Significant Concepts:

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1 Victoria Sheppard and Amy Gozman Ruth and Naomi & Pandora Ruth and Naomi Characters: Ruth Loyal and Devoted Naomi Bitter and Lonely Boaz Caring and Protective Symbols: Famine Barley Significant Concepts: Loyalty Obedience Summary: Ruth is Naomi s daughter-in-law but soon after she marries into the family, Naomi s husband and her two sons die. Normally, once a daughter-in-law was widowed, she would return back to her own family. Instead, Ruth stayed with Naomi and traveled back to Bethlehem with her. They arrived back in the town of Bethlehem as the harvest was starting so Naomi sent Ruth to the fields to gather left over Barley. While in the fields Ruth finds favor with Boaz. Boaz takes pity on her and allows Ruth to gather Barley with his servant girls. As the harvest concludes, Boaz falls in love with Ruth and marries her; thus providing Naomi and her with shelter and support. Literary Samples: No, Miss Lucy Bertram while I live, I will not separate from you. I ll be no burden I have thought how to prevent that. But, as Ruth said unto Naomi, Entreat me not to leave thee, nor to depart from thee; for whither thou goest I will go, and where thou dwellest

2 I will dwell; thy people shall be my people, and thy God shall be my God. (Scott, Sir Walter. Guy Mannering. The Harvard Classics Shelf of Fiction ) She did not speak as a woman of the world would have spoken, with circumlocutions and attenuations of expression, but with that idyllic frankness with which Chloe spoke to Daphnis, and with the humility and the complete self-abandonment with which the daughter-in-law of Naomi offered herself to Boaz. (Valera, Juan. Pepita Jimenez. The Harvard Classics Shelf of Fiction ) Thou art a Ruth, who did for the love she bore to Naomi and to the Lord her God, leave Father and Mother and the Land of her Nativity, to come out, and go with a people that she knew not heretofore. (Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim s Progress. The Harvard Classics ) Ode to a Nightingale John Keats The self-same song that found a path Through the sad heart of Ruth, when sick for home She stood in tears amid the alien corn; The same that ofttimes hath Charm d magic casements, opening on the foam Of perilous seas, in faery lands forlorn. Along the great road, hard by, her imperial writ runs. They have never subscribed to the vow of Ruth, Thy people shall be my peopleand thy God my God. They dwell under the Pax Romana, not merely protected by it but as citizens. (Quiller-Couch, Sir Arthur. On the Art of Writing )

3 Pandora s Box Allusion Project Characters: Pandora-curious and impatient Epimetheus- foolish and trusting Prometheus- prudent and wise Zeus- vengeful and sly Hephaestus- crafty and clever Symbols: Women (as evil temptresses) An unopened box Thematic Concepts: Curiosity Temptation Revenge Trickery Creation Fallen Utopian Society

4 Evil Summary of Myth: When the world was young, only men existed. Prometheus and Epimetheus had created them. However, Zeus became angry with humanity and as an act of revenge he told Hephaestus to create Pandora, the first woman. She was bestowed with many gifts from the gods and was extremely beautiful. Zeus sent her to Epimetheus, who had been told by his brother Prometheus not to accept anything from Zeus even if it seemed a friendly gesture. Pandora was sent along with a box which she had been told to keep shut. She had no idea what was in it and at last her curiosity overcame her will. As she had been blessed with gifts from the gods, the box contained curses and afflictions. When she lifted the lid, sickness, sadness, anger, hunger and many more woes flew out. She quickly shut the lid, but the innocence of the world had already been tainted. Pandora heard a noise from inside the box and opened it once more; this time Hope flew out. Since that day, the world has been wretched and imperfect, but hope helps mankind go on with life. Literary Examples of Allusion: Box or Jar Joannie Kervran Stangeland How heated the discussion, as if the shape of disaster mattered. When thieves shrieked into this world the vessel became vestigial, a container of small consequence, an anonymous coffin for hope. I could picture a large pithos burned with images of gods and men, its clay lid heavy to lift. I could tell you it was a chest as small as a thimble, evil tightly packed.

5 Or why not say bottle, as in genii? What I remember best: the searing gust, a deafening rush, and the dread that our one good thing might be lost. What If Joannie Kervran Strangeland She eyes her companions on the margin, crone women with sweaters and shopping sacks, stray cats missing eyes, and men who sell papers by the store. Pandora feels the tight shawl of guilt drape her shoulders, wrap around her voice. Perhaps she was just a pawn, a pretty plaything of some Almighty, but she could have been the queen of second chances, proving beauty can pair with brains and people may learn from their mistakes. She didn t mean to ruin the world. When the wind shudders through her, regret makes a thin sweater. Again, she considers consulting that oracle, asking the mysterious for everyday advice. She reaches deeper into wool pockets, digs for any spare change. Sources:

6 Scott, Sir Walter. "Guy Mannering." Bartleby Jan 2009 < Valera, Juan. "Pepita Jimenez." Bartleby The Harvard Classics Shelf of Fiction. 22 Jan 2009 < Bunyan, John. "The Pilgrim s Progress." Bartleby The Harvard Classics Shelf of Fiction. 22 Jan 2009 < Quiller-Couch, Sir Arthur. "On the Art of Writing.." Bartleby Jan 2009 < "Ruth." BibleGateway.com. 22 Jan 2009 < Strangeland, Joannie Kervran. Box or Jar. Poetry on the Sofa. 22 Jan < Strangeland, Joannie Kervran. What If. Poetry on the Sofa. 22 Jan < Class Activity: Draw a box and place in it some of your fears or things that cause anxiety. Writing Prompt: Tell of a situation in which you have remained loyal and obedient and you were rewarded in the future.