Migrations seem to occupy a central part in the history of the English-speaking world: from the 17th century onwards, British setters went abroad looking for profit or seeking a better life in the colonies,prisoners were sent to Australia The USA slowly became a nation of Immigrants...
To what extent have the English-speaking countries been shaped by migrations ?
To what extent have the English-speaking countries been shaped by migrations ?
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Read carefully the text by Edward Said . How did he define exile ? Which feelings does it engender ? What makes people leave their country ? Explain the difference(s) between waves of migrations in the past and nowadays. Does exile still make sense according to the author? Then compare it to Colm Toibin's interview ( from 2'9 on ) : How does he define the experience and describe the process? Which impact does immigration have on the immigrants' life ? and their relationship with their family back home ? What is the "American Wake" ? What did he want to express with his novel Brooklyn ? Which devices did he use to reach his goal? drive.google.com/file/d/1U8VWy6V4UvluaBK-qYZM5OrFkpONTM2m/view?usp=sharing Are the two writers view echoed by Jacob Lawrence's art work ( see link below) ? Explain |
Why do people leave ?
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A/Listen to the song and find out who and to which events the singer is referring to (clues in the picture above + audio). Comment on the melody and say which feelings it conveys.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Qv_iOPCUybcxRKH_ruLqdYLKkoD5KalN/view?usp=sharing Refer to specific elements in the song to describe their travelling conditions. Identify the two parts of the song & comment on their differences as well as the effect such a structure produces. B/ Watch the two videos undeneath and say why the main characters had to leave their countries. How is the message conveyed by the two directors ? Which feelings are they trying to arouse among the viewers ? drive.google.com/file/d/1hXeOFdd6smOFtqahKvLGWX58fPPytqaF/view?usp=sharing drive.google.com/file/d/1aD_otIoVeZ5GqXFa1GRRw73VQt6bWC7S/view?usp=sharing C/ Study the extract from The Other Side of Truth |
Voyages.
Under these circumstance, it is fairly understandable that most migrants were and are willing to take risk to reach their destination.
Watch the trailer for In this World by Michael Winterbottom drive.google.com/file/d/1byKXxFutxgOH07MWeeVPUNbvhSWW-Iqn/view?usp=sharing
and study the pictures of The National Famine Memorial which sits at the foot of Croagh Patrick (County Mayo) and was crafted by John Behan. Analyse the documents carefully and say whether the conditions of the migrants have actually changed over the years. Give precise arguments to support your point of view .
Then turn to the except from The Buddha in the Attic and Enrique's Journey and say whether the crossing is depicted in a similar light.
Watch the trailer for In this World by Michael Winterbottom drive.google.com/file/d/1byKXxFutxgOH07MWeeVPUNbvhSWW-Iqn/view?usp=sharing
and study the pictures of The National Famine Memorial which sits at the foot of Croagh Patrick (County Mayo) and was crafted by John Behan. Analyse the documents carefully and say whether the conditions of the migrants have actually changed over the years. Give precise arguments to support your point of view .
Then turn to the except from The Buddha in the Attic and Enrique's Journey and say whether the crossing is depicted in a similar light.
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The Aeromexico commercial plays on the concept of borders and ostracism (= the action of intentionally not including someone in a social group or activity).
Say what the images suggest and how the voice over reinforces this feeling of being unwanted.
How do you understand the last sentence ( Excuse me I have a job to do ).
Discuss the aesthetic and topical choices of the advertisers. Why can it appeal (or repel ) potential customers ?
drive.google.com/file/d/1U8EVUdNNJ1mOWQRZVx8o_FsYzwwabzmC/view?usp=sharing
Say what the images suggest and how the voice over reinforces this feeling of being unwanted.
How do you understand the last sentence ( Excuse me I have a job to do ).
Discuss the aesthetic and topical choices of the advertisers. Why can it appeal (or repel ) potential customers ?
drive.google.com/file/d/1U8EVUdNNJ1mOWQRZVx8o_FsYzwwabzmC/view?usp=sharing
Lady Liberty
https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/immigration-timeline
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Study the poem by Emma Lazarus to find out more about the emblematic value of the Statue of Liberty for the migrants reaching the US.
Are the same feelings conveyed by the extract from Brooklyn ? |
A/ Watch the extract from the Godfather II ( Francis Ford Coppola-1974). How do the immigrants react when they see the statue of liberty?
drive.google.com/file/d/1xF4g-TOhFYAMMWp7nrTpW4iVNJ6F2bSH/view?usp=sharing
Why does the officer check the eyes of the young Vito when he lands on Ellis Island?
