Far from the Madding Crowd Lesson Plan

Name Symbolism

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

Students will research the biblical stories behind Gabriel and Bathsheba's names, and will discuss and predict what the allusions may mean for the story.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.4, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.5, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.1

Structure:

Hardy's original audience of Victorian England would have been thoroughly familiar with biblical stories and references. Students who are familiar with the Bible will notice biblical allusions frequently throughout the book, with some of them more important to the theme than others. Two key allusions are Gabriel and Bathsheba's names....