To many Americans, knowledge of Caribbean literature consists of Harry Belafonte   singing "Day O" or Bob Marley crooning the familiar lines of "I Shot the Sheriff". To others, it is the Mighty Sparrow's" working for the Yankee Dollar" Still to   others- is there a thing as Caribbean Literature? It is a place where calypso   and reggae music float freely through the air. It is a place where hardworking   but easygoing people abound. The rich cultural heritage precedes Independence from European Powers. In a sense, the Independence of the writers and the artistes   came long before Political Independence. This webquest page attempts to highlight   some of the most celebrated writers: among them a Nobel Prize winner and a comedienne performer. The Caribbean is a place where great literature is made, as it is   a place where great music is made

In this unit, students are introduced to various Caribbean authors. As students read each author's impression of their homeland and memories of their homeland   the students will gain insight into the experiences of other cultures as well   as an understanding of what America looks like to those outside its borders.

 

STANDARDS:

n      Standards addressed are multi-disciplinary and speak mainly to language arts and history.

 

HISTORY

n      Understands the influence of social change.

n      Understands major contemporary social issues and the groups involved. (continuing debates over multiculturalism, immigration, and ethnic identity.

 

LANGUAGE ARTS

n      Applies reading skills and strategies to a variety of literary text.

n      Makes connections among literary works based on theme.

n      Understand historical and cultural influences on works of literature.

n      Relate personal experience to the text.

n      Reflects on what has been read to make authentic comparison and contrast.

 

PROCEDURE

n      Begin by reading and discussing “The Tropics in New York” by Jamaican poet Claude McKay

n      Discuss and elicit response from students about why Claude McKay was prompted to write about exotic fruits ripening in a New York store window.

n      How does McKay feel about his homeland? About his adopted homeland? Support your answer by referencing to the text.

n      Direct students to explore the works of other immigrant authors who write with similar themes. (Memoir, Nostalgia)

n      Explore Derrick Walcott (St. Lucia) –his epic poem “Omeros”, his collected poems, and the noble lecture “The Antilles: Fragments of a Collective Memory”.

n      Students to summarize author’s feelings about living in a strange land (America).

n      Students then explore and write about the most powerful and poignant memories of their homeland.

n      Students to identify the line or lines that effectively capture the tone of the passage. Elaborate on their choice(s).

n      Why do you think the author had those feelings?

 

ASSESSMENT

n      Students may be evaluated by participation in class, the quality of the written summary about an author’s work and appropriate writing assignment as dictated.

n      The final written assignment may be evaluated based on an understanding of the author’s work, themes, the use of conventional grammar, and proper mechanics.