BEATRICE is standing in the shadows, leaning on a doorframe for support. She falls and AUNT FELICIA catches her.
ELVIS
Mommy! Mommy!
SUNDAY
Stand still.
SUNDAY pulls ELVIS roughly by the arm. BEATRICE retreats into the house. ELVIS looks for OYE. She is not here but his cousins INNOCENT and GODFREY are standing with a number of teenage boys. SUNDAY notices ELVIS is looking for his mother and grandmother.
SUNDAY
Time to cut the apron strings. Dis is about being a man. No women allowed.
JOSEPH (wearing a grass skirt and painting designs on his body)
Easy Sunday.
SUNDAY
Easy what? Dis is why he has to learn early how to be a man, you know?
JOSEPH
I know but easy.
ELVIS is watching this exchange while JOSEPH paints ELVIS.
SUNDAY
Eh, Joseph, I have some White Horse Whiskey, let me bring it?
JOSEPH
You need to ask?
ELVIS
What’s happening?
JOSEPH
Today, Elvis, you are going to kill your first eagle.
ELVIS
But I’m too little.
JOSEPH
Don’t worry.
ELVIS
But why must I kill the eagle?
JOSEPH
It is the first step into manhood for you. When you are older, de next step is to kill a goat, and den from dere we begin your manhood rites. But dis is de first step.
SUNDAY returns with glasses and a bottle of whiskey. JOSEPH takes a drink and turns to the ground, grimacing.
JOSEPH
Ah, Sunday, dat na good brew dere. Pour me anoder.
SUNDAY
Don’t finish my good whiskey. Dis stuff is not kaikai.
JOSEPH finishes painting ELVIS and sends GODFREY to summon the MALE ELDERS. When he leaves, JOSEPH hands ELVIS a small homemade bow with an arrow strung in it. On the end of the arrow, pierced through it’s side is a chick. It was still alive and chirped.
ELVIS
It’s alive.
JOSEPH
Of course it is, you just shot it.
ELVIS
I didn’t.
SUNDAY
You did.
ELVIS
Is this an eagle chick?
JOSEPH
Elvis, you funny. No, it’s a chicken, eagle is too expensive.
ELVIS stands there holding the bow and arrow, holding the chick as far away from him as possible. The MALE ELDERS assemble, SUNDAY passes the whiskey around and the men drink from the bottle.
MALE ELDERS (in unison)
Do we have a kill?
JOSEPH
Yes, we have a kill.
MALE ELDERS
Was it a good kill?
SUNDAY
Yes.
MALE ELDERS
The father cannot speak.
JOSEPH
Yes.
MALE ELDERS
Where is the kill?
JOSEPH pointed and ELVIS stepped forward. The MALE ELDERS smile and look to each other.
MALE ELDERS
In our day it was an eagle.
SUNDAY
Let’s just get on with it.
The MALE ELDERS glower at SUNDAY. One by one they walk up to Elvis and blow chalk in his face. They anoint his head with oil and take the bow and arrow from him and pass it to JOSEPH. Then they spit in his palms, mutter a blessing and walk out.
“Elvis! Elvis! Wake up. It’s past six in de morning and all your mates are out dere looking for work” (5).
“Dancing is no job. We all dance in de bar on Saturday. Open dis bloody door!” (5)
“Before you speak, my friend, remember, a spiritual man contain his anger” (5).
“Angry words are like a slap in de face” (5).
“Dat’s de way” (6).
“De Lord says de only road to salvation lies in de Yahweh Adonai Latter Day Prophetic Spiritual and Messianic Church of God and His Blessed Son Jesus of Mount Carmel” (10).
“Repent and come unto de Lord before it becomes too late” (10).
“Dinna cry about tha’ things you canna change” (11).
“But I have some chocolate. Have you ever had chocolate before?” (13)
“Who do dis to you?” (13)
“Look at dis mad boy, O!” (15)
“Since morning he go out only to walk around” (15).
“He don come back, the only thing him can do is to find food” (15).
“Get a job like his mates he cannot” (15).
“Oga sir!” (15)
“De trials of dis world things come as surprise, so you must have a warrior’s heart to withstand dem” (22).
“Dere is time for such talk later” (22).
“Well, if you help me pull dis stubborn goat to de headmaster’s office, I will make things all right for you” (25).
“Dat’s right. Dese gangsters drive 1965 Ford Mustangs, you see. Like cowboys” (26).
“De horse is dere, on de hood of de Mustang. Same thing” (26).
“You dey jealous?” (29)
“Listen, if I fancy him, I go pretend say I no see him hand. Dat na extra money” (29).
“No Elvis, it not like that. If I want I go let am touch me, no be sleazy thing, na practical thing—like feeding goat or tending chicken” (29).
“It’s only you men dat make it more dan dat” (29).
“Coca-Cola! Is cold! Come buy!” (29).
“What’s ya name?” (31)
“Like de musicman?” (31)
“I beg. Dat is my work” (31).
What do the following quotes tell us about these
characters? Use these and others you
find in the novel to write a brief biography of each woman:
Beatrice: “Do you want to help me with de garden?” (35)
“All right, sweetheart. I’ll be done in a minute” (35).
“I am preparing him, Mama. I am teaching him things dat useless school cannot. I have taught him to sew, to iron, to cook, to read and to write at a level beyond his age” (38).
“It’s your father’s spirit dat is fighting him” (44).
