
What does the speaker do each night?
a. He sobs every night.
b. He walks under the sea.
c. He lays by her tomb.
d. He fights the kinsmen.
Let Us Practice More
Activity 3:
Read the summary of the story “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott and answer
the questions that follow.
Little Women
By: Louisa May Alcott
Summary
The March family, headed by a father who is serving as a chaplain in the American
Civil War and a mother who is fondly called by their four daughters as Marmee, is
celebrating their first Christmas without the man of the house as he has been
destined far from home. The March girls—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—who lament
about their poverty and being away from their father, thought of buying themselves
presents in time for Christmas to somehow feel better. Each of them has a dollar to
spend every Christmas but they are reminded to refrain from spending for pleasure
only so they have decided to prepare something instead for their mother.
In the morning of Christmas, Mrs.
March asks her daughters to give
their breakfast instead to Mrs.
Hummel and her six children, a poor
family who lives nearby. The girls
obliged and even helped tend to Mrs.
Hummel’s kids while they visited the
house. Mr. Laurence, an elderly rich
man who lives with his grandson,
Laurie, in the same neighborhood as
the March’s family, must have taken
notice of the family’s generosity as he
sent goodies in the evening of that
day for girl’s Christmas dinner. That’s
how the two families started to get
acquainted.
Laurie got closer to the family as he meets Jo and Meg in a New Year’s party, even
escorting them on their way home because Meg sprained her ankle while dancing.
Of the four, however, he is closest to Jo. Later on, the girls got to meet Mr. Laurence
himself and Beth turned out to be his favorite as he gave her a piano.
The four girls differ in personalities and interests. Meg, who is characterized by being
traditional, works as a tutor. Jo, who loves writing, assists her wealthy great aunt
who is a widow and living alone in a mansion. Beth, who is often shy, stays at home
and helps with household chores. Amy, an artist and a lover of the elegant society,
goes to school.
As the days go on, their personal lives become more interesting with Jo finally trying
to get her novel published, and Meg found herself to be in love with John Brooke,
Laurie’s tutor. One day, Mrs. March had to leave for Washington to tend to Mr. March
who got very ill with pneumonia. Mr. Laurence asked John Brooke to accompany
Mrs. March to which he agreed. That is how he got the chance to confess to them his
love for their daughter, Meg.
Beth, who continued to spend time with the Hummel family, contracted a disease
called scarlet fever. This is the same disease that led to the death of the three
Hummel children. Beth’s condition got even worse so they called for Mrs. March to
be home as soon as possible. Although Beth was able to recover, she remained weak
and lacking in vigor.
After three years, Meg and John got married and became parents to twins. Amy goes
on a European tour with her aunt. Beth continues to weaken. Laurie finally
graduates from college with Jo’s motivation. Jo found out later that Laurie is in love
with her—a feeling she could not reciprocate. She went away hoping to distance
herself from Laurie. She went to New York and met Professor Bhaer who calls her
out for writing romance stories thinking it was beneath her.
Jo’s rejection led Laurie to travel to Europe with his grandfather where he saw Amy
once again. They spend a lot of time together until they have both realized they are
falling for each other. As their love blossoms, Beth’s health deteriorates. Jo devotes
her time in taking care of her until she died. Hearing the news of Beth's death, the
March family gathers. Laurie and Amy got married before going home.
Professor Bhaer, to the surprise of the March family, especially Jo, came to visit. Oh
his last day of visit, he proposed to Jo. Jo accepted the proposal and the two got
engaged. When Aunt March died, she left her large estate to Jo so when Jo got
married to Bhaer, they turned the estate into a school for boys. Jo and Bhaer have
two sons while Amy and Laurie have a daughter.
In her 60th birthday, Marmee celebrates at the estate with her husband, her three
daughters and their husbands; plus, her five grandchildren.
Comprehension Questions:
1. Who are the major characters of the “Little Women”?
a. Marmee, Laurie, Jo, Amy
b. Mr. Brooke, Meg, Beth, Laurie
c. Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy
d. Meg, Jo, Amy, Frederick
2. Which character best relates to the author?
a. Meg
b. Marmee
c. Amy
d. Jo
3. Which character travelled to Europe and pursued painting?
a. Meg
b. Aunt March
c. Amy
d. Beth
4. In the early part of the story, to whom did Laurie profess his love to?
a. Jo
b. Amy
c. Meg
d. Beth
5. Among the four sisters, who is described as the responsible one and kind but
has weakness toward luxury and leisure?
a. Jo
b. Amy
c. Meg
d. Beth
6. Who is described as the moral role model of the four sisters?
a. Hannah
b. Aunt March
c. Marmee
d. Annie Moffat
7. Who brought the family so much food for Christmas dinner?
a. Laurie
b. Mr. Brooke
c. Aunt March
d. Mr. Lawrence
8. What did Beth give to Mr. Lawrence that compelled him to give her a piano?
a. notebook
b. hat
c. slippers
d. cane
9. What is the theme of the story?
a. freedom
b. love
c. patriotism
d. revenge
10. How did Jo initially wanted to end her novel with which her publisher did not
agree to?
a. All the sisters were happily married.
b. One of the main characters will be unmarried.
c. All the characters will die.
d. They will all become rich and successful.
