David Copperfield Lesson Plan

Social Class and Character Relationships

Kind of Activity:

Classwide Discussion

Objective:

Students will study the Victorian social classes and analyze how these categories affect characters' relationships.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.2, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.9-10.6

Structure:

These chapters significantly develop one of the novel's key themes: Victorian social class hierarchy. Start the activity by asking students how they have noticed social class dynamics in these chapters. They will probably mention passages like Steerforth's dismissal of the working class's humanity, Mr. Peggotty's delight that he has...