English 1—Honors
Unit: The Good Earth
The Seven Deadly Sins Booklet:
A Creative, Yet, Analytical Project
The Seven Deadly Sins, also known as the Capital Vices, date back to early Christian times, nearly 2,000 years!
They served as a warning to all people of faith, to remind them of the spiritual dangers that surround them: to avoid
eternal damnation, one must avoid the pitfalls of the Seven Deadly Sins. The list of Deadly Sins include: wrath,
greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, and gluttony. It’s no coincidence that The Seven Deadly Sins represent a motif in The
Good Earth; Pearl S. Buck was the daughter of Christian missionaries, after all. Just about every character seems
to have fallen into the “trap” of one of the sins. Your job is to analyze “Who?” and “How?” In order to develop a
deeper understanding of what each of the Seven Deadly Sins entails, you must first research them. What does each
sin mean, and what are the distinct characteristics of each Deadly Sin? Once you have a clearer understanding of
each Deadly Sin, be on the lookout for them as you read The Good Earth. Where does each sin seem to pop up?
Which characters appear guilty of which Deadly Sins? Your task is to create a Seven Deadly Sins Booklet. In it,
you will highlight each Deadly Sin and analyze its impact on the characters and, thereby, the novel.
Directions: Create a booklet of Deadly Sins. There must be one section in the booklet for each of the Deadly
Sins—so a total of seven sections! Your booklet should have an interesting and imaginative cover design with the
project’s title clearly visible. Your MLA heading should also appear somewhere on the front cover. The first page
in your booklet must be a Table of Contents that informs your reader of the page numbers for each section. You
may contribute as many pages as you like to each sin, but make sure all seven sins are accounted for. There is no
particular order as to how you must present the sins. Each section, however, must do the following for each sin:
1. Each section must be titled according to the Deadly Sin.
2. Provide a visuals or symbols representing the Deadly Sin (from magazines, the Internet, or self-generated
drawings. Your call.) The visuals should be deeply meaningful. Be creative!!!
3. Create an imaginative and engaging Biographical Poem introducing each Deadly Sin. Begin with the phrase,
“I am _______.” For example: I am sloth, or I am wrath. Then follow the introductory line with 8-10 lines that
create a personality “profile” for each sin, as if the sin were a living, breathing person. Here’s a sample:
I am Sloth.
Don’t ask me for help.
Don’t ask me to do anything.
I’d rather just lay here and…sleep.
Let kids run amuck! Let chores pile up!
Duties? Obligations? Responsibilities?
I can’t be bothered by any of those!
I’m far too busy...being lazy…
Please don’t disturb me.
I am tired…
4. Identify the Deadly Sin’s minion. A “minion” is a follower, a “favorite,” a darling, a servant, a pet, or an
underling. Each Deadly Sin—being personified—should have a favorite underling somewhere in the novel.
Who is Sloth’s precious darling? Who is Wrath’s obedient little pet? (Please focus on one character per deadly
sin) Provide a “photograph” of the minion with his/her name beneath it. Present specific details from the novel
that shows what the minion does that makes him/her the servant to that Deadly Sin. Cite the following: actions,
words, motivations, thoughts, little details—anything that proves the character is “under the influence” of the
Deadly Sin. Provide as many concrete details as possible to make your point clear and well-supported. [100
words minimum each]
5. Lastly, Analyze why the character has fallen victim to the Deadly Sin. What was it that “enticed” or “lured”
the character towards that specific vice? What void or weakness in the character made him/her a prime
candidate for the Deadly Sin to prey upon? (Please note: One does not simply “fall victim” to a Deadly Sin.
One must consciously open himself up and invite the Deadly Sin in. What is it about the character that makes
him/her so willing to invite the Deadly Sin in? What does the Deadly Sin offer that is so enticing?) Finally,
explain how the Deadly Sin contributes to the character’s eventual downfall and/or self-destruction? [100
words minimum each]
Name _____________________________________________________ Period _____________
Rubric for Grading
THIS MUST BE SUMBITTED WITH COMPLETED PROJECT!!!!
Component
Cover Design,
Heading,
& Table of Contents
(6 points)
Deadly Sin
Biographical Poems
(21 points—3 pts. each)
Identification of
Deadly Sin Minions
(28 points—4 pts. each)
Exemplary
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90 Points Possible
Adequate
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Highly creative & imaginative
Complete & very effective
6-5 points
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Poems are highly imaginative
All poems are engaging, thoughtprovoking, and vividly developed
All poems meet guidelines
21-19 points
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Booklet explores a wide range of
characters, both major and minor
Choice of minions is always on
target and reflects a mature level
of scrutiny and understanding
Sufficient amount of details from
the novel.
Specific and relevant concrete
details are used as evidence
Clear connections are made
between character and sin
28-25 points
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Degree and Depth of
Analysis
(35 points—5 pts. each)
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A substantial amount of analysis
is offered.
Analysis is mature, insightful, and
clearly expressed.
Sound arguments for why each
character falls prey to respective
sins are established.
Analysis of the repercussions of
sin on each character is on target,
astute, and perceptive
35-31 points
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Total Points Possible:
90
Your Score:
_________
Overall Grade:
_________
Simple cover design that shows an
element of creativity
Complete & effective
4-3 points
Poems are imaginative
Most poems are engaging, thoughtprovoking and vivid.
All poems meet guidelines
18-15 points
A slightly more limited range of
characters are explored
Choice of minions is on target most
of the time
Reflects an adequate level of
scrutiny
Adequate amount of concrete
details from novel.
Most concrete details are relevant
and appropriate
Some connections are vague,
unclear, underdeveloped, or
confused
24-21 points
An adequate amount of analysis is
offered
Analysis is mostly adequate, but not
as deep, insightful, or mature as an
exemplary project.
Arguments for why each character
falls prey to respective sin are
offered but sometimes tenuously
presented
Adequate analysis of the
repercussions of sin on each
character is offered
30-28 points
Comments:
Inadequate
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Cover design lacks any evidence of
creativity
Incomplete or ineffective
2-0 points
Too many poems lack imagination
Too many poems are poorly written
Visible lack of effort
Some poems fail to meet guidelines
14-0 points
Focuses only on a small handful of
characters.
Inadequate level of scrutiny.
Choice of minions is illogical or
reflects a lack of scrutiny
Character’s connection to the sin is
oftentimes unclear or confused
Inadequate amount of concrete
details offered for each minion
Just summarizes. No specifics
Some details are inaccurate or
unnecessary
Lack of effort is clearly visible
20 – 0 points
Analysis is insufficient, superficial,
statement of fact or merely plot
summary.
Arguments for why each character
falls prey to respective sins are
inaccurate, unclear, confused, or
illogical.
Discussion of the consequences of
sin is provided but in such an
insufficient or superficial manner
27-0 points