Unleash the Magic of Diverse Literature: Pairing Short Texts with Longer Works.

In our classrooms pairing unconventional shorter texts from diverse authors alongside longer works can be a powerful strategy for cultivating thematic interest among students. The inclusion of shorter texts written by underrepresented voices can spark curiosity, provide diverse perspectives, and encourage critical thinking. These texts may include poems, short stories, newspaper articles, or even song lyrics. All of which allow students to explore themes from various cultural, ethnic, and social angles. Embracing this approach not only enriches students\’ understanding but also nurtures empathy, while subtlety promoting inclusivity in your classroom.

So I\’d like to talk about how I go about pairing 4 shorter texts with longer works. First we\’ll discuss pairing Daniel Orozco\’s classic work of satire \”Orientation\” with Jon Krakauer\’s Into the Wild. Then, and perhaps most unconventionally, we\’ll discuss pairing Zora Neale Hurston\’s folk tale \”Spunk\” with The Great Gatsby. Lastly, we\’ll discuss pairing Alice Walker\’s \”The Flowers\” with Billie Holiday\’s haunting masterpiece of a song in \”Strange Fruit\” as support for To Kill a Mockingbird.

Pairing Orozco\’s \”Orientation\” with Into the Wild

Pairing Daniel Orozco\’s biting and edgy satirical \”Orientation\” (here\’s a link—if you haven\’t read it, do so before reading on, you\’ll love it!) with Jon Krakauer\’s compelling non-fiction book Into the Wild creates a thought-provoking literary combination that explores themes of isolation, identity, and ethical dilemmas. \”Orientation\” immerses readers in the mundane yet isolated world of office workers, shedding light on the alienation and disconnection experienced by its characters. In contrast, \”Into the Wild\” follows the true story of Chris McCandless, who seeks solitude and self-discovery in the Alaskan wilderness. By comparing these works, teachers can initiate discussions about the universal human need for connection and the boundaries society imposes on individuals. McCandless finds relief in the transformative power of nature while the denizens of the office space in \”Orientation\” are simply…lost.

Students LOVE \”Orientation.\” It will remind them a lot of their favorite episodes of The Office. I\’ve asked students to recommend their favorites, and we watch to make comparisons with Orozco\’s foundational work of satire. Best of all, the story perfectly illustrates the type of adult world that Chris McCandless was fleeing by dropping everything and heading west.

How Pairing \”Orientation\” Works

Typically I introduce \”Orientation\” during those middle chapters of Into the Wild that delve into Chris\’s family history. Click the image below to see my $3.00, 2 day long lesson on \”Orientation.\” You can definitely get more than 2 days out of this classic short story especially if you think about showing an episode or two of The Office. Ultimately, this pairing provides students with a chance to foster a deeper understanding of the intricacies of the human condition. Keep in mind while Chris McCandless knew what awaited him in the adult world, our teenage students are still a little too optimistic. Fortunately, Daniel Orozco is here to teach them a little bit of the cynicism that drove Chris on his ultimate journey.

Pairing Zora Neale Hurston\’s \”Spunk\” with The Great Gatsby

I\’ll be perfectly up front: click the link below and get a copy of my 2 day long lesson on Zora Neale Hurston\’s \”Spunk\” for FREE! I\’d love for you to try my work out, and take a look around my store. A review wouldn\’t hurt either! Now what\’s this about pairing \”Spunk\” with The Great Gatsby?

Well…two men fight over a woman who seems to have very little of her own agency. Some tragic deaths happen. Which story am I talking about? Both of course!