Comfort: “Look at dis mad boy O! Since morning he go out only to walk around. Him don come back, the only thing him can do is find food. Get job like his mates he cannot. Oga sir!”
“See dis small boy? Don’t cheek me, just pay rent” (50).
“Ya papa no love me” (51).
Oye: “In the olden days, criminals and murderers were buried alive, standing up. A flowering stake and was driven through their heads and they became the trees. Tha’s why tha fruit is so sweet” (20).
“Children are never too young to hear tha truth. You know why tha criminals were killed tha’ way? Redemption. In death they were given a chance to be useful, to feed fruit-bearing trees. Do you understand?” (21)
“You should tell him about the operation, lass. You dinna have much time left” (36).
“The thing with magic lad, is tha’ it always has consequences” (84).
“I am fighting with my father” (93).
“You are getting awfully personal for a person hired to dance” (93).
“I think you got it wrong...It is I who buy the drinks. What can I get you?” (93).
Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even on the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.
Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you’ll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.
Be a little cheery and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it. Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper, etc. and then run a dustcloth over the tables.
Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest of order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.
Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.
Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him. Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him. Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first—remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.
Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner, or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, and his very real need to be at home and relax.
You goal. Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit. Don’t greet him with complaints and problems. Don’t complain if he’s home late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through during the day.
You have two weeks to do one of the following:
Write a screenplay for one chapter of the book.
Create a film based upon one chapter of the book.
Write a one-act play based upon one chapter of the book.
|
Film |
Expert Group |
Observations and Comments |
|
“The Searchers” |
Screenwriter: Closely follow the text and note what words, pauses and arrangements are used. Consider any words that express what you think to be an ‘American image.’ |
|
|
“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” |
Cinematographer: Note and describe the camera movement and angles, lighting, etc. What does this, and the director’s choice of editing, tell us about the scene?
|
|
|
“Casablanca” |
Sound Editor: Listen for all background sounds, music, sound f/x, etc. Turn away from the screen to do this. |
|
|
“Easy Rider” |
Set and Costume Designer: Note and describe sets, costumes, props, etc., paying particular attention to colors and symbols. |
|
|
“Dirty Harry” |
Actor: Note and describe specific aspects of the performance, accents, subtext, and emphasis of on certain words. |
|
my air jordans cost a hundred with tax
my suede starters jacket says raiders on the back
i’m stylin...smilin...lookin real mean cuz
it ain’t about bein heard just bein seen
my leather adidas baseball cap
matches my fake gucci backpack
there’s nobody out there looks good as me
but the gear costs money it sure ain’t free
and i gots no job no money at all
but it’s easy to steal fresh gear from the mall
parents say i shouldn’t but i know i should
gots ta do what i can to make sure i look good
and the reason i have to look real fly
well to tell ya the truth man i don’t know why
i guess it makes me feel special inside
when i’m wearin’ fresh gear i don’t have to hide
but i really must get some new gear soon
or my ego will pop like a ten cent balloon
but security’s tight at all the shops
everyday there are more and more cops
my crew’s laughin at me cuz i’m wearin old gear
school’s almost over summer is near
and i’m sportin torn jordans and need somethin new
there’s only one thing left to do
cut school Friday catch the subway downtown
check out my victims hangin around
maybe i’ll get lucky and find easy prey
gots to get some new gear there’s no other way
i’m ready and willin i’m packin my gun
this is serious bizness it sure ain’t no fun
but i can’t have my posse laughin at me
i’ll cop something dope just wait and you’ll see
come out the station west 4th near the park
brothers shootin hoops and someone remarks
HEY HOMES...WHERE’D YOU GET THOSE DEF NIKES
as i said to myself...i likes em...i likes
there were q-tip white bright and blinded my eyes
the red emblem of michael looked as if it could fly
not one spot of dirt the airs were brand new
had my pistol knew just what to do
followed him very closely behind
waited until it was just the right time
made a left turn on houston pulled out my gun and screamed
GIMME THEM JORDANS... and he tried to run
took off fast but he didn’t get far
i fired (POW) he fell between two parked cars
he was coughin/cryin/blood dripped on the street
and i snatched them air jordans off a his feet
while layin there dyin all he could say was
please...don’t take my air jordans away...
you think he’d be worried about stayin alive
as i took off with the jordans there were tears in his eyes
the very next day i bopped into school
with my brand new air jordans man was i cool
i killed to get them but hey...i don’t care
cuz now...i needs a new jacket to wear
Unit Exam: GraceLand
Quotes: Who do you think said the following and why?
10. “This is Redemption.”
Answer the following questions.
5. This book talks about the significance in the Igbo culture of names. Explain what you feel the significance is of Redemption’s name.
|
Film Project |
Excellent |
Acceptable |
Poor |
|
Student create and write a film, play or short story based upon one chapter of the novel |
Students incorporate actual events described in the novel into a new format, students use the language described creatively, students create a well-thought out project related that relates to the novel. |
Students use some of the elements and characters described in the novel. Students plan out the project’s execution. |
Students neither plan the project carefully nor create a project that is related to the novel. |
|
Unit Exam |
Students can identify the speakers of each quote and give opinions for the questions of metaphor, simile, etc. and support those opinions with references from the novel. |
Students may not know who the speaker is, but can give educated guesses based upon the reading of the novel. Students give opinions of the usage of literary conventions with some evidence to back them up. |
Students are unsure who is speaking in the novel and cannot connect literary conventions to any part of the text. |