Canterbury Tales Re-Mix
Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales is about a group of 14th century pilgrims
from all walks of life who travel together for several days on their way to a
shrine in Canterbury. They entertain each other on this journey by telling stories.
The person who tells the most entertaining story wins dinner at the local tavern,
courtesy of the other story-telling pilgrims
Your task for this project is to create (as a class) a contemporary version of The
Canterbury Tales. This means thinking of a fictional scenario in which a group of
diverse people find themselves traveling together for several days toward a
common destination. It also means deciding on a theme for the competitive
story-telling element, and creating your own character and rhyming story. As in
the original contest, whoever tells the most entertaining story wins dinner.
You all did a fantastic job last week collaborating on this project and deciding on
the basic framework.
Here is what we figured out so far according to my notes:
We can edit these if we need to…
Destination: Chuck and Cindy’s wedding, San Diego, California.
Mode of transport: A Greyhound bus departing Durham “The Bull City”, NC
Narrator: The bus driver (Hank)
Story-telling Theme: Each person on the bus will be giving a toast at the
reception. These toasts will serve as our “stories”. They will, 1) explain how your
character knows either the bride or groom, and 2) be written in rhyme (like the
original tales). They should also aim to be clever and entertaining, as those are
among the criteria the judges will use to determine who wins the free dinner.
**Please see notes on appropriate content.
Additional Project Details:
1. We decided we will dress in character on the judging day. How well your
costume captures the personality of your character will be one of the
judging categories as well as a grading component.
2. We will read our toasts aloud to a small audience on Thursday March 9.
The judges, of course, will be in the audience. Whether other students will
be welcome to attend will be up to you. As a class, we will decide on the
best venue for the toasts. The library, ISP room, the stage, or room 701
are all options.
3. Each of us will choose one judge for the panel. The judges need to be
Good Hope teachers, and should be familiar with the original Canterbury
Tales. The judges will receive typed anonymous copies of each toast
ahead of time, and will attend the live performance on the 9th.
4. In case of a tie, the winner will be decided by a rap battle between
characters. (I’m only half serious about this one, but as a group, we
should think about how to handle a tie.)
5. You each agreed to put $5 toward the winner’s dinner. You can all discuss
whether you think this is fair. I agreed to match whatever amount you put
in. Once we make this decision, we will vote on the restaurant for the gift
certificate.
Points, Due Dates, etc:
Nominate Judges: Today (date here)
Decide on the final performance day: Today
Confirm Judges: (date here)
Rough Draft of Toast: due (date here) (15 pts)
Final Draft of Toast: due (date here) (50 pts)
Dress Rehearsal: (date here) (10 points)
Performance: Thursday (date here)
Total Points for Project: 75
Judging and Grading Criteria:
Creation of a Vivid and Interesting Character: 5
Rhyme, Rhythm, Meter: 5
Explanation of Relationship to Bride/Groom: 5
Format (for basic toast—see attached): 5
Grammar, Mechanics, etc.: 5
Costume: 5
Performance, Delivery: 5
Student Choice Category: 5
Judges’ Average Score: 5
Total Points for Final Draft: 50
Notes on Taste and Decorum:
While humor, wit, and social satire are encouraged in this project, it is important
to respect the boundaries of appropriate and tasteful content. We want to
entertain our audience, not offend them. Good social satire is delicate: we want
to illuminate the quirks and flaws of our characters, but we also want to avoid
stereotyping or culturally insensitive humor.
inappropriate:
1. excessive alcohol references
2. drug references
3. sexual references
4. swearing
5. any comments that are derogatory or could be offensive to members of racial,
cultural, religious, sexual orientation, or gender groups.
*** If you are having a hard time determining whether something is appropriate, ask
yourself whether you would say it in front of your grandmother.
Tips for writing a wedding toast
Adapted from http://weddings.about.com/od/theweddingparty/a/toastwriting.htm
Before You Begin
Start off by writing down thoughts freely about the bride and groom and your
relationship to them.
1. How do you know them?
2. Why did they choose you to make this toast?
3. How would you describe each of them? What are the first five adjectives
that come to mind?
4. What was the groom like before he met the bride? How has he changed
knowing her? (Reverse this, obviously, if you are acquainted with the
bride)
5. How did they meet? How did the groom tell you about her? (Or how did
the bride tell you about him?)
6. If you are married, you may wish to think about marriage advice you've
received or have learned.
7. Are there any particularly amusing anecdotes that illustrate who the bride
and/or groom is?
Beginning
Start off by introducing yourself, as not everyone in the room will know who you
are.
You might say "Excuse me everyone, if I could have your attention for a
moment. I'd like to take a few moments to say a few words about our bride and
groom. I'm_______, _______'s longtime good friend (or brother, cousin, etc.)"
*This might also be an opportunity for you to say something about your 48-hour
bus ride.
Middle
Tell a funny story about the bride and/or groom, give your thoughts on love and
marriage, tell the story of how they met, or talk about how you've seen them
change through their relationship. Give interesting details. At all costs, avoid exgirlfriend/boyfriend stories and keep it rated PG for kids and grandmothers in the
room.
Closing
It's often good to wrap up your toast with a wish, traditional toast, or blessing
for the bride and groom. Raise your glass with a resounding congratulations,
cheers, l'chaim or salud, and don't forget to drink to your own toast.