When he reaches the desk, what happens with the young boy’s name? What does that tell about the situation in Ellis Island?
What is the conclusion of the doctor when he examines him?
What must have been the first impression for those who were quarantined on the day of their arrival in the United States after spending a long time on a boat?
B/ Now compare this extract to the contents of the excerpt from The Immigrant by James Gray ( 2013). Which feelings are highlighted by the director ? How does he get his message through ?
drive.google.com/file/d/1Qv_iOPCUybcxRKH_ruLqdYLKkoD5KalN/view?usp=sharing
C/ listen to the song by the Corrs :drive.google.com/file/d/1lhfgwwTEyNYI16gveHOyvRqM6tSKxhOK/view?usp=sharing
list the elements linked to immigration and pick out expressions about the way immigrants felt about their new beginnings. Then comment on the choices made by the director in the video clip . What would you have changed ? What would you have kept ? Why ?
drive.google.com/file/d/1xF4g-TOhFYAMMWp7nrTpW4iVNJ6F2bSH/view?usp=sharing
Why does the officer check the eyes of the young Vito when he lands on Ellis Island?
When he reaches the desk, what happens with the young boy’s name? What does that tell about the situation in Ellis Island?
What is the conclusion of the doctor when he examines him?
What must have been the first impression for those who were quarantined on the day of their arrival in the United States after spending a long time on a boat?
B/ Now compare this extract to the contents of the excerpt from The Immigrant by James Gray ( 2013). Which feelings are highlighted by the director ? How does he get his message through ?
drive.google.com/file/d/1Qv_iOPCUybcxRKH_ruLqdYLKkoD5KalN/view?usp=sharing
C/ listen to the song by the Corrs :drive.google.com/file/d/1lhfgwwTEyNYI16gveHOyvRqM6tSKxhOK/view?usp=sharing
list the elements linked to immigration and pick out expressions about the way immigrants felt about their new beginnings. Then comment on the choices made by the director in the video clip . What would you have changed ? What would you have kept ? Why ?
ellis_island.docx | |
File Size: | 13 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Task ( pair work ) :
A/ In the song released in 1989 on his New York LP, Lou Reed expressed a slightly different view of the statue of liberty and the hopes it embodies . Explain the literary devices he used in order to convey his message.
drive.google.com/file/d/1wEYfrUuB7FHa0eHbhBUNpXTGAnICchQf/view?usp=sharing
B/ You have to make a video clip for this song . Present the script to the class and justify your choices.
A/ In the song released in 1989 on his New York LP, Lou Reed expressed a slightly different view of the statue of liberty and the hopes it embodies . Explain the literary devices he used in order to convey his message.
drive.google.com/file/d/1wEYfrUuB7FHa0eHbhBUNpXTGAnICchQf/view?usp=sharing
B/ You have to make a video clip for this song . Present the script to the class and justify your choices.
lou_reed-dirty_boulevard.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Melting pot or Salad Bowl *?
* the term "melting pot" appeared in 1908, in the title of a play by Israel Zangwill. It refers to a society where different cultures mix and merge into a homogeneous community, without always respecting cultural differences.
the " salad bowl refers to a society where different nationalities live next to one another, but keep components of their racial, religious and cultural heritage intact.
the " salad bowl refers to a society where different nationalities live next to one another, but keep components of their racial, religious and cultural heritage intact.
drive.google.com/file/d/1vPDitp1eYATE3WxjHxSRZyNFXoGNcfjg/view?usp=sharingA/ Read the text JFK wrote about immigration when he was still a congressman. How did he see the USA ? List the different waves of migration he mentions. Why did the immigrants choose to go to America ? What were they after ? What was their contribution to the country ? According to the text, can the US be regarded as a melting pot* ? Explain in your own words. Why did Kennedy feel so concerned about migration and integration ? B/ Describe the cartoon ( setting, characters) Explain the effect the Star-spangled banner has on the characters. Analyse the artist' s message. Discuss what the cartoon conveys about the challenges of building a new identity in the USA C/ Listen to Elia Kazan presenting his new film America, America. Sum up the contents of the presentation. How does he describe immigration to the US ? Are the views he expresses closer to the text or the cartoon ? Explain. drive.google.com/file/d/1vPDitp1eYATE3WxjHxSRZyNFXoGNcfjg/view?usp=sharing D/ Listen to the song by the Killers and pick out the issues expressed. Explain the chorus and interpret the lyrics. Describe the tone and the effect on the listeners. What is the band saying about integrating into American society ? drive.google.com/file/d/1OFGb1GAS1JCHuzp0i1aoVNCCXdKeKkwi/view?usp=sharing E/ Study the extract from Middlesex then decide whether the US is presented more like a melting pot or a salad-bowl. |
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Now watch the two videos underneath
drive.google.com/file/d/1SwohI-eStJywxOac3C-MQNoYk2pCKgs-/view?usp=sharing drive.google.com/file/d/14OkwUft8mWloGfwvIT8nEwWg-eNTeozo/view?usp=sharing Define their nature and sum up their contents. What does each document denounce about assimilation ? |
Dreams of a better life
This extract from West Side Story is probably the most emblematic of the musical and it presents a version of the American dream most immigrants could have related to in the 50s (and beyond).
