With a partner, each write (in private) about one of the two characters. For him and her, discuss Who, What, Where, and When. After you share your writing with your partner, discuss Why the painter, Grant Wood, depicted the two characters this way.
Daniella: "My name is Mahero. I have been married since I was 17 years old to a man who was 10 years older than me. It was int he 50's when the government decided to sell our lands to a big company, saying it was a way of increasing income and employment. I wondered what that meant. I mean, how was selling our land and sacrificing be better for other projects? Weren't we worthy enough? I remember that day like it was yesterday. They made us stand in front of our house. At first, I refused. How could I be advertising something that could kill us emotionally? But it was a condition that they said was going to help us after the sale. I cried the whole night after that day as I thought it would be the end of my life as that was the only life I knew. That was the only thing that could make my husband forget about me and let me live."
Basil: "I'm the boss of the family. My name is Adrious. I live with my family. We have a farm of chickens. Every Monday of the week we move the tractor out. On that picture of my wife and me, it was on a Monday morning before we started our weekly jobs on the farm."
Consolate: "I am Alex. It is 9:00 a.m. I am a lawyer. My customer has a conflict with her husband. She wants to study for her master's. Her husband refuses without a good reason."
Stephie: "My name is Danielle. I am a traditional lady and I have a husband whose name is Ken. He is a farmer and he is 60 years old. This is summertime and in summer we have many activities in the field. Now it is 7:00 a.m. Time to go to the field. I'm angry every morning when I go to work because it's not my dream to work in the field. My dream is to be a nurse."
Frank: "I am Kathy. I've living in Portland with my brother. I am 54 years old and I am very angry because my brother and I have abad relationship at this time. The problem is that we are not agreeing with each other about our farm."
Michael: "I am Paul Ndayishimiye. I'm an old man. I am 75 years old. I'm retired since 1975. I like flowers and snowflakes. I'm a Christian. I am outside my house with my wife, Suzane Nzomukunda. It was June 30, 1995. I coming to work in my garden. I'm a cultivator with my lovely wife and now we are going to work. We are so tired."
Watson and the Shark - group writing
Each person in the group picks a character from the painting, by John Singleton Copley. In private, write what is happening in the painting from your character's point-of-view. Be sure to include Who, What, Where, and When in your writing. Share writings with each other, in turn, and discuss Why the artist portrayed this scene as he did.
Background on painting
