with

PASS ObjectivesOklahoma State Department of Education PASS objectivesStandard 3: Literature - The student will read, construct meaning, and

respond to a wide variety of literary forms.2. Literary Elements - Demonstrate knowledge of literary elements and techniques and

show how they affect the development of a literary work. a. Describe and analyze elements of fiction including plot, conflict, character, setting,

theme, mood and point of view with emphasis on how they are addressed and resolved.

b. Explain how an author's viewpoint or choice of a narrator affects the characterization and the tone, plot, mood and credibility of a text.

c. Analyze characters' traits by what the characters say about themselves in narration, dialogue, and soliloquy (when they speak out loud to themselves).

NCTE Objectives1.  Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of

texts, of themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works.

NBCT StandardsProposition 2: Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those subjects to students.

•Physical- What does the character look like? How do the character’s physical attributes play a role in the story? How does the character feel about his or her physical attributes? How does the character change physically during the story? How do these changes affect the character’s experience?

What can we learn from these characters? What traits does the

character possess?

• Intellectual- How would you describe this character’s intelligence? What does this character know? How does this character’s intellect compare to others in the story? Is this character smart enough to thrive in the world in which he or she lives? What does this character learn as the story develops?

•Emotional- How does this character feel most of the time? How do his or her feelings change throughout the story? How does this character feel about himself or herself? When faced with challenges in the story, what emotions come up for this character?

• Social- How does this character get along with other characters in the story? Who does this character choose for friends and why does this character choose them? Where does this character stand in the social order? How does this character’s social standing affect events in the story?

• Philosophical- What does this character believe about the way life is? What are these beliefs based on? How do these beliefs affect the choices this character makes? How do those beliefs change throughout the story? Do others in the story share these beliefs?

Static Character

Stock Character

Minor Characters

Existential Character

Hero/Heroine

Anti-hero

Narrator

Developing Character aka dynamic character

Flat Character

Foil Character

Round Character

By: Charlotte Perkins Gilman

•Regarded as an important early work of American feminist literature•Illustrates attitudes toward 19th century women’s physical and mental health

*Link to Additional Information

John– The

husband

How are these characters developed throughout the story? Who are the main characters and why?

Narrator Jennie– John’s sister

Woman in the Wallpaper

This is a scene from a theatre production of “The Yellow Wallpaper”

The woman trapped in the

wallpaper!

What characters in the story do you sympathize with?

What are some character traits that you have that characterize who you are?

1.In assigned groups, list the main characters from the story, tell what type of character, and list at least six different character traits for each. Discuss how the characters are developed.

2.Class discussion.

3.Write a personal character analysis essay expressing your character traits and how they make you who you are in society. (homework)

“The Yellow Wallpaper” represents Gilman’s own perspective on the treatment of mental illnesses during the 19th century and the role of the woman in society.

Discover why Gilman wrote “The Yellow Wallpaper” and how society has changed its view toward the mentally ill since the 19th century. The website link provided can give more insight into Gilman and many other female authors.