Download AE1 LAP 1 - Life of Pi, Part One

Advanced English 1 Fall 2022
LAP 1: The Power of Story
Rationale
Literature offers many invaluable lessons—some about how to write well and some about how to
live well. On this LAP, we begin the study of Yann Martel’s Life of Pi, a fictional story about a
young man who, having suffered unspeakable tragedy, creates for himself a “story [that] has a
happy ending” (93). We will analyze the story of Pi Patel, and we will closely examine and
evaluate the manner in which Martel chooses to tell Pi’s story. In this class, you must do more
than read literature—you must analyze and really study each work, thinking critically about
WHAT the author writes, about HOW he writes, about the effect of his choices, and about WHY
the writing matters.
Knowledge and Skills
On this LAP, students will engage in the following activities and practice the following skills:
*interact with the assigned reading by annotating text in an effective manner
*make textually-supported inferences and write to support understanding of text
*recognize and analyze how the author develops complex yet believable characters
*analyze how the author’s figurative language, sensory language, and syntax contribute to tone
*analyze how the author employs key motifs to develop and reveal thematic messages
*analyze the effect of the author’s choice to employ dual narrators in PART ONE of the novel
*improve working vocabulary through the study of word meanings and origins
*apply MLA-formatting rules to hand-written and type-written work
Important Dates
Class 2 (BA: 9 August or BB: 10 August) – book checks: Life of Pi and Vocabulary Energizers
(two participation grades)
Class 3 (BA: 11 August or BB: 12 August) – LAP 1, Week 1 CIA due in class (daily grade)
Class 6 (BA: 17 August or BB: 18 August) – LAP 1, Week 2 CIA due in class (daily grade)
Class 8 (Monday, 29 August) – LAP 1 Test (major grade)
Reading, annotating, and vocabulary homework assigned on most days—follow LAP carefully
Grading Scale
Major grades (60%) - tests, most formal essays, projects, seminars
Daily grades (30%) - quizzes, graded HW, classwork (including short in-class essays)
Participation (10%) – participation in class; completion HW; book checks; PSAT prep program
Materials Needed in Class on LAP 1:
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Vocabulary Energizers: Stories of Word Origins by David Popkin, Ph.D.
English binder with loose-leaf paper; blue or black pens; #2 pencils; fully-charged laptop; LAP
Key terms and conventions: characterization; diction; syntax; tone; first-person narrator;
inference; sensory language; imagery; figurative language–metaphor, simile, personification;
motif; theme; anaphora (handout; also posted on portal class page under Topic 1)
Class 1: Monday, 8 August (#4 Schedule)
In-Class (CW):
1. Review LAP 1 and briefly discuss expectations for Advanced English 1.
2. Listen critically to NPR Interview of Yann Martel. Write notes as you listen to Martel’s
comments about Life of Pi and about life. In this interview, Martel introduces several key
thematic ideas. What does he say? How does he speak? What seems important in this interview?
Before Next Class (HW):
1. Read and analyze the AUTHOR’S NOTE in Martel’s novel. Carefully annotate the text, and
come to Class 2 prepared to discuss your responses to the following questions: How does Martel
introduce the motif of “story”? How does Martel intentionally blur the line between fiction and
non-fiction? Why does he do so? What is interesting about the last sentence in the note, and what
is the connection to “story”?
Annotate as you read: circle character names, circle words you do not know—look them up
and write definitions in the margin, underline or bracket key passages, write words or
symbols in the margins. Write something next to everything you circle or underline to
indicate WHY you did so. Write something on every page that will enable you to quickly
locate passages without having to re-read. After finishing a chapter, write a chapter
heading or title next to the chapter number; there are one hundred chapters in this novel;
chapter titles will be helpful. 2. Graded book checks in Class 2. So, bring your copy of Life of
Pi and your copy of Vocabulary Energizers. Write your last name prominently on both texts.
Class 2: Tuesday, 9 August (BA) OR Wednesday, 10 August (BB) (Block A/B Schedule)
CW: 1. Book checks: Life of Pi and Vocabulary Energizers (VE)
2. Read the “Preface” to Vocabulary Energizers and begin to increase your vocabulary and your
knowledge of word origins with Ch. 10, word #3: enigmatic. You are accountable for the
definition(s), synonym(s), and part(s) of speech for each assigned VE word.
