Exploring the Taboos in Notes on a Scandal

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 5

Exploring Taboos in Notes on a Scandal

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the taboos explored in Notes on a Scandal and understand its significance as a modern literary work.

Introduce the lesson objective and emphasize its importance as a learning outcome.

What do you already know about modern literature and taboos?

Introduction

Notes on a Scandal is a novel by Zoë Heller that explores taboo subjects such as age differences, same-sex relationships, and manipulative behavior.

Give a brief introduction to the novel and its themes.

Characters

The novel focuses on the relationships between two female characters, Barbara and Sheba. Barbara is a lonely and manipulative teacher, while Sheba is a married art teacher who has an affair with a student.

Introduce the main characters and their roles in the novel.

Taboo #1: Age Differences

One of the main taboos explored in the novel is the age difference between Sheba and her student lover, which is seen as inappropriate and illegal.

Explain the concept of age difference as a taboo, and provide examples from the novel.

Taboo #2: Same-Sex Relationships

Another taboo explored in the novel is the same-sex relationship between Barbara and Sheba, which is seen as scandalous and immoral.

Discuss the concept of same-sex relationships as a taboo, and provide examples from the novel.

Taboo #3: Manipulative Behavior

The novel also explores the taboo of manipulative behavior, as Barbara tries to control Sheba and her actions throughout the story.

Explain the concept of manipulative behavior as a taboo, and provide examples from the novel.

Significance as Modern Literature

Notes on a Scandal is considered a modern literary work due to its exploration of contemporary themes and its use of complex characters and narrative techniques.

Explain the importance of the novel as a modern literary work.

Conclusion

By exploring taboo subjects and using innovative storytelling techniques, Notes on a Scandal provides a unique perspective on modern literature.

Summarize the main points of the lesson and encourage students to reflect on what they have learned.

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.

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.

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.