Professor Jason Witt

Book Club #3:  Focus on Plot and Setting

 

Write a literature letter to your book club, discussing your reactions to the book so far and focusing particularly on the plot and/or setting of the book.

 

In the first paragraph describe the setting of the novel.  Where and when does the story take place?  Discuss the importance of the setting to what happens in the novel.  If the setting were different, would I have any affect on what happens?

 

In the second paragraph discuss the plot of the novel.  What is the major conflict the main character faces?  Tell some of the things that have happened to the character so far.  If you have finished the book, do not reveal how the novel ends.  Leave your Book Club members wanting to read the book for themselves. 

 

 

SAMPLE BOOK CLUB LETTER:  PLOT AND SETTING

 

 

Dear Book Club,

In The House on Mango Street, Esperanza and her family, after several moves, finally have a house of their own.  However, it is not the house that Esperanza has always dreamed of.  The house is too small for six people, and it is falling apart, but it fits right in with the other houses on Mango Street.  Mango Street is located in a barrio in Chicago, Illinois, in a poor Mexican-American neighborhood. 

The setting of Mango Street allows us to see all the problems that can arise in a poor neighborhood.  Each vignette draws a picture of a new conflict for the reader.  The conflicts show us the poverty, desperation, sexism, lack of a “belonging” feeling, the desire to escape, yet sometimes the sheer happiness and joy of childhood. Early in the story, Esperanza becomes friends with Lucy and Rachel by giving them $5.00 to help purchase a bike.  The three hilariously ride the street together.  Another time they put on high heels and walk the streets, take the shoes off and never wear them again. Another short chapter tells about Sally whose father beats her; Sally ran away and married before she finished eighth grade, but she then had a husband who was cruel to her. The story begins with Esperanza and her family moving to Mango Street into a run down little house.  Esperanza was not happy with the house or the street.  The story ends as as Esperanza continues to dream of leaving Mango Street behind her, but she plans on coming back for those who are not so strong.

 

Maria