WORD- guess written in blue, actual definition in green

Transcription

1 WITNESS KAREN HESSE COPYRIGHT 2001 GENRE: HISTORICAL FICTION SETTING: VERMONT 1924 WEBQUEST ADDRESS: VOCABULARY LIST: WORD- guess written in blue, actual definition in green

2 FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE: WRITE IN RED QUESTIONS AS YOU READ: WRITE IN ORANGE QUESTIONS/JOURNAL ENTRIES: USE PENCIL ENTER EVERYTHING INTO YOUR READING LOG AS YOU READ THE BOOK. THE COLORS WILL IDENTIFY EACH ITEM AS I READ/CHECK THE LOGS.

3 WITNESS #1: PREREADING Karen Hesse, the author, uses actual photographs to identify the eleven characters in the book. How does this make the story seem more real, and what do you think the connection is to the use of the word witness for the title? Before reading the book, place each of the eleven characters on either the pro-kkk side of the chart or the con-kkk side. Pro-KKK Anti-KKK

4 WITNESS, ACT ONE p W#2: Describe the 1920 s culture and way of life. Make sure to comment on the role of women, prohibition and its affects, and what was going on in the world during this time period when the book takes place. Paragraph form, spelling, etc, all count. p. 4 witchy girl, fuming eyes, stink of leanora sutter, the soot of her out of my eyes p. 8 Summarize what happened to Leanora s mother p. 9 What did Esther witness? p. 10 V: klandragons- p. 12 Why is this event important? From your own experiences, what other book/character/situation does this compare? p. 14 V: lynched- p. 17 Esther/bullet/Senator Greene-explain why Karen Hesse might have included this section in Witness W#3: p. 18 Why shouldn t they? p. 19 V: customs officer-

5 p. 21 What does this passage show about Johnny Reeves? (be sure to refer back to page 9) p. 22 the opening of roses kept bud-tight so many years Explain this metaphor from Fitzgerald Flitt, the doctor p. 26 V: neutral- W#4: Do you think Reynard Alexander should be neutral as the editor of the newspaper? Could you be neutral? p. 27 being buried in all this whiteness p. 28 What happens? Why do you think Hesse gives this information and why does she give it through the character of Iris Weaver? Describe in a few words and short phrases your general impressions, so far, of these characters: Leanora Sutter: Merlin VanTornhout: Esther Hirsh: Percelle Johnson: Sara Chickering: Johnny Reeves: Harvey & Viola Pettibone:

6 WITNESS, ACT TWO p W#5: Why would Leanora be concerned about this? Do you think she now feels more of less secure? p. 35 What is the significance/importance of this crime being brought into Witness? p. 37 V: spectacles **Read the Leopold and Leob article** p. 40 This is the first place Leanora is given something about her race that is positive. Explain where/who/why she now has this pride. p. 42 train to heaven p. 47 typewriter incident p. 49 What did Merlin do? I should know. Explain this quote from Iris. p Explain the cross burning and how these characters have such different perspectives p. 58 reference to Catholics p. 59 explain the last paragraph p. 61 Explain the rock incident and Sara s reaction

7 WITNESS, ACT THREE p Pages p. 67/68 Explain the different perspectives of the hearse V: hearse- Vigilant (p. 69)- Pinnacle (p. 70)- p. 71 Wow! This event has a domino affect on many characters. Explain what happens. p. 79 Is Reynard still neutral? p. 80 Who is John Philip Sousa? W#6: p. 82 Sketch this scene in your reading log. W#7: p. 84 Think about this courtroom scene. Tie the behavior of Leopold and Loeb to the behavior of members of the kkk. In your opinion, do people tend to act differently as individuals than they do as a group? Compare the power and arrogance of people as individuals to the power and arrogance held by a group. Use examples from the book (Merlin, Harvey, Iris) and perhaps your own life to back up your opinion. **Mississippi Burning-good movie to watch**

8 Pages p. 85 comment on the circus W#8: p. 87 Are there two sides to Merlin? Think about Merlin as a klan member versus Merlin as a kid on his own. Where do you think his trust and loyalty come into play here? p. 90 enlightened humanity p. 95 Is the sheriff still neutral? V: nightriders (p. 95)- Synagogue (p.96)- What has been learned about Constable Percelle Johnson? -against flapper movement -leaning against the klan now because of: Polish man murdered Merlin s carjacking Note to Mr. Sutter What have we learned has affected Merlin VanTornhout? -set of keys to the newspaper -saw Leanora save Esther from the train -carjacking

9 NOW where would you place the following characters on the chart below? Sara Chickering Harvey Pettibone Merlin VanTornhout Fitzgerald Flitt Johnny Reeves Iris Weaver The Hirshes Reynard Alexander Percelle Johnson Viola Pettibone Leanora and her father Reynard Alexander PRO-KKK NEUTRAL ANTI-KKK

10 WITNESS, ACT FOUR p p. 100 Leanora s relationship with Mr. Field p. 103 neutral? p. 107 What is the connection between Jerry and the klan? p. 113 Does even the kkk have morals? Does page 9 mean more now? p. 115 explain stained a pure Christian woman PREDICT: What will Merlin do? p. 116 PREDICT: What will Johnny Reeves do? p. 119 Who do you think did this? p. 120 Why can t Harvey? What is Harvey referring to with sent a boy to do a man s job? p. 121 Was the well poisoned? p. 125 Neutral? p. 127 What do you think? Does this sound like Merlin? p. 128 Explain why Viola did this and if you think Harvey will argue with her decision.

11 WITNESS, ACT FIVE p p. 131 What did Leanora witness? p. 133 What did Esther witness? Make a prediction. p. 135 Where do you think Merlin is now? p. 136 Whose baby could this be? p. 137 Do you agree or disagree with this? Why? p. 139 What does this tell about Merlin? W#9: p. 141 Summarize the character of Johnny Reeves p. 146 Summarize Leanora s relationship with Mr. Field p. 148 Is he dead or alive? Give a reason! p. 151 So, Leanora saves Merlin. Will this change Merlin? p. 156 explain company p. 159 Make a comparison of the buck and its behavior to Merlin and his character s development throughout this book W#10: What is your reaction to this final page and the book overall?