3. Respond to CIA. On this LAP, you will create one MLA-formatted page for each set of CIA
responses. This week’s CIAs will include your responses to the CIA prompts listed under Class 2
and Class 3. In Class 3, I will collect the single document with your two Week 1 responses. The
title on the document should be as follows: LAP 1, Week 1 CIA Responses. The CIA prompts
are listed on the LAP, so you should write responses even if you are not on campus for class.
Class 2 CIA prompt: Briefly analyze the first sentence of the AUTHOR’S NOTE in Life of Pi.
What is interesting about Yann Martel’s word choice? Why does the author feel the need to
“explain” (Martel VII) this first sentence? Respond in third person (NO I, me, my, we, us, our,
you, your, one, and reader), in literary present tense (NO past tense), and in formal language.
4. Discuss key elements of the AUTHOR’S NOTE.
5. Time permitting, begin reading and annotating Life of Pi, chapters 1-4.
In the non-italicized chapters of PART ONE, Pi Patel speaks in first person
about his childhood; in the italicized chapters, the author speaks about Pi.
(Is the author Martel or is he a character created by Martel? You decide.)
Pay attention to HOW Martel characterizes Pi. What does he reveal about
Pi’s childhood? Pay attention to Martel’s word choice (diction) and—in
particular—to his highly sensory language.
HW: Finish reading and annotating chapters 1-4 of Life of Pi. Come to
class ready to discuss this reading and to use your annotated novel to direct the class to textual
evidence.
Class 3: Thursday, 11 August (BA) OR Friday, 12 August (BB) (Block A/B Schedule)
CW:
1. Increase your vocabulary and your knowledge of word origins with Vocabulary Energizers
Ch. 10, word #8: prosaic and Ch. 10, word #1: agnostic.
2. Respond to Class 3 CIA. Continuing on the same MLA-formatted sheet of paper you used in
Class 2, respond briefly to today’s prompt: Who narrates the first four chapters of Martel’s
novel? Be specific. So far, what seems important in the information revealed about Piscine
Molitor Patel? Turn in LAP 1, Week 1 CIA Responses.
3. Review overview of LAP 1 Test (handout; also posted on portal class page under Topic 1)
4. Analyze chapters 1-4 of Life of Pi.
5. Begin reading and annotating chapters 5-14 of Life of Pi.
In PART ONE of this novel, Yann Martel reveals vital information about Pi Patel; this
information is key to creating Pi as a believable character and to setting up the possibility of the
remainder of the story. Pay close attention to Martel’s characterization of Pi—each episode in
PART ONE is there for a reason.
Ask yourself WHY Martel includes an episode. WHAT does he want you to know? What does
Pi know? What does Pi know how to do? What does Martel reveal about Pi? What are Pi’s traits?
His habits? What conclusions does Martel intend you to draw about Pi?
HW:
1. Study VE words; consider making and using flashcards (best strategy).
2. Finish reading and annotating chapters 5-14 of Life of Pi. Come to Class 4 prepared to discuss
this reading.
Class 4: Monday, 15 August (#5 Schedule--Mass)
CW:
1. Increase your vocabulary by learning origin and meaning of VE Ch. 10, word #9: docile.
2. Respond to Class 4 CIA.
a. Create an MLA-formatted document entitled LAP 1, Week 2 CIA Responses.
b. Respond briefly to today’s prompt: Currently, what textually-supported inferences can be
made about Pi Patel? (See the key term list to define inference.)
Be sure to write to respond in third person. Like most writing prompts, this question asks for
your opinion; however, you MUST state that opinion without using first person pronouns. You
must also write in literary present tense and in formal language.
3. Analyze chapters 5-14 of Life of Pi.
4. Begin reading and annotating chapters 15-17 of Life of Pi.
In these chapters, Martel describes Pi’s initial encounters with Hinduism and Christianity.
Pay close attention to the sensory language used to describe both the “Godhouse[s]” (Martel 51)
and Pi’s reaction to each place of worship.
To critically analyze this novel, you MUST understand what Pi thinks about Hinduism;
read carefully and try to set aside any preconceptions you may have about this religion. Think
critically about what Martel is really up to in these chapters. What is the author’s purpose here?
HW:
1. Study VE words—definitions, synonyms, and parts of speech.
2. Finish reading and annotating chapters 15-17 of Life of Pi. Review the reading before coming
to the next class; come to Class 5 prepared to discuss this reading.
Class 5: Tuesday, 16 August (#3 Schedule)
CW:
1. Increase your vocabulary by learning origins and meanings of VE Ch. 10, words #4 and #5:
blatant and nebulous.