11. Where and when is the setting of the book?
a. Set in 2020, in New England town; in the home of the March family.
b. Set in 1879, in New England town; in the home of the March family.
c. Set in 1860, in New England town; in the home of the March family.
d. Set in 1990, in New England town; in the home of the March family.
12. What is one of the conflicts in the book?
a. Happiness of the March family
b. The economic struggle of the March family.
c. The desire to travel and be successful.
d. All of the above.
13. What genre does the book belong to?
a. drama
b. poetry
c. bildungsroman
d. None of the above
14. Who is the author of “Little Women”?
a. Josephine March
b. Louisa May Alcott
c. Mark Twain
d. Stephen King
15. The book is narrated in whose point of view?
a. First-person
b. Second-person
c. Third-person
d. All of the above
Let Us Assess
Directions: Make an analysis of the story “Little Women” using a reader-based
approach. Use a separate sheet of paper. Minimum of 250 words.
Criteria:
Content
Spelling, Grammar, and Mechanics
Total
-
20pts
10pts
30pts
Analysis
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Let Us Enhance
Activity:
Directions: Read the stanzas of the poems below and analyze its central theme.
The Waste Land
T.S. Eliot
He who was living is now dead
We who were living are now dying
With a little patience
Theme: __________________
Grey the Day
William Faulkner
Gray the day, all the year is cold,
Across the empty land the swallow’s cry
Marks the southflown spring.Naught is bowled
Save winter, in the sky.
Theme: __________________________
O Captain! My Captain!
Walt Whitman
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead …
Theme: __________________________
Source:https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47311/the-waste-land;Grey the Day,
Captain, My Captain
Let Us Enhance
1. Brokenness
2. Acceptance of
death
3. Death of Abraham
Lincoln
Let Us Practice More
1. C
2. D
3. C
4. A
5. C
6. C
7. D
8. C
9. B
10. B
11. C
12. B
13. C
14. B
15. C
Let Us Try
1. C
2.C
3.B
4.C
5.C
6. B
7. A
8. B
9. C
10.C
11.D
12.C
13.A
14.B
15.B
1. B
2. C
3. A
4. C
5. C
6. D
7. A
8. B
9. B
10. C
1. C
2. C
3. A
4. A
5. A
6. A
7. A
8. D
9. A
10. A
11. B
12. B
13. C
14. D
15. A
Let Us Practice
Let Us Remember
Answer Key
Let us Assess (Possible Answer)
LITTLE WOMEN
Louisa May Alcott
Little Women was written by American author Louisa May Alcott in 1868 and 1869, it tells the story of the March sisters;
Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy. The story delves into their lives, their journey from childhood, to the “so called little womanhood”
and to womanhood.
The story starts off with the four sisters talking about Christmas and the current state of their family being poor and
wanting to have more. As this progresses, it is also notable how the author carefully used words that would describe the
characters desire for material things but eventually rewired to focus on the sister’s desire to give the best gift for their
mother. This part also shows the sisters’ admiration, respect and love for their mother Marmee; as she is fondly called.
Even at the early part of this story, a reader can already recognize the startling difference between the four sisters
starting from their character, attitude and outlook but the common ground between them all is their love for each other
and of their mother.
As Christmas approached, and with the sister’s age-range, one does need a deep analysis on what these young women
expected during the season; which would be gifts and a great bounty to be enjoyed by every member of the family.
Instead of enjoying a bounty for themselves, Marmee challenged and requested her daughters to make a sacrifice and
help their struggling neighbor. The challenged was accepted and instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they were
happier to see the smiling faces of the family they helped. This emphasis on charity and sacrifice does not only show the
sisters’ moral foundation but of their mother’s as well. So, one can’t help but be pleased when they themselves received
a festive gift from their wealthy neighbor.
The next part of the story shows the interaction of society and the people toward the sisters, and as each character
interacts with the four main protagonists, the evolution of the four sisters becomes evident. As Meg tries to find herself,
she also longed for acceptance and belongingness; to the extent that she was willing to acclimate at the expense of losing
herself. Jo now starts to acquaint with Laurie, the young boy who lived next door; and through this friendship she was
able to explore her own capacity as an individual and as a writer. She can be hot-tempered, but she helps in whatever
way she can to financially support the family. Beth, exuded with compassion that is the envy of all; her capacity to give
more of what is being asked was shown in her desire to continue serving the Hummel’s. Last but not the least, Amy; the
youngest radiates with elegance and poise was also stubborn and self-absorbed. Her love for painting brought her to
Paris as she accompanied their rich aunt March.
The story’s progression was a bit slow for me especially in parts where the plays or stories Jo wrote had to be re-told or
acted on. Although I found the book engaging and part of the beauty of this story is that whenever the sisters encounter
a life-changing event they always seek Marmee for counsel. Through her guidance Meg was able to accept her loveliness
with her flaws and realized the importance of being herself instead of trying to be someone she was not. After a
misunderstanding with Amy, Jo opted to ignore her sister but eventually regrets it after Amy fell off the river with thin
ice. As Amy struggled, Laurie took it upon himself to save Amy. This event helped Jo to forgive Amy but had a difficulty
with forgiving herself and so when she opened up about her struggles, Marmee lovingly conferred but also convinced Jo
that being angry was normal, as she herself struggled with it but has learned over the years how to control it with the
help of her husband.
