A common use for Storyboard That is to help students create a plot diagram of the events from a novel. Not only is this a great way to teach the parts of the plot, but it reinforces major events and help students develop greater understanding of literary structures.
Students can create a storyboard capturing the narrative arc in a novel with a six-cell storyboard containing the major parts of the plot diagram. For each cell, have students create a scene that follows the story in sequence using: Exposition, Conflict, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Resolution.
The setting is a mountain village of the Philippines where Awiyao has been remarried.
Awiyao has left his wife Lumnay, whom he loved very much. However, she couldn’t give him a child. He has now married Madulimay in hopes to have a son, who will continue his legacy. This is something Awiyao expresses as important in his culture. However, Lumnay is upset because she loves Awiