Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man
WebQuest
Created by:
elise b., Charlie E., Aaron D.
May 23, 2000

Graphic from: http://web.new.ufl.edu/~kershner/port.html


 

INTRODUCTION: Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man is about the reflection of Stephan Dedalus’s life and progression into a man. Your task will be to follow his progression concurrently with your reading of the novel.


 

TASK 1:Your first task correlates with the beginning of the novel. Thinking and acting as a young child, you must finger paint a "moo" cow after researching sites which will put you in the accurate frame of mind for completing the task.

Resources:

COW: FINGERPAINTING:
 
http://www.cyg.net/~ljordan/pictures.html http://stlawu.edu/~thaul/finger.html
The Unofficial Cow and Chicken Page http://www.fingerpainter.com/ladies.htm
http://www.nwlink.com/~persiank/pkmoo1.html(this is a moo cow site) http://www.kidzdraw.com/shapes.htm

Process:

  1. Go online and research the pictures of cows
  2. Print out picture or simply get ideas by viewing them
  3. Obtain; paint materials, approved place to paint, smocks, and paper
  4. Open paints and set up materials (put smock on)
  5. Paint a moo cow with fingers
  6. Put the picture where it can dry undisturbed
  7. Clean up both the area and yourself
8) Bring the picture in when its due date arrives Evaluation:Students will be evaluated as such:

POINTS Criteria

5. Picture of cow, handed in on time, done in paints (hopefully noticeably fingers), reminds one of children’s work and reflecting a child’s frame of mind
  1. Picture of cow, on time, done in other media (not fingers), reflects artistry of cow, yet not necessarily a child’s artistry.
  1. Picture of cow, one day late, done in paints (hopefully noticeably fingers), reminds one of children’s work and reflecting a child’s frame of mind
  1. Picture of cow, two days late, done in paints (same criteria as points 3 and 5)
Or

Picture done in paints, yet no discernable cow form or arguable presence of cow (too young of a child therefore missing the age of Stephen at the moo cow stage.
  1. Picture of cow, three days late (criteria as 2, 3, and 5)
Or

Picture not in paint, not discernable as a cow nor arguably a cow (similar to point 2)
  1. Picture turned in beyond three days late (save for absences)
Or

Picture not completed

Or

Picture not handed in at all
 
 

 

TASK 2: Your second task on the road to understanding the book is to analyze Stephen Dedalus’s name. What are the origins of "Dedalus?" Is it an appropriate name, and, if so how appropriate? Use events from the book and knowledge of the origins of the name to rate its appropriateness on a scale of one to ten. Make connections between the two characters and support your rating with evidence.

Resources:
 
Daedalus: Mythical Architect and Sculptor Labyrinth of Knossos
 Daedalus and the Minotaur  

Process:

  1. Using the resources provided, proceed to gather information about the ancient Greek Daedalus.
  2. Using the information you find, select some sections of the book and relate your information to Stephen at these points. For example, are there any similarities between the Greek Daedalus and Stephen? Does Joyce use aspects of Daedalus symbolically? Make any connections you can, and be creative!
  3. Using your connections, rate the appropriateness of Stephen’s last name on a scale of one to ten.
  4. Write a minimum of one page explaining why you chose your rating.
Evaluation:
  1. Chosen rating is well supported by information about both Daedalus and Stephen. Connections between the two are insightful and illuminating. Explanation displays a thorough understanding of the book.
  1. Chosen rating is supported, but not as well as one receiving a score of 5 would be. Evidence is a little less solid, but still good. Connections are less insightful. Explanation displays an understanding of the book.
  1. Chosen rating is supported, but with an average amount of evidence. Connections drawn are obvious, but logical. Some understanding of the book is displayed.
  1. Chosen rating is weakly supported by shaky evidence. Connections are tenuous and/or have little to do with the book. Explanation displays an understanding of the book as might be gained from skim reading it.
  1. Chosen rating is not supported with any evidence from the book. Connections do not make sense and are unreasonable and unfounded. Explanation displays no understanding of the book.
0 No attempt made to complete the task

 
TASK 3:Your final task is to aid you in fully understanding the latter part of the novel. In this section James Joyce fully utilizes the literary technique of stream of consciousness. In order to completely immerse yourself in this technique you will be required to write a one page stream of consciousness essay, after you have researched enough to understand what stream of consciousness is and what it tries to achieve.
 
  Resources:
 
Stream of Consciousness from Encarta Stream of Consciousness from Encyclopedia .com
Work in Progress: a James Joyce Website
Process:

1) Using access to the internet, proceed to locate websites which pertain to both stream of consciousness as well as James Joyce.

2) Peruse these websites and dictate which information will aid you in understanding both stream of consciousness and Joyce’s use of it.

3) Evaluate how Joyce’s use of stream of consciousness lends itself to the successfulness of his novel, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man.

4) When you feel you have fully realized Joyce’s intentions, write your of stream of consciousness on the topic of whatever may be on your mind.

5) Complete the above in the time allotted and in the most complete fashion. Work quickly but carefully in order to be as efficient as possible.
 
 

 Evaluation:

Late assignments will be reduced in mark as reflected in the criteria below

5 A perfect understanding of stream of consciousness which proves that the student actually researched the subject and went the extra step to achieve greatness. The students own stream of consciousness essay should express the guidelines that they gained while researching both stream of consciousness and James Joyce’s use of it. The assignment should be turned in with prompt and punctual fashion.

4 Assignment illustrates a complete understanding of the literary technique with limited flaws. The student’s own stream of consciousness follows the material he or she learned while researching James Joyce’s use of stream of consciousness. This mark may be due to tardiness or lack of focus, which still yielded an above average product.

3 An average illustration of the assignment. This understanding is unrefined however and there exists only a smidgen of proof that any research was performed. This lack of support still yields a decent final product. This mark may be given to individuals who turn in the assignment well after the due date but still produced a satisfactory outcome.

2 A below average attempt at completing the assignment. This mark is given to students who don’t particularly make an effort to complete the assignment in an effective matter. Their stream of consciousness paper is not developed and it appears that they did not understand what the task was. This mark may be given to individuals who turn in the paper a long while after the due date but still do what the assignment required.

1 A very poor interpretation of what stream of consciousness is, clearly not supported by any form of research. The students own essay does not fit the guidelines. An overall sense of apathy surrounds the students work. He or she made no attempt to work efficiently and did not complete the assignment in the allotted time.

0 No attempt made to complete the project.

 

CONCLUSION:After successfully completing the afore-mentioned tasks you should be able to:

1) understand stream of consciousness

2) understand Joyce’s heritage and its impact upon his work

3) appreciate the progression of the novel as well
 
 
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