Activity Overview
As you read Charles Dickens' classic Bildungsroman novel, Great Expectations have students keep track of the different elements of Bildungsroman literature and incorporate them into this chart.
Have students not only depict the scene, but explain how it is highlighting the characteristic of Bildungsroman literature. Teachers can customize the level of detail and number of cells required for projects based on available class time, differentiated learners, and resources.
Students will enjoy following Pip’s journey to maturity from his humble beginnings in the forge and tracking his progress through illustrations and descriptions.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard chart that tracks the different stages of Bildungsroman literature.
Student Instructions:
- Click “Start Assignment”.
- For each of the four stages of a Bildungsroman novel ("The Call", "The Apprenticeship, "Maturity", "Acceptance and Remedy") provide three examples or characteristics found in the novel.
- In the description box, write a short summary of each example.
- Create an illustration that represents each example using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
Lesson Plan Reference
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/3] Analyze how complex characters (e.g., those with multiple or conflicting motivations) develop over the course of a text, interact with other characters, and advance the plot or develop the theme
- [ELA-Literacy/RL/9-10/5] Analyze how an author’s choices concerning how to structure a text, order events within it (e.g., parallel plots), and manipulate time (e.g., pacing, flashbacks) create such effects as mystery, tension, or surprise
- [ELA-Literacy/SL/9-10/4] Present information, findings, and supporting evidence clearly, concisely, and logically such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and task
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bildungsroman Novel Characteristics | The 12 characteristics of a Bildungsroman novel are correctly identified and portrayed from the story. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, and are accurate and appropriate to the characteristic being depicted. | 8-10 characteristics of a Bildungsroman novel are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or some of the characteristics may not be identified correctly. The quotes and/or explanations give context to the scene, but may be minimal, and are mostly accurate for the characteristic being depicted. | Less than 8 characteristics of a Bildungsroman novel are correctly identified and portrayed from the story, or most of the characteristics are inaccurately depicted. The quotes and/or explanations are too minimal, or missing altogether. |
| Artistic Depictions | The art chosen to depict the scenes are accurate to the work of literature. Time and care is taken to ensure that the scenes are neat, eye-catching, and creative. | The art chosen to depict the scenes should be accurate, but there may be some liberties taken that distract from the assignment. Scene constructions are neat, and meet basic expectations. | The art chosen to depict the scenes is inappropriate. Scene constructions are messy and may create some confusion, or may be too limited. |
| English Conventions | Ideas are organized. There are few or no grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas are mostly organized. There are some grammatical, mechanical, or spelling errors. | Ideas may be disorganized or misplaced. Lack of control over grammar, mechanics, and spelling reflect a lack of proofreading. |
How To Explore Bildungsroman Stages
Introduce the Concept
Begin by introducing the concept of Bildungsroman novels to the students. Explain to them how these novels are the most popular form of literary fiction and are also known as “coming of age” stories. Explain some examples of well-known Bildungsroman novels that students are already familiar with such as “To Kill a Mockingbird” and tell them how these novels are associated with the journey and growth of the character.
Explore the Stages
After the introduction, explore the stages of the concept in detail. Tell the students how each stage correlates with a specific part of the novel and how they can identify and differentiate these stages. Teachers can also use visuals at this point to enhance their understanding.
Investigate Literary Devices
Pay close attention to the literary techniques the author uses to illustrate the many stages of the Bildungsroman. Ask the students to look for narrative devices like symbolism, foreshadowing, and pacing that increase the impact of the story.
Perform Comparative Analysis
Comparing the stages and themes of the Bildungsroman you are studying with those of other older or more recent Bildungsroman works may help you understand the genre better. Comparative analysis can highlight recurring themes and variances.
Make Self Bildungsroman Stories
Ask the students to create a short story where they will represent themselves as the main character and talk about any specific aspect of their life journey up til now according to the Bildungsroman stages. Students can be creative and add some exaggerated elements but the context should be based on their own lives.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bildungsroman Stages in Great Expectations
Explain the relationship of “Great Expectations” with the Bildungsroman genre.
Since it recounts the lives and growth of its protagonist, Pip, from his early years as an orphan through his maturity, "Great Expectations" matches the Bildungsroman subgenre. The story traces Pip's moral and emotional development as he gains knowledge of himself and his surroundings. Pip encounters all the stages that lead to his growth and development as any other character in a Bildungsroman novel.
What are Pip's major developmental phases in "Great Expectations"?
The main stages of Pip's growth in the book include his humble origins, his encounters with Estella and Miss Havisham, his unexpected rise in social rank, his disappointment, and his final self-realization.
How has Pip's interaction with Miss Havisham and Estella affected his growth?
Pip learns about the harsh reality of the upper class and the brutality of certain people via his interactions with Estella and Miss Havisham. His desire to behave properly and gain Estella's affection is fueled by this encounter, which paves the way for his moral and emotional development.
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