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Holes - context lessons x 4
The document provides a detailed outline for understanding the context of the novel 'Holes' by Louis Sachar, focusing on various literary elements, character development, and historical context, particularly around themes of racism and justice. It includes tasks for students, such as exploring the author’s intentions, analyzing flashbacks, and discussing the juvenile justice system as it applies to the narrative. Additionally, resources like interviews and videos with the author are suggested to enhance comprehension of the text and its deeper meanings.
Holes - context lessons x 4
- 1. “ ” You willbe working in English OneNote folder (in the “HOLES” section.) Create a new page called ‘CONTEXT’
- 2.
- 4. CONTEXT Understanding the CONTEXTof a text is more than just knowing about aspects of the setting (the location and time in which events occur.) The context can include social ideas that reflect: • Cultures • People – especially relationships between people. • Values/attitudes/beliefs. Without a clear understanding of the context of a text, you cannot fully comprehend the views and values of the author, nor the overall meaning of a text. When we consider the context of a particular text, like “Holes” by Louis Sachar, we first need to consider the context – What is the context of “Holes”?
- 5. Task 1.1. Explainwhy do you think Louis Sachar wrote the novel “Holes”? (Short Answer : at least 4-5 paragraphs) . There are three stories within in the novel ‘Holes’ I. Stanley’s modern day crime and punishment. And, from the 1880’s: I. The story of Kate Barlow. II. Elya Yelnats, his immigration to the US and “the curse” that followed him. Task 1.2. Explain why you think the author included 2 stories from the past when writing the modern-day story about Stanley? (Short Answer : at least 4-5 paragraphs) CONTEXT
- 6. CONTEXT Getting to knowthe Author: Interviews with Louis Sachar • Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vUpO5cgZ1w • Interview with author Louis Sachar at Home in Austin, Texas by Suzanne Freeman https://bit.ly/2wkrbQf • Meet the Author recording (audio) https://bit.ly/2Vb83MV TASK 1.3: After watching the video and reading the interviews: Write a letter to Louis Sachar You need to include five key parts: the heading, salutation, body, closing, and signature. Things you could include in your letter might include: What you enjoyed in the book What you found difficult/didn’t like/understand (constructively put) What were the things you would like him to explain/clarify Aspects of his writing technique You may use the Letter generator https://bit.ly/2XgTFWf Or Write a postcard from Stanley Yelnets to Louis Sachar (You may use the Postcard creator https://bit.ly/2RiNPQa) Save your letter into your OneNote folder
- 7. CONTEXT Some of theFacts about Holes Tense: the tense often alternates between the present tense to flashbacks in Stanley's own life, the life of Kate Barlow, or the life of Stanley's great-great-grandfather. Setting (Time): Most of the story takes place at the end of the 20th century (1990’s) but there are flashbacks to the mid and late 19th century. Setting (Place): Most of the story takes place on Green Lake, in Texas. This fictional place is described both as it was in the late 19th and late 20th centuries. There are also some brief flashbacks to scenes in Latvia in the mid to late 19th century.
- 8. Louis Sachar usea literary device called a “FLASHBACK” when he inserted the plot line for Kate Barlow into his story. USING FLASHBACKS A flashback is a literary device used to show the audience something that occurred before the story. It is used to help the reader to better understand what is happening now or to make us think differently about why certain events and decisions are occurring. Whenever the story stops the present story and refers to a moment in time from the past, that's called a flashback.Before you begin the next task: * Write down a definition that explains what a FLASHBACK is. Example: You first read about the origins of the curse on page 31: We are now reading about a time when Stanley’s great, great grandfather was a boy. “Madame Zeroni warned that if he failed to do this, he and his descendants would be doomed for all eternity." WHY is the flashback so important to the story (Its connection to the present)? We now know the reason that the Yelnats family believe there is a curse on them. They all have a strong belief in fate and do not put up any fight in them when things go wrong for them.
- 9. Another example: (written asa comic strip). FLASHBACKS Remember: Before you begin the task on the next slide: * Write down a definition in your own words that explain the use of FLASHBACKs in your OneNote folder
- 10. . Task 1.4: Find twoflashback sequences in ‘Holes’. Describe the flashbacks you have chosen and explain how each is used in telling the story, ‘Holes’ NOTE: You will need to note down the page number, quote some of the text then explain why it has been used. This only needs to be a short paragraph for each. Task 1.5: Think about the many characters in the novels. Try to answer the following question: What do you thinks the characters are trying to achieve in the novel “Holes”? (Choose three) FLASHBACKS REMEMBER: A flashback is used to help us better understand what is happening now or to make us think differently about why certain events and decisions are occurring. Whenever the story stops the present story and refers to a moment in time from the past, that's called a flashback.
