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This course features one of America’s greatest 20th century authors, Ernest Hemingway, and his classic novella, “Old Man and the Sea,” published in 1951. 

The novel’s protagonist, an aged Cuban fisherman, Santiago, challenges nature and ends up in an epic adventure that brings man face-to-face with the circle of life. Long a successful fisherman, Santiago now faces a streak of eighty-four failed days at sea without a catch. Determined to bring back his days of glory, he decides to defy conventional limitations, with the hope of great rewards, and takes his skiff further out to sea than anyone before, where the largest catches await. The result is a story of pride, determination, struggle, capturing victory in defeat, and discovering life in death.  

Hemingway’s unique writing style is distinctive and stands out from the works of all other writers. His writing is simple, direct, and yet complex. His dialogue is known to be genuine, with characters expressing themselves as the reader would expect them to in reality. Hemingway’s background as a journalist trained him to be direct and factual, using his life experiences to bring novels alive.  When receiving the Novel Prize for Literature, the committee called Hemingway’s style "forceful and style-making mastery of the art of modern narration."

Students will watch the OMS movie between class 4-5 and compare/contrast the two.

Studying this classic work of literature will help students:

-Increase their vocabulary;
-Understand and identify elements of a plot; 
-Identify themes; 
-Use of symbolism;
-Understand the development of characters; 
-Using textual evidence to infer meaning;
-Syntax (the proper order of words in a phrase or sentence);
-How figurative language and other literary devices are used to enhance the reading experience.

All my classes are interactive where students are encouraged to ask questions, make observations, and share their thoughts and opinions. In other words, talking is welcome and expected! Classes are discussion based for an open exchange of ideas about the novel and how each student interprets it. Classes will include PowerPoint lectures, watching the movie version of the novel (outside of class), in-class assignments, in-class discussions, some assignments for homework to do while they read, and, of course, reading.

An overview of each class:

Lesson 1: An introduction of our author, Ernest Hemingway and his classic, Old Man and the Sea, will be covered in lesson 1. This class will include reviewing the author's biography, his style of writing, a vocabulary list pertinent to the next assigned reading, a brief summary of the book's plot, addressing potential themes, and symbolism for students to watch for as they read. 

Lesson 2: This lesson will cover Days 1 and 2 of Santiago’s adventure (chapters 1-2).  Included will be the vocabulary and the exposition elements of the novel (characters, setting, historical context, inciting incident, identification of the protagonist, etc.). For each day’s assigned reading of the novel the class will discuss and identify any symbolism and literary devices used by the author. 

Lesson 3: This lesson will cover Days 3-4. We will address vocabulary, rising action, character development, and more. In addition to the topics above, themes of the novel will be discussed.

Lesson 4: This lesson covers Day 5. We will address vocabulary, climax, falling action, resolution, character development, and wrap-up with analysis of story themes and symbolism.

Lesson 5: Finish discussion of the novel and compare/contrast the movie to the book. 

Amazon link to required edition of the novella:

https://www.amazon.com/Old-Man-Sea-Ernest-Hemingway/dp/0684801221/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

***Look for my other "College Prep Must-Read Book Series" selections available NOW on Outschool: 
      --George Orwell's "Animal Farm"
      --Ray Bradbury's "Fahrenheit 451."
      --Orwell's "1984"