The+Role+of+the+Female+in+the+Fantasy+Genre

A Unit Plan by Mark Meyer

====Rationale: The role of the female has changed throughout the history of literature. Perhaps this is especially evident in the fantasy genre. Starting with classic fairy tales where the woman's role was to wait around for prince charming to save her from some situation which she was to weak to save herself, up through modern day stories of daring heroines who can not only save themselves, but the rest of the world (men too) as well. This pattern of change is evident outside the realm of books as well, finding it's way into movies and video games. Where once Mario had to save the princess (who was constantly in another castle), now Princess Peach must venture out to save Mario from Bowser's evil clutches. In this unit, Students will see how the role of the female has evolved over the course of time in the fantasy genre, making great strides towards equality; and they will also learn that they still have a long way to go.====

//__**Understandings:**__//

Students will understand that...


 * the dominant discourses about the role of women in society are deeply embedded in our books, movies, and video games.


 * The fantasy genre offers a unique look at the way in which females are treated


 * the role women in the fantasy genre has changed over time


 * while the role of women has come a long way in the fantasy genre, it is still far from being truly equal

Essential Questions:
 * What is the role of women in our society?
 * What is the role of women in fantasy novels?
 * What is the role of women in fantasy movies?
 * What is the role of women in fantasy video games?
 * How does the setting of fantasy stories affect the way in which women are portrayed?
 * What discourses shape the fantasy genre?

__**Acquisition**__

Students will know...


 * How to critically read a fantasy novel
 * How to critically read video games
 * How to critically view a movie.
 * How discourse shapes media
 * How fantasy promotes/rejects sexism

Students will be able to...


 * understand how a single genre can evolve over time
 * write an essay that explains the role of women in the fantasy genre
 * critically read to uncover the underlying discourses in a piece of work

NYS Common Core Standards for English Language Arts Writing Standards Grades 11-12 1. Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence. Explore and inquire into areas of interest to formulate an argument. a. Introduce precise, knowledgeable claim(s), establish the significance of the claim(s), distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and create an organization that logically sequences claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. b. Develop claim(s) and counterclaims fairly and thoroughly, supplying the most relevant evidence for each while pointing out the strengths and limitations of both in a manner that anticipates the audience’s knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses as well as varied syntax to link the major sections of the text, create cohesion, and clarify the relationships between claim(s) and reasons, between reasons and evidence, and between claim(s) and counterclaims. d. Establish and maintain a formal style and objective tone while attending to the norms and conventions of the discipline in which they are writing. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented. 4. Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.

5. Develop and strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing on addressing what is most significant for a specific purpose and audience. 9. Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research. 10.  Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes, and audiences

Reading Standards for Informational Texts 11-12 1. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as  well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain 5. Analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of the structure an author uses in his or her exposition or argument, including whether the structure makes points clear, convincing, and engaging. 6. Determine an author’s point of view or purpose in a text in which the rhetoric is particularly effective, analyzing how style and content contribute to the power, persuasiveness, or beauty of the text.

Reading Standards for Literature 11-12 1. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.

4.  Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in the text, including figurative and connotative meanings; analyze the impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone, including words with multiple meanings or language that is particularly fresh, engaging, or beautiful. (Include Shakespeare as well as other authors.) 5.  Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure specific parts of a text (e.g., the   choice of where to begin or end a story, the choice to provide a comedic or tragic resolution) contribute to its overall structure and meaning as well as its aesthetic impact.

6.  Analyze a case in which grasping point of view requires distinguishing what is directly stated in  a text from what is really meant (e.g., satire, sarcasm, irony, or understatement).

11.  Interpret, analyze, and evaluate narratives, poetry, and drama, aesthetically and philosophically by making connections to: other texts, ideas, cultural perspectives, eras, personal events, and situations. a. Self-select text to respond and develop innovative perspectives. b. Establish and use criteria to classify, select, and evaluate texts to make informed judgments about the quality of the pieces.

Text Set [|Finnikin of the Rock by Melina Marchetta] (YA Novel) This is a YA Fantasy novel that features a male protagonist, but is arguably feminist in nature. The book features greatly on the power a woman can have and the reliance of men on women. An interesting and well-written YA Novel dealing with the role of women in a fantasy setting. [|Graceling by Kristin Cashore] (YA Novel) A YA book that is feminist at first glance, but has some very fatal flaws that promote a male centric dominant discourse. An interesting way for students to see a book featuring a strong female heroine, but that still has some problems dealing with the underlying discourse in the novel. [|Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs] (Children’s book) A classic example of the traditional role of women in a fantasy setting. This Disney edition shows students how these ideologies are taught to kids at an early age and have been accepted by society and made its way into dominant discourse. [|Cinderella](Children’s Book) A classic example of the traditional role of women in a fantasy setting. This Disney edition shows students how these ideologies are taught to kids at an early age and have been accepted by society and made its way into dominant discourse. [|Shrek] (Film) A twist on classic fantasy tropes, this movie offers a new look at the traditional role of women in fairy tales. [|Lord of The Rings Trilogy] (Film) Will show clips from arguably the most popular fantasy series of all time. Show how women are portrayed. [|Lara Croft 2008] (Picture) A picture featuring one of video games most well know heroines and sex symbols. [|Lara Croft 2012] (Picture) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">A more recent picture featuring a redesign of one of video games most well known heroines and sex symbols. To be compared with previous picture. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|Objectification of Women in Video Games] (Article) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">An article about the role of and the objectification of women in video games. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|The Representation of Women in Fantasy: What’s the Problem?] (Article) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">An article about how women are represented in the fantasy genre and about how we need to rethink their more traditional roles. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|The Evolution of Women in Fantasy Movies] (Article) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">An article that shows the evolution of the roles women play in fantasy movies. From the classic to the more modern. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">[|Fantasy Armor and Lady Bits] (Article) <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">An article describing the absurdity of fantasy armor for women. Mainly looks at video games, but also uses historical fact to back up argument. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[|Harry Potter & Women: Are Women Treated Equally in Harry Potter Stories?] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">An article discussing the women of harry potter, a very popular book series with young adults.

=__**<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Culminating Projects **__= = = 1. Formal Essay on unit novels Students will write a four to five page essay discussing either __Graceling__ or __Finnikin of the Rock.__ Students will be asked to write about how the novel either accepts or challanges traditional female roles, using textual evidence to support their agrguments. Students will be asked to apply a feminist lense to their chosen novel, in order to talk about how the underlying discources shape the novel. While both novels are feminist on a cursory level, students will be asked to look deeply to decide if the novel is truley feminist or is still stuck in promoting a male dominant discourse. 2. Formal Essay on any book from the year Students will also be asked to write another four to five page paper, this stime applying a feminist lense to any book they've read this year. The goal of this paper is to make sure students have an understanding of how to apply this critical lense to any book, not just the books we've talked about in this unit in class. Again, students will be asked to pick a book and decide whther or not it accepts or challanges traditional female roles. Students will be asked to talk about author's intent as well as underlying discources by using textual evidence. Fiction and non-fiction can be used for this assignment.

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