- 12. The town ofGreen Lake is fictional but the RACISM described, as part of its late 1800s past, is consistent with the patterns of racial segregation adhered to across the southern states in America in the 19th century They were notoriously racist and Sam’s treatment in general was suffered by many black men in America at that time. Louis Sachar's novel, ‘Holes’, Sam, the Onion Man, and Miss Katherine are subjected to cruel RACISM as a result of their feelings for each other. When Sam and Kate kiss, the citizens in the town of Green turn against them. Sam would have been hanged for this action, but instead Trout Walker kills him. The consequence for this action may not seem realistic today but you need to understand the historical context of this event in the novel, In Green Lake, it was against the law for a black man to kiss a white woman. Such attitudes and laws were not uncommon in the late 1800s and even into the mid- 1900s CONTEXT - RACISM
- 13. Although the ThirteenthAmendment to the Constitution freed blacks from slavery in 1865, blacks and whites remained largely segregated. Some legislation, known as ‘Jim Crow’ laws, were passed to legalize segregation. These laws created separate areas for black and white citizens in public areas, restaurants, schools, and hospitals. The name Jim Crow came from a minstrel song, Jump, Jim Crow. The word “minstrel” refers to performers, typically white men, who put black paint on their faces to mimic blacks. ‘Jim Crow’ laws were in effect until the 1960s when segregation became illegal in the United States CONTEXT - RACISM
- 14. To understand thehistorical context of this event in the novel have a look at by showing them an animated clip that describes the Civil Rights Movement and the life of Martin Luther King (on YouTube). Task 2.1 Chose ONE of the topics below to research. You will create a short (2-3 min) video to explain what you have found out about your topic You can use the questions below and guides to help you with your research. What were these events? Who was involved in them? Who were these people? What did they do that was important? How did they change society? What effect did they have on the society around them? 1. Segregation 2. The march on Washington 3. Civil rights and Voting Rights Act 4. Harriet Tubman 5. Martin Luther King 6. Rosa Parks 7. Jim Crow laws 8. Birmingham Campaign 9. Mahatma Gandhi 10. Nelson Mandela 11. Barbara Jordan 12. Richard Loving CONTEXT - RACISM WE WILL SHARE YOUR RESEARCH VIDEOS WITH THE CLASS IN OUR ONLINE SPACE
- 16. Legal Background In thebook, ‘Holes’, it is unclear whether Stanley was tried as an adult or a child the theft of Clyde Livingston's shoes. Stanley was fourteen years old so his case could have gone either way. However, because of the value of the shoes ($5000), it is likely he was tried as an adult. Trying children and teens as adults often results in harsher sentences, which, it could be argued, 18 months at Camp Green Lake was. In the United States, there are few protections available to children and teens facing the justice system, and in some states, it's legal to try children as young as eight as adults. CONTEXT - JUSTICE
- 17. How should societydeal with Juvenile offenders? Should they be punished or rehabilitated? Think about the questions below. Briefly write your ideas/thoughts down on your OneNote page. 1. Why do we have punishment? What does it mean to say “punishment to fit the crime”? 2. What is meant when the word “rehabilitation” is used? 3. What is the point of Juvenile Justice? • Rehabilitation? • Education? • Give them a second chance - to redeem themselves – to protect their identity? • Keep them out of the adult criminal justice system – eliminate or seal their records? • Keep them out of prison – don’t become part of the criminal world – keep them from the stigma of it? • Keeping them away from the rest of society? CONTEXT - JUSTICE JUSTICE - TASK 3.1
- 18. In ‘Holes’ –Stanley is sent to a juvenile detention camp. Please write your down your answers the following questions: 1. Was this camp based on the notion of punishment or rehabilitation? Explain your answer with at least 2 examples from the novel. 2. What resources did they have (and not have)? • Counselling • Activities (games/sports/ television/films) • Cold showers • Medical supplies/personnel • Education/training 3. How effective was the Camp? • Did it punish? or Did it rehabilitate? Was it abuse? Explain your points/stance with examples 4. Do you think that it is true that digging holes can turn a ‘bad’ person into a good one? Why? 5. What are some of the other unpleasant things have you heard about that are supposed to “build character”? CONTEXT - JUSTICEJUSTICE - TASK 3.2
- 19. In ‘Holes’ –Stanley is sent to a Juvenile detention camp. Please complete the following research about Juvenile Detention Centres: Find out about a Juvenile Detention Centre in Victoria. Write a brief report describing the facility. a) What are the main reasons that young people are sent there? b) What is required of the young people kept there? c) How do they spend their time whilst in there? d) How much freedom do they have? e) What punishments are given out when trust has been abused? f) Does The Centre have teachers and educational/training facilities? CONTEXT - JUSTICEJUSTICE - TASK 3.3
- 20. 1. Design aJuvenile Detention Facility that would be beneficial for juveniles who break the law. 2. You would need to draw a plan of the place. • How would the physical layout look? • What activities would you offer to them? • Would there be a motto? • Who would run the place? • What sort of regulations and guidelines would you put in place? • Would there be any forms of punishment in your centre? • What would the young people learn from the experience you offer? How would they change from being there? You can present you ideas as a pamphlet, poster (you could use an online tool eg Canva) or another format that you may prefer. (Please indicate what format you have chosen) CONTEXT - JUSTICE JUSTICE – TASK 4.3
- 21. 1. Stanley believethat being sent to Camp Green Lake for a crime he did not commit just part of the bad luck that runs in his family. Do you believe in bad/good luck? Why? 2. Have you ever been accused of something you did not do? How did you react? 3. Would you lie to protect someone or save them from punishment? What would be your reason/s? Where would you “draw the line”? 4. Explain what the difference is between a leader and a bully. CONTEXT - JUSTICE JUSTICE - Extension work
- 23. Camp Green Lakeis the setting for Holes and it was inspired by the notoriously hot summers in Texas. TASK 4.1: You will explore the geography, demographics and economy of Calhoun County, which is considered the location of Green Lake. 1. Define the literary term “setting” in your own words. In Holes the setting is based on a real town called Calhoun County, Texas on Green Lake. 2. Look at the map of Texas. Identify Calhoun County, Green Lake and the Gulf of Mexico. (see OneNote Page) 3. Research the following about Calhoun County and Green Lake: • demographics, • geography, and • history. You will present your findings in our class space on Padlet CONTEXT - PLACE
- 24. TASK 4.2: Nowyou have investigated a place that is similar to the one in the novel, you will answer the following questions: 1. What similarities did you find between the setting in the book, your research and presentations about Calhoun County and Green Lake? 2. Were there any discrepancies or anything that did not make sense about Camp Green Lake compared to Calhoun County and Green Lake? 3. Now that you know about the geography of this area, what would really happen if deep holes were dug daily near Green Lake? 4. Explain how the storyline would differ if the setting was somewhere else: a. At a seaside location? b. In the Dandenong Ranges? 5. Based on the demographics and history of Green Lake and Calhoun County, how accurate is portrayal of racism in the book? Explain. CONTEXT - PLACE
Editor's Notes
- #5 Context is the background, environment, setting, framework, or surroundings of events or occurrences. Context means circumstances forming a background of an event, idea or statement, in such a way as to enable readers to understand the narrative or a literary piece. Without a clear understanding of the context of a text, you cannot fully comprehend the views and values of the author, nor the overall meaning of a text.
- #6 5 minutes for each task Video interview with Louis Sachar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vUpO5cgZ1w Students:
- #8 Context is the background, environment, setting, framework, or surroundings of events or occurrences. Context means circumstances forming a background of an event, idea or statement. It is important to understand about the “time” because race relations is one of the themes in the story. Stanley talks about the acceptance of the differences between the boys at the camp but in the late 19th century, things were different. The place setting emphasised the harshness and bleakness that pervades the life of the boys in the 20th century and the changes that occurred in the past after the unforgiving actions of the past residents.
- #9 Students: Define flashback Demonstrate an understanding of flashback as a literary device by identifying a scene in Holes where the flashback device is used and how/why?
- #10 Students: Define flashback Demonstrate an understanding of flashback as a literary device by identifying a scene in Holes where the flashback device is used and how/why?
- #11 Students will: Define flashback Demonstrate an understanding of flashback as a literary device by identifying a scene in Holes where the flashback device is used and how/why? Make inferences about their chosen characters based on what they have read and understood.
- #14 Objectives: To gain a basic understanding of the Civil Rights movement, historical antecedents, key figures, events, and issues To use reference materials to find relevant information. In the southern states The word “minstrel” refers to performers, typically white men, who put black paint on their faces to mimic blacks. These performers sang, danced, and acted happy and simple way and in effect putting down or making fun of black people. Jim Crow laws were in effect until the 1960s when segregation became illegal in the United States
- #15 Objectives: To gain a basic understanding of the Civil Rights movement, historical antecedents, key figures, events, and issues To use reference materials to find relevant information.
- #17 Rehabilitation – making offenders understand their mistakes and ensuring they don’t fall back into the same habits, situations .
- #18 What is punishment? – so say you need punishment to fit the crime. Rehabilitation – making offenders understand their mistakes and ensuring they don’t fall back into the same habits, situations .
- #19 Rehabilitation – making offenders understand their mistakes and ensuring they don’t fall back into the same habits, situations .
- #20 .
- #21 Rehabilitation – making offenders understand their mistakes and ensuring they don’t fall back into the same habits, situations .
- #24 This activity will introduce the literary term, SETTING. For students - a setting is the geographical area or location of the book or scene. Students will develop an understanding of how the geography played its part in the development of the story of ‘Holes”