It was a bit hard in reading the part where the sisters started growing up and were finding their own paths, as Meg gets
married; Jo goes after her dream of being a writer, Beth explores her love for music and Amy expands her wings in Paris.
One can say that these young women proved that a woman should not be put in a box or be molded according to
someone else’s perceived notion. Although society had certain standards about women, the March sisters had their own
which was undeniably one of the reasons why this book is worth the read.
Consequently, as the journey continues, the book/story eventually headed to a more predictable direction which begun
when Laurie professed his love for Jo which she declined. This led to a heartbreak demonstrated by the parting of the
two characters which I liked and can be associated with some movies. Because for a love story to work or become
marketable, the two lovers should interact more; so, when Jo and Laurie parted ways it was normal to assume that they
weren’t really going to be lovers. It was obvious from the beginning that Jo was too consumed with providing for her
family that she never saw Laurie as the option to get out of poverty. On the other hand, Amy’s motivation and concept
was to be married off to a rich man who could provide for her and her family. Beth never got the chance to pursue
romantic love as she was too sick to even go out. Meg, at the onset sought to be accepted by her rich friends but
eventually realized that love was more important than any riches that she could imagine.
Thus, as a conclusion, this book allowed us to journey and probe into the different characters of the story. In the latter
portion of the book, as one after another the protagonists achieved their goals, the question is why there is a need for
someone to die off; only to accept the fact that the character’s death caused everything to fall in its place. Personally, I
did not want Beth to die, for this has caused Jo to be broken; and although she lost interest in writing she eventually
decided to honor Beth by continuing to write even in her absence. I did not want Laurie to be broken as well, but this led
him to find love. I did not want Amy to be so self-absorb but this led her to see Laurie’s self-destructive ways which drove
her to help him. I wanted Meg to be rich and successful; but she found happiness with the family she built. There are so
much more to learn, but one only needs to enjoy the journey with the characters to fully grasp this book.
CHARACTERIZATION:
As for the characterization, let me focus on the five main protagonists;
Marmee: The glue that binds the family. She is gentle, loving, patient and self-sacrificing. She is the mother of the four
sisters, who provided guidance and the voice behind each of the girl’s moral compass.
Meg: The eldest and is described to be the most beautiful of the sisters. She exudes with grace and beauty; represents
the concept of normalcy which meant that her choice of having a family was the most common option for a woman in
1860.
Jo: Strong-willed, takes hold of her dreams and fights for it. Represents the odd concept of being a woman; for early on,
marriage was never an option for her. She is driven and she is somebody we can aspire to be.
Beth: A gentle soul with an honest heart, the main concept for Beth’s character is acceptance and love. Although she got
sick, she never blamed the Hummel’s nor was she arrogant.
Amy: Gifted with grandeur, poise and beauty; she typically represents the women’s concept of marrying someone who
could change one’s life. Although at the end, she managed to choose love over wealth.
SETTING:
Set in 1860’s, a period in American History where Civil War boiled up and was endangering the lives of the Americans.
The sister’s father had to be in the frontline, as this was explained as the reason for his absence. This setting was
appropriate as this was also the period where women’s rights were still confined in the four corners of our homes.
POINT OF VIEW:
The book was narrated in the third-person point of view; which is appropriate as it allowed the author to be objective in
the characterization and flow of the story. We are given access to the author’s lenses instead of one of the characters.
THEME:
The central theme of the book focused on love. This was already evident in the early parts of the book when the sisters
were willing to sacrifice anything for their mother. Instead of prematurely accepting Laurie’s offer of love, Jo contends
and opts with just loving Laurie as her friend. Amy’s secret love for Laurie was apparent in the early portion of the story
but Laurie was too focused with Jo that he fails to recognize this. There was Meg’s love for her husband John. Though he
was not rich or famous enough to be considered eligible for marriage, but Meg relented and chose this kind of love
regardless of the life she endured. Another was, Beth’s sacrifice, she knew she was dying but she did not want to be a
burden with the rest of her family especially with Amy. Her love for her sisters was evident as she enjoyed their company
and though she was this quiet, gentle soul; her love for her sisters were reciprocated by them. Each of us wants to achieve
something in life and go after the goals that we assume to be the ones that would complete us. We would meet people
who will love us or disappoint us; but one thing is constant, our families’ love follows us whether we end up as somebody
or just someone from the streets. Our families’ love molded us as to how we become and eventually leads us to use the
same foundation to build our own.
References
Literary Terms. Retrieved December 3, 2020. https://literaryterms.net/plot
For inquiries or feedback, please write or call:
Department of Education – Davao City Division
E. Quirino Avenue, Davao City
Telephone: (082) 227 4762
Email Address: lrms.davaocity@deped.gov.ph