The Marriage of Figaro Lesson Plan

Acknowledging the Whiteness of Beaumarchais

Kind of Activity:

Collaborative Writing

Objective:

Students will complete a collaborative writing project making themes from the play accessible to nonwhite, modern readers

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.6

Structure:

This activity encourages students to explore the implications of the fact that the literary canon is dominated by white, male authors of European descent. While The Marriage of Figaro deals with the universal human themes of love, deceit, ego and betrayal, the setting is narrowly focused within the castle of a wealthy, white, European man. The...