The document discusses identity and how it is constructed. It prompts the reader to consider what defines them and influences their identity, like race, class, gender, etc. It suggests creating an "identity wheel" to represent these factors and how much they emphasize each. The document then asks readers to create wheels for characters from novels they've read to understand how those characters view their own identities or are defined by others. Finally, it describes an activity where students are assigned random numbers and must socialize based on those numbers, reflecting on larger issues of social dynamics and identity.

2. Wrapping up
 How does Ruth’s death affect other characters in the novel?
 Why does Annie say she wishes Aunt Ruth knew how
beautiful she was?
 Aunt Raylene says a woman should never be forced to
choose between her husband and her baby. How do you
feel about this statement? What does Annie choose?
 Do you believe that Annie loves Bone? What do you make
of the last scene?
 What is the significance of the exchange of the birth
certificate and the information Bone finds on it?

3. Constructing Identity
Are we born with an identity or
do we construct an identity? Or
both?
What defines you?
Who defines you?
How do you construct or
negotiate your own identity?
Are you the same with all people
or do you highlight different
aspects of your identity
depending upon the social
situation?

4. Making our own wheels
 Think about the markers that define you.
 Race, class, religion, education, gender, occupation, health,
activities, age, home/ geography, political stance, family,
etc. Carve up your own wheel, demonstrating how you see
these factors influencing your life. Some parts of your wheel
may be larger than others depending on what you
emphasize (what matters most to you, what takes up the
most time, or how you see yourself).
 Are there certain things that you would want to
deemphasize? Why?

5. Application
 Pick one of the following characters,
and create an identity wheel for
them based on your reading of the
text.
 What identity markers do you think
these characters would emphasize
on their wheel and why?
 Do you think these characters are
defining themselves or being
defined by others? How do we
know?
 Be prepared to discuss.
Janie
Bone
Shannon
Clemencia
Old Man Warner
Earle
Raylene
Annie
Joe
Teacake
Glenn

6. Identity
 Identity Formation
 How do these images challenge the ways we view race?
 How does it challenge or enhance your perception of a personal
identity?
 What are some of the ways that these people determined their
identity? Is there a right or wrong way to make this decision?

7. Comparisons
 How have the characters we have looked at so far struggled
with the issue of identity?
 How have they been defined or categorized? Who has
categorized them?
 Nature vs. Nurture: How have some of the characters
challenged these ideas?

8. Socially Lived Theory
 You will be given a card. Do not look at your card, but hold it
up in front of you so that other classmates can see your
number.
 Higher numbers are more desirable than lower numbers.
Your challenge is to talk to as many people with higher
numbers as possible.

9. Reflection
 How did you figure out your number?
 Did you stick to the rules? Why or why not?
 Was this activity isolating?
 If you had a lower or a middle-range number, did you talk to
people with similar numbers, why or why not?
 How does this experience reflect larger societal issues?
 How does it connect to our texts?