House of Mirth Lesson Plan

Postscript

Kind of Activity:

Creative Writing

Objective:

Students will be able to write a creative piece in the style of Edith Wharton imagining events past the end of the novel

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.3, LITERACY.W.11-12.4

Structure:

The novel ends with a hint that Selden knows for the first time the extent of Gerty's love for him. In this activity, students should write a 250- to 400-word creative postscript to the book that imagines the next chapter of Gerty and Selden's relationship. Would they relate to each other differently now with Lily gone? What would each be able to express to the other that might have been inexpressible before?

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