Literary conflicts are important for students to be able to identify as they read stories. The conflicts that the main character faces help drive the story forward. In this activity, students will create a storyboard illustrating examples of literary conflict in Midnight Without a Moon. Having students choose an example of each literary conflict is an excellent way to reinforce the lesson, and gives the students a chance to creatively show what they have learned.
Character vs. Character: Rose struggles with Ma Pearl. Ma Pearl is mean and abusive, and makes Rose feel awful about herself.
Character vs. Self: Rose suffers from extreme low self esteem due to her grandmother’s constant mocking of how dark her skin is.
Character vs. Nature: Rose suffers greatly due to the extreme Mississippi summer heat while working in the fields.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a 3 cell storyboard that describes and illustrates the literary conflicts in Midnight Without a Moon.
Student Instructions:
Begin the lecture by introducing the concept of internal conflicts. Explain to the students how character vs self conflict is a category of internal conflict and it addresses issues with identity, confidence, self-esteem, etc. Give students easier and relatable examples so they are able to understand these abstract concepts without much complexity.
Ask the students to list the important characters from "Midnight Without a Moon" who go through internal conflicts. Stress the importance of those who are overcoming personal obstacles, such as Rose Lee Carter. Teachers can first help students identify the types of conflicts characters are facing and then ask the students to narrow down the characters who are particularly facing internal conflicts.
The main character, Rose Lee Carter, struggles with a number of issues on the inside. Students can examine her challenges, including how she managed to balance her goals with the constraints placed on her by society and her family. Encourage reflection on topics such as confidence, self-esteem, and identity.
Talk about the impact of internal conflicts on the interactions between characters. Personal development, insight, or tension can result from characters' internal conflicts in their relationships with others. For instance, Rose’s Ma Pearl constantly makes her feel ugly by telling her that her skin is darker than others and treats her poorly which impacts Rose’s perception of herself.
Encourage the students to follow the characters' growth as they are presented in the book. Ask the students questions such as “Throughout the narrative, how do the internal conflicts of the characters impact their development or transformation?”
Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement served as a historical and social backdrop that impacted the lives and struggles of the characters in the narrative, intensifying the different forms of literary conflicts.
Yes, when Rose Lee and other characters oppose the restrictive racial norms and expectations of their community, they encounter character vs society conflicts that have an impact on both the individual and the group.
Characters' struggles to negotiate expectations, customs, and generational divides are influenced by family dynamics. Particularly concerning their responsibilities and relationships, the Carter family deals with both internal and external difficulties. For instance, Rose’s interaction with her grandmother and her mother gives rise to many internal conflicts.