RIP VAN WINKLE
& ENCHANTED SLEEP
American Literature
Monday, January 5, 2015
GRAB A CHROMEBOOK & A TEXTBOOK.
CREATE A NEW GOOGLE DOC TITLED "RIP VAN WINKLE
RESPONSES & ENCHANTED SLUMBER"
QUESTIONS ON RIP VAN WINKLE
1. What stereotypes show up in this story? Explain what they are and where we see
them.
2. What is different about this story from today's action-packed ones? Explain why
you think this might be.
3. What is the purpose of this story?
4. What about this story makes it "satirical"? Explain why this is the case.
5. What thematic topics do you see arise in this story?
6. Write out a thematic statement for Rip Van Winkle (remember our "recipe"-thematic statement = thematic topic + universal truth/author's message).
RE-READ THE "ENCHANTED SLUMBER"
EXCERPT IN THE TEXTBOOK ON PAGE 162.
ENCHANTED SLUMBER
ENCHANTED SLUMBER
Go to my website...Read the PDF on Sleep and Dreams in Literature.
1. What is a motif? Write the definition--look up an extended definition if necessary.
2. What is the "Enchanted Slumber" motif?
3. What other stories deal with "Enchanted Slumber" motifs? List the ones you know
off the top of your head.
4. What might the purpose be of an "Enchanted Slumber" motif? What point are
authors trying to make when they use it?
YOUR JOB
Click the link for Enchanted Slumber stories. Pick two of the stories listed and read
them (they are actually just short synopses of each--not full text).
On the same Google Doc you just created, take notes for each story, including the
present themes and main ideas.
In addition, answer the following questions: How do they use Enchanted Slumber?
Why do they use it? What is the purpose of each story?
This full document will all questions answered (and chosen stories read) is due by
noon on Tuesday, January 6, 2015.
Be prepared to do some synthesis work with these two stories, "Rip Van Winkle,“ and
the Enchanted Slumber motif.