AP Literature Museum Field Trip “To-Think” List
Explore Curricular Connections! Learn or discuss something that we can connect to our study of…
Oedipus Rex: If it’s open for display, check out this year’s student display on the third floor. This exhibit, “Darkness
Illuminated” is the work of college interns from UW-Milwaukee who get to collaborate with the museum through a
special program. We explored the idea of both literal and figurative blindness in Oedipus Rex, which corresponds nicely
with the ideas the exhibit explores: the natural human fear of darkness, but also how darkness can inspire creativity and
innovation. Just as Oedipus needed to become blind to see the reality of his situation, perhaps there’s something
physiologically universal about the transcendent power of darkness and limited vision? Discuss.
Dante’s Inferno: Reading this epic poem gave us a window into a 14th Century, Catholic, European view of the afterlife.
This prompted some intriguing discussion and thought about how fiction responds to cultural and spiritual beliefs. What
other afterlife-related beliefs from other parts of the world can you observe at the museum? (You can always start with
the mummy of Djed Hor in “People of the Veil.”) How can we compare these to the vision put forth in Inferno?
The Awakening: Read the museum through a feminist lens. Do you think the museum as a whole portrays women
throughout history in a fair, equal way? Is there anything that might encourage or discourage visitor interest and
engagement based on gender? Defend your answer.
A Tale of Two Cities: Walk through the “Old European Village.” These buildings and artifacts represent the world in
which Dickens first launched his famous novel. When that book came out, these streets would have been modern. See if
you can find the English and French houses and imagine someone sitting down in them to read the sensational,
suspenseful magazine series installments of ATOTC. (P.s. While you’re here, bop over to the candy shop in “The Streets
of Old Milwaukee” to get super cheap, delicious old world sweets!)
Brave New World: As we know, Aldous Huxley’s family was deeply involved in the emerging science of genetics (and the
unfortunately related “science” of eugenics). Check out the large species web and surrounding taxonomy displays in
“Exploring Life on Earth,” which show a lot about the human need to classify nature. But when does classification turn to
control? How do we differentiate between science that fascinates and science that crosses ethical boundaries?
Native Son: Read the museum through an antiracist lens. Do you think the museum as a whole depicts non-white people
(past, present, far, and local) in a way that shows racial awareness? Are there instances of colorblindness or white
privilege manifested? Do any parts of the museum seem to be set up in ways that could encourage or discourage people
of color to enjoy their visit?
Ceremony: Take a stroll through “A Tribute to Survival” to learn about some different tribal cultures of Native America.
How does experiencing this enrich your interpretation of Ceremony? Notice the blend of modern and traditional aspects
of the pow-wow ceremony in the center of the exhibit… As a text in and of itself, what does the exhibit in its entirety say
about the relationship between America and its native cultures? Also consider some of our own connections to our
natural surroundings in “Wisconsin Woodlands.”
Have a great time! P.s. Don’t forget your Google Voice safety number!