2. Respond to Class 5 CIA.
a. Write your response of the same MLA-formatted document you used in Class 4.
b. Today’s prompt: Briefly contrast the language and imagery with which Pi describes his
initial encounters with Hinduism and Christianity.
3. Analyze chapters 15-17 of Life of Pi and begin reading and annotating chapters 18-22 of Life
of Pi. What is different about Pi’s encounter with Islam? Pay particular attention to the
philosophical aspects of these chapters. Martel has said that chapters 21 and 22 are the core of
the novel. Why? How so? You may not yet be able to answer these key questions, but keep these
chapters in mind as you continue to read.
HW:
1. Study VE words—definitions, synonyms, and parts of speech.
2. Finish reading and annotating chapters 18-22 of Life of Pi. Come to Class 6 prepared to
discuss this reading.
Class 6: Wednesday, 17 August (BA) OR Thursday, 18 August (BB) (Block A/B Schedule)
CW:
1. Increase your vocabulary by learning origin and meaning of VE Ch. 10, word #6: procrustean
and Ch. 10, word #7: denigrate.
2. Respond to Class 6 CIA. Continuing on the same MLAformatted sheet of paper you used in Class 5, respond briefly to
today’s prompt. Write in third person, in formal language, and
in literary present tense.
Class 6 CIA Prompt: Briefly compare Pi Patel’s initial
reactions to Christianity and to Islam. What do Martel reveal
about Pi in these episodes?
Turn in LAP 1, Week 2 CIA Responses.
3. Analyze chapters 18-22 of Life of Pi.
4. Begin reading and annotating chapters 23-28 of Life of Pi. In chapter 23, Martel portrays a
hilariously ironic episode in which Pi and his parents encounter “three wise men” (64). Martel
also reveals how Pi’s family adjusts to his desire to create a more personal relationship with God.
HW: 1. Study VE words. 2. Finish reading and annotating chapters 23-28. After returning from
Camp Aquinas, review all reading and annotations; be prepared to discuss all reading in Class 7.
Camp Aquinas
Friday, 19 August-Tuesday, 23 August
Asynchronous Day: Wednesday, 24 August
Although you are not in class today, this is a SCHOOL DAY and you have an assignment:
1. Read and annotate chapters 29-32 of Life of Pi. Martel continues to play with the motifs of
faith, reason, and imagination; think about why he does so and about the effect of these elements.
Come to Class 7 ready to discuss these chapters and their connection to the first 28 chapters.
2. Review and supplement your annotations in chapters 1-28. LAP Test on Monday, 29 August.
Class 7: Thursday, 25 August (BA) OR Friday, 26 August (BB) (Block A/B Schedule)
CW:
1. Increase your vocabulary and your knowledge of word origins with VE Ch. 10, word #10:
boycott and VE Ch. 10, word #2: nepotism.
2. Analyze chapters 23-28 of Life of Pi.
3. Begin reading chapters 29-36 of Life of Pi. This reading will bring you to the end of PART
ONE of Martel’s novel. As Pi shows the author the few remaining photos from Pondicherry, he
mentions Richard Parker a second time. Continuing to play with another key motif, Martel ends
PART ONE by promising that Pi’s “story has a happy ending” (93).
HW:
1. Review all VE words for LAP 1 Test: definitions, parts of speech, and synonyms.
2. Review PART ONE and your annotations and your notes. More particularly, review and think
critically about the following: Martel’s development of complex-yet-believable characters;
Martel’s use diction and syntax to create voice and tone; the effect of dual narrators on PART
ONE of the novel; sensory language, imagery, motifs, and developing themes of Martel’s work.
Class 8: Monday, 29 August (#3 Schedule)
CW: LAP 1 TEST
HW:
1. Print LAP 2—bring the printed LAP to the next class.
2. Read and annotate chapters 37-40 of Life of Pi. Think about how Martel’s writing changes
here. He identifies a change of setting. How do his style, diction, syntax, and tone change? What
is different about the imagery? If you skim ahead, you will note that there are no italicized
chapters in Part Two—this is Pi’s story un-interrupted.
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LAP 1 Illustrations by Tomislav Torjana
“The Illustrated Life of Pi.” 27 Sep. 2007, 11:38, The Guardian, US Edition,
https://www.theguardian.com/books/gallery/2007/sep/27/generalfiction.