" . . . Then I open the door and walk into their world. It is, as I always knew, made of cardboard. I have seen it before somewhere, this cardboard world where everything is coloured brown or dark red or yellow that has no light in it. As I walk along the passages I wish I could see what is behind the cardboard. They tell me I am in England but I don’t believe them. We lost our way to England. When? Where? I don’t remember, but we lost it." (p. 180-1)
 
 

Task 1: To understand the characteristics of Mr. Rochester, students will write a biography that simulates A&E’s Biography. To do this, students will need to have read Wide Sargasso Sea and have an understanding of Jane Eyre.

Resources:

• JEAN RHYS
• RHYS AND SOURCES ON JANE EYRE
• WIDE SARGASSO SEA LINKS
• MEYERS BRIGGS
• A&E BIOGRAPHY SITE
• WIDE SARGASSO SEA

1. Write a brief description (about a paragraph) characterizing Mr. Rochester in Wide Sargasso Sea, another characterizing him in Jane Eyre, and a final paragraph synthesizing the two assessments of Rochester.
2. Make a time line of important events in Rochester’s life bringing him from Wide Sargasso Sea and the Caribbean to Jane Eyre and England.
3. Using the Meyers Briggs web link assign a personality type to Rochester. Using examples from the novel explain your choice.
4. Finally, using the above steps and resources create a biography of Rochester. Narrate Rochester’s life using comments from those who knew him. These comments may be merely based on the character of others or actual quotes from the novel.

• STEP 1. = 10 pts.

• STEP 2. = 10 pts.

• STEP 3. =10 pts.

• STEP 4. = 20 pts.

Task 2:

• To research the culture and time period of the novel Wide Sargasso Sea in order to understand the theme and plot.
• To write an essay proving comprehension on the subject.
• To improve writing skills and practice for the AP test.

1. Research provided links on Caribbean culture and superstitions.
2. After reading the novel, highlight or take notes of sections where the culture and beliefs of the native people have had an impact on the course of action of the novel.
3. Write an essay that explains how the setting and culture of the Caribbean affect the actions of the characters. Be sure to include theme and plot in your analysis, as well as information acquired from researching the provided links.

The essay will be graded according to the AP rubric

• 8-9 These well-organized and mechanically sound essays clearly demonstrate an understanding of the poems and the thematic material they contrast. Essay must also incorporate information about Caribbean culture/superstition. There must also be a proper analysis of theme and plot.
• 6-7 These essays also demonstrate an understanding of the poems, but compared to the best essays, they are less thorough, or less precise in analyzing theme and plot.
• 5 These essays are, at best, superficial. Their handling of the elements in the prompt may be vague, mechanical, or inadequately supported.
• 3-4 These lower-half essays reflect an incomplete understanding of the question. Typically, they fail to respond adequately to part or parts of the question
• 1-2 These essays compound the weaknesses of the papers in the 3-4 range
• 0 This is a response with no more than a reference to the task.

Task 3:The students will use the resources and information provided to answer the 2000 AP English Test free-response question discussing Wide Sargasso Sea.

Resources: Students should utilize the resources above in addition to the College Board’s AP English Test web site at http://www.collegeboard.com/ap/english/html/write001.html

Process:

1. Students will read the 2000 AP English Test question
2. Students will follow the links and use the resources
3. Students will compose an answer to the question

The essay will be graded according to the AP rubric

• 8-9 These well-organized and mechanically sound essays clearly demonstrate an understanding of the poems and the thematic material they contrast.
• 6-7 These essays also demonstrate an understanding of the poems, but compared to the best essays, they are less thorough, or less precise in analyzing theme and plot.
• 5 These essays are, at best, superficial. Their handling of the elements in the prompt may be vague, mechanical, or inadequately supported.
• 3-4 These lower-half essays reflect an incomplete understanding of the question. Typically, they fail to respond adequately to part or parts of the question
• 1-2 These essays compound the weaknesses of the papers in the 3-4 range
• 0 This is a response with no more than a reference to the task.

"Working a stylistic range from moody introspection to formal elegance, Miss Rhys has us traveling under Antoinette’s skin. It is an eerie and memorable trip."

Return to Mr. Miller's Webquests