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Chapter 1
Spotlight on Japan
Focus
Question
How does an understanding of literature and language help us to better
understand the culture?
Teacher
Tips:
These literature lessons were designed as part of an
interdisciplinary approach. The English teacher will teach the literary
lessons while the social studies teacher will focus on the area study.
An art component is also desirable to complete the humanities approach.
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The
Sound of Waves - Yukio Mishima
Suggested Time:
Twelve classroom periods - 2 or 3 weeks.
Performance
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Read and analyze
a major modern Japanese novel providing them with multiple perspectives
with which to view Japanese culture
Materials:
The Sound of Waves by Yukio Mishima, Pedigree Press, a division of Putnam,
1956.
Teacher Background
This unit contains 12 lessons which are organized around the following
guiding questions:
- Who are the Japanese?
(Lessons 1, 12)
- How has the geography
of Japan influenced the economic choices and livelihood of the Japanese?
(Lessons 2, 9)
- How does the geography
of Japan influence Japanese social customs and personal psychology?
(Lessons 3,5,11)
- How has the Japanese
reliance on the environment determined the nature of their religion?
(Lesson 4)
- In what way has
the geographical isolation of the Japanese affected their world view?
(Lessons 6, 8)
- How does the climate
of Japan influence the outcome of events in the novel? (Lessons
7,10,11)
- How does the Sound
of Waves reflect key aspects of Japanese culture? (Lesson
12)
Vocabulary
A teaching strategy should be devised to help students understand
and develop a strong vocabulary. Vocabulary words used throughout this
unit include:
plummet
scrutiny extinguish implacable parapet apprehend prey |
promontory bestow crestfallen forte filch
dapple taciturn hinder consummate |
crimson
ashen
serene
reverberation
incantation
uncanny
deity
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intervene intoxication perfunctory topography
taboo opulence squalid |
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