THE RIVER PROJECT: Siddhartha
Step 1: Pick any passage from the novel that relates to the theme of THE RIVER, and engage in a close reading of the passage.
Step 2: Analyze it thoroughly by asking yourself the following questions and answering them in your journals:
What does this passage mean?
What does the river symbolize in this section of the book?
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How does the river’s meaning in this passage directly connect to the themes and concepts in the rest of the novel?
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What’s going on during this section of the book and how does the river help to explain that?
What literary devices, structure, diction, and conventions does Hesse use in this passage and how do they affect meaning?
Step 3: Create a visual representation of your analysis. Through an artistic expression of your choice, you will display your answers to the above questions. Some ways to do this are…
Poetry
Artwork
Illustration
Scrapbook
Photography
Collage
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Children’s book
Video
Other (check with me on other ideas!)
Step 4: Write your Rationale/Explanation. To accompany your visual representation, you will write a correlating piece that explains your artistic expression. This written piece will convey your analysis of the river passage and the literary devices, structure, diction, and conventions that Hesse uses (basically, a final draft of what you have written in your journals, answering the questions above). You will also write about your project and how it connects with that passage. Additionally, please discuss how and why you chose the project that you did. This should be typed and double-spaced.
Step 5: Present your oral component. You will present your project to the rest of the class on Friday, February 14th. This will be a short presentation where you either read your poetry or explain your piece of art, or talk about whatever your project may be.
Assessment: The artistic expression part of this exhibition must prove that you have answered the analysis questions in Step 2. Your written component should also display how your artistic expression answers the analysis questions in Step 2. The oral component will explain your entire project, focusing on your visual and its analysis.
Be creative & analytical!

River Project Rubric: Siddhartha Name_____________________
Artistic Expression
Does the visual representation depict a clear and in-depth analysis of the quote/passage?
4 3 2 1
4
0
Does the visual representation clearly demonstrate what the river symbolizes and its importance?
3 2 1 0
Does the visual representation clearly demonstrate connections to themes and other concepts in the book?
4 3 2 1 0
Does the visual representation demonstrate literary devices, structure, diction, and conventions that are used?
4 3 2 1 0
Rationale/Explanation
Does the written component clearly convey the connections between the visual and the chosen passage?
4 3 2 1 0
Does the written component clearly convey the literary devices, structure, diction and conventions used in the passage and represented in the artistic expression?
4 3 2 1
Does the written component clearly explain the artistic expression?
4 3 2 1
0
0
Is the written component formal and sophisticated?
4 3 2 1 0
Oral Component
Does the oral component explain the quote and the artistic expression and how the two connect?
4 3 2 1 0
Does the oral component share the artistic expression and explain the analysis?
4 3 2 1 0