Unpacking the First Two Chapters of 'Burial Rites'

• English
• Secondary Education

Unpacking the First Two Chapters of 'Burial Rites'

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you should be able to analyze the first two chapters of 'Burial Rites' by Hannah Kent.

Introduce the learning objective to the students and explain what they will be able to do by the end of the lesson.

What do you already know about the novel 'Burial Rites'?

Introduction to 'Burial Rites'

Set in 19th century Iceland, 'Burial Rites' tells the story of a woman named Agnes who has been convicted of murder and sentenced to death. The novel is based on true events.

Provide some context for the novel and its setting.

Chapter One: Agnes's Arrival

Agnes arrives at Kornsá, the farm where she will be held until her execution. She meets the family who lives there and begins to settle in.

Summarize the events of chapter one and highlight any important details.

Chapter One: Key Quotes

'They said I must die. They said that I stole the breath from men, and now they must steal mine.' - Agnes
'We had forgotten the details that make a person up: the breath of the hair and the cold from the skin, the wandering lines of the hands and the eyes that look back at you.' - Tóti

Provide some key quotes from chapter one and ask the students to analyze them.

Chapter Two: Flashbacks

Agnes has flashbacks to the events leading up to the murder. We learn more about her past and her relationship with Natan, the man she is accused of killing.

Summarize the events of chapter two and highlight any important details.

Chapter Two: Key Quotes

'I am leaving because I have to fight simultaneously against the whispers of longing for family and the practical deadness that comes from losing them.' - Agnes
'It was something else, something I had never felt before. It was the sense that I was a part of something, that I belonged somewhere.' - Agnes

Provide some key quotes from chapter two and ask the students to analyze them.

Agnes's Characterization

Agnes is a complex character who is both sympathetic and mysterious. She is accused of a terrible crime, but we also see her vulnerability and her desire for connection.

Discuss Agnes's characterization and ask the students to share their own thoughts and feelings about her.

The Setting

The novel takes place in Iceland in the 19th century. The harsh landscape and difficult living conditions play an important role in the story.

Discuss the setting of the novel and ask the students to consider how it affects the characters and the plot.

Themes

Some of the themes explored in the novel include: death, isolation, gender roles, and justice.

Discuss the themes of the novel and ask the students to share their own interpretations and ideas.

Symbolism

The novel contains several symbols, including: the color blue, the sheep, and the execution site.

Discuss the symbolism in the novel and ask the students to consider what these symbols might represent.

Character Relationships

There are several important relationships in the novel, including: Agnes and Natan, Agnes and Margrét, and Agnes and Tóti.

Discuss the relationships between the characters and ask the students to analyze how they affect the plot.

Writing Style

Hannah Kent's writing style is both poetic and stark. She uses vivid imagery to bring the landscape and characters to life.

Discuss the writing style of the novel and ask the students to consider how it affects their reading experience.

Discussion Questions

1. What do you think of Agnes so far? Do you believe she is guilty of the murder she is accused of?
2. How does the setting of the novel affect the story?
3. What themes do you think will be explored in the rest of the novel?

Provide some discussion questions for the students to consider and ask them to share their thoughts and ideas.

Interactive Element: Character Analysis

Divide the students into small groups and assign each group a character from the novel (Agnes, Natan, Margrét, Tóti, etc.). Ask them to analyze the character's motivations, relationships, and role in the story.

Provide instructions for the interactive element and give the students time to work in their groups.

Interactive Element: Timeline

Create a timeline of the events leading up to the murder and the trial. Ask the students to work in pairs to fill in the timeline with important dates and events.

Provide instructions for the interactive element and give the students time to work in their pairs.

Interactive Element: Symbolism

Choose one of the symbols from the novel (the color blue, the sheep, the execution site, etc.) and ask the students to create a visual representation of it. They can use any medium they like (drawing, painting, collage, etc.).

Provide instructions for the interactive element and give the students time to work on their visual representations.

Interactive Element: Creative Writing

Ask the students to choose a scene from the first two chapters and rewrite it from a different character's point of view. They can choose any character they like and should try to add depth and complexity to their interpretation.

Provide instructions for the interactive element and give the students time to work on their creative writing.

Conclusion

Summarize what the students have learned in the lesson and encourage them to continue reading the novel. Remind them of the learning objective and ask for any final questions or comments.

Conclude the lesson and provide any final guidance or feedback for the students.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.