Who are you? Do you Know? This unit is designed to find the answers to these questions (well, maybe). We are all products of our experiences. The things we encounter everyday in some way shape our personality. Rarely, however, do we stop and think about our own nature. By studying a variety of materials, the goal is to identify our personality and the influences that helped shape it. Also, we need to recognize that the decisions we make are a result of those experiences.

What does Holden’s red hunting hat have to do with identity?  This will make sense later, don’t worry.

To help you think about your own Identity, complete the following “Me Map” ( Me Map)  if you did not get one in class.

This unit on identity will encourage you to think about yourself and how the world around you influences you by reading a variety of materials (essay, poetry, short story, novel). This will focus on students—how do they become who they are and how do they end up making decisions.

Who am I?

How did it become who I am?

Think about how these authors explore their identities in relation to others:

“It’s Hard Enough Being Me”

It\'s Hard Enough Being Me

Questions about Hard Enough

1. Did the author’s identity change in college? How so?
2. What do people expect of her (at college)?
3. What is the contradiction she expresses with her situation? (3rd paragraph)
4. Why was learning in college difficult for her? (explain paragraph 10)
5. The author states it was difficult when she moved to New York to define herself as “Latina.” Do you think it is good, bad, or some of each to be forced to define oneself in terms of ethnicity?
6. What conclusion does the author draw at the end about her identity?

“For the white person who wants to know how to be my friend”

by Pat Parker

the first thing you do is to forget that i’m Black.
Second, you must never forget that i’m Black.

You should be able to dig Aretha,
but don’t play here every time i come over.
An if you decide to play Beethoven-don’t tell me
his life story. They make us take music appreciation too.

Eat soul food if you like it, but don’t expect me
to locate your restaurants
of cook it for you.

And if some Black person insults you,
mugs you, rapes your sister, rapes you,
rips your house or is just being an ass-
please do not apologize to me
for wanting to do them bodily harm.
It makes me wonder if you’re foolish.

And even if you really believe Blacks are better lovers than
whites-don’t tell me. I start thinking of charging stud fees.

In other words-if you really want to be my friend-don’t
make a labor of it. I’m lazy. Remember.

-from Making Face, Make Soul
edited by Gloria Anzaldua
( For the White Person Who Wants to Be My Friend)

San Francisco: Aunt Lute Foundation Books, 1990.

Identity

The act of being oneself.

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Here is a copy  of “The Raven” with a side-by-side translation. The Raven and translation

Or, you can listen to Christopher Walkin read it:

And a study guide:  The Raven Study Guide

Here are the notes on the literary terms that go with poetry:

Poetry Lit Terms

[Show as slideshow]

Click to enlarge the side.

The Simpsons’ tree house of horror version of “The Raven”

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“The Fall of the House of Usher,” Edgar Allan Poe
Roderick Usher is not only alone, but the last of his line. The Fall of the House of Usher

“The Raven,” Edgar Allan Poe
The narrator is has been left alone by loss. See the Raven post for more info.

“Mariam,” Truman Capote
Time is not kind to Mariam.  Read how this little old lady deals with isolation. Mariam

[QUIZZIN 9]

Related posts:

1. The Raven “The Raven” resources. Here is a copy  of “The Raven”...
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