Pairing Zora Neale Hurston\’s \”Spunk\” with F. Scott Fitzgerald\’s \”The Great Gatsby\” offers a fascinating exploration of themes across time and cultural perspectives. Both stories delve into the complexities of desire, social dynamics, and the pursuit of the American Dream. While \”The Great Gatsby\” presents the decadence of 1920s America, \”Spunk\” portrays the struggles and aspirations of African Americans in the early 20th century. By studying these texts side by side, students can analyze how various social contexts shape characters\’ motivations, choices, and ultimate fates. Is Spunk Banks the Tom Buchanan of the incorporated township of Eatonville, entirely populated and governed by African Americans? Is Joe Kanty like Jay Gatsby feeling the woman he loves slip away due to the power of Spunk? Substitute the God-like gaze of Dr. Eckleburg for some good old fashioned superstition and we\’ve got a comparison going!

Pairing Inclusivity and Diversity for Short Texts and Longer Works

Furthermore, the pairing of \”Spunk\” and \”The Great Gatsby\” highlights the significance of diverse voices in literature. Zora Neale Hurston\’s unique perspective as a Black woman provides a counterpoint to the predominantly white, maleness of Fitzgerald\’s novel. Her use of dialect and regionalism is a stark contrast to the mid west sensibilities of Fitzgerald. Exploring the themes of race, gender, and social class in both texts encourages students to engage in critical discussions about privilege, marginalization, and the intersections of identity.

It is important to value the narrative voice of Hurston. For many years she was not respected as an important figure in American Literature. My lesson also includes a link and viewing guide to a PBS documentary on her life. She is a fascinating figure and every bit as important to American literature as Fitzgerald. I love pairing the short text of Spunk with the longer work of The Great Gatsby because students can see not only how themes can develop similarly across different genres, but also across different cultures. Plus students love this one. They never see the ending coming.

Pairing Alice Walker\’s \”The Flowers\” and Billie Holiday\’s \”Strange Fruit\” with To Kill a Mockingbird

If you haven\’t listened to Billie Holiday\’s \”Strange Fruit\” do yourself a favor and head over to Youtube!

It seems To Kill a Mockingbird will be forever taught to our 9th and 10th graders. Sure it\’s a great book, but I\’ve always felt we can do more for our students. Think of the chapter where the men come to the jail to lynch Tom. It\’s a great scene where Scout inadvertently saves the day. Yet what of their intentions? How would the African American community have been affected if those men were successful in their intent? When we think of pairing short texts with longer works sometimes we need to get creative and remember the classics.

Pairing Alice Walker\’s \”The Flowers\” with Billie Holiday\’s haunting song \”Strange Fruit\” provides a powerful means to explore the theme of lynching. Walker\’s poignant short story introduces students to the innocence of a young girl who encounters the dark reality of racial violence. By connecting this narrative with Billie Holiday\’s chilling rendition of \”Strange Fruit,\” which vividly depicts the horrors of lynching, teachers can foster a deeper understanding of the historical context and emotional impact of racial injustice. This pairing encourages students to confront the brutal realities of racism and emphasizes the importance of empathy and social justice. While Atticus delivers empathy in the courtroom, our students benefit so much when we let black voices speak truth too.

One Lesson Pairing for Both Stories

The combination of both also underscores the significance of art in confronting difficult subjects and promoting social change. Both works use the power of storytelling and music to shed light on the atrocities of racial violence. By engaging with these texts, students consider the impact of artistic expression in shaping public awareness and promoting empathy. This pairing not only enriches students\’ literary experience but also encourages critical thinking, compassion, and a commitment to challenging injustice.

Clicking the link below will take you to my lesson on \”The Flowers\” that includes comparisons with \”Strange Fruit.\” I typically deliver this lesson before Chapter 15 of To Kill a Mockingbird.

Lessons Learned in Pairing Shorter Texts with Longer Works

If your school is anything like mine, you have little choice in the longer works you teach. Rather than worrying about that, thrive in the spaces between chapters. Think about how a song, a poem, a short story, or a tv show can enhance your students\’ understanding, empathy, and sense of inclusivity. I really hope you enjoyed these ideas. They\’ve worked wonders in my classroom and in the coming months I hope to share more ways to think about pairing shorter texts with longer works in the coming months. Go forth and teach!