drive.google.com/file/d/1J_g7WmKJgFtyr7OFt_tbfdUEguu7cfZO/view?usp=sharing Comment on the use of songs and danse to tackle such an issue. What can you notice about the way the characters express themselves . List the arguments given by the women and those given by the men. Analyse them and say whether they have the same vision of "America". |
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Watch the finale of Heaven's gate ( Michael Cimino- 1980)
drive.google.com/file/d/1lNLsa9nKEkpN2qBiqjUyeRzfny_5KBqK/view?usp=sharing and the trailer for America, America ( Elia Kazan-1963) drive.google.com/file/d/1ogy08sfmAhu6kfNTFzOZzIVuEeyT_ZEA/view?usp=sharing and say how each document presents immigration (comment on the elements of cinematography). What were the characters looking for ? Did they fulfill their dreams ? Which reality did they face ? How did they cope with it ? Are these feelings shared by the author and the characters of A Raisin in the Sun ? Explain ? drive.google.com/file/d/1U6pTQd2RDJnwHPeYzzx0Jx8VlHOfjQRH/view?usp=sharing |
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Welcoming newcomers.
drive.google.com/file/d/18jY3dhWbIPe6hdjHzMvJcaDKk_Mo1kHp/view?usp=sharingAlthough some countries such as the USA is home to a large number of immigrants, does it mean that people are more tolerant towards newcomers for it ? How do people feel towards migrants or refugees broadly speaking ?
First listen to what Michael Winterbottom says on the topic .drive.google.com/file/d/18jY3dhWbIPe6hdjHzMvJcaDKk_Mo1kHp/view?usp=sharing
Then study the excerpt from My Antonia.
First listen to what Michael Winterbottom says on the topic .drive.google.com/file/d/18jY3dhWbIPe6hdjHzMvJcaDKk_Mo1kHp/view?usp=sharing
Then study the excerpt from My Antonia.
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Now turn to the songs and poem below. In pairs, chose one of the songs or the poem and act out the interview of the song-writer or poetess. You should question them about their sources of inspiration, aim , devices used.... Make sure the interview doesn't sound artificial.
drive.google.com/file/d/1KVWhECu7Mc_9sQPfn1ahHDSg-bKKPzK1/view?usp=sharing
drive.google.com/file/d/11Sd3fYkqEZ8s_jdw8bgYD2nNrvJJ8Tij/view?usp=sharing
drive.google.com/file/d/1sYe7il7Y1gj0qaEL3RkdqV3OautrgoqI/view?usp=sharing
drive.google.com/file/d/1KVWhECu7Mc_9sQPfn1ahHDSg-bKKPzK1/view?usp=sharing
drive.google.com/file/d/11Sd3fYkqEZ8s_jdw8bgYD2nNrvJJ8Tij/view?usp=sharing
drive.google.com/file/d/1sYe7il7Y1gj0qaEL3RkdqV3OautrgoqI/view?usp=sharing
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What it takes to fit in
Study the texts below and compare what immigrants ( or their descendents) think it takes to be integrated and what it actually takes to adjust to the society you live in . Are all the experiences similar? What seems to be the main problem in each case ?
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some_years_later.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |
The title Americanah refers to an unflattering term used by Nigerians to describe other Nigerians who have spent time in the United States and come home with annoying American idiosyncrasies, such as carrying water bottles everywhere or complaining about the heat. In speech, the fourth syllable of the word (-ca-) is drawn out.
Task
Produce an annotated version of the song , using all the knowledge acquired all along this sequence to explain the cultural references to listeners who may not be as familiar as you are with the story of migrations.
drive.google.com/file/d/1OBs44NhknmvsSf3cunF_XPgrkpY_IY-U/view?usp=sharing
drive.google.com/file/d/1OBs44NhknmvsSf3cunF_XPgrkpY_IY-U/view?usp=sharing
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Extra material : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/feb/28/ireland-exile-culture
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