In this task, you will work to answer the following essential question: How can a novel’s comment on the human experience be communicated through an artistic medium? Using one of our focus texts from this school year (The Book Thief, The Importance of Being Earnest, OR Of Beetles and Angels) you will creatively demonstrate the connection between a thematic idea in the work and the literary elements that contribute to it (e.g., characterization, setting, symbolism).
While you are working on this assignment, keep in mind that you are looking for what the author is saying about the human experience (theme) and what tools he uses to convey that idea. Once you’ve finished reading Of Beetles and Angels this cycle, you will select your favorite text and begin this task where you are asked to consider the theme and literary elements and create a piece of art that demonstrates that theme through literary elements such as characterization, setting, and symbolism.
TASK 1: You will create a visual product that expresses your analysis, argument, and/or point of view. Select a format for your visual product that will best allow you to communicate your argument and conclusions. Formats could include a painting, poster, picture book, a decorated box with sides representing various components of analysis, a mask that is decorated/painted to symbolize certain aspects of the novel, etc.
INSTRUCTIONS: Create a visual product using the instructions provided above. Then, submit a video (tangible piece of art) or screencast (digital piece of art) providing a brief explanation of your piece of artwork and how it illustrates theme and literary elements (such as characterization, setting, symbolism, etc.) from your chosen focus text.
TASK 2: You will then write an artistic statement to accompany your visual that clearly and effectively supports the analysis of theme(s) presented in the product. The artistic statement should clearly explain the innovative decisions that have shaped the design and provide convincing evidence from the text in support of the thesis. The artistic statement should be double spaced and approximately 600-700 words.