Walden Lesson Plan

Criticism of Thoreau

Kind of Activity:

Individual Writing

Objective:

Students will consider a critical opinion of Thoreau from a New Yorker op/ed piece.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.6

Structure:

Distribute as a handout or using classroom technology Pulitzer Prize winner Kathryn Schulz's article Pond Scum on Henry David Thoreau and Walden: http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/10/19/pond-scum. This article evaluates the writer and his work in a harsh light. After reading, ask students to answer the following questions:

What are Schulz's criticisms of Thoreau? of Walden?

What is the basis of her opinion?

What diction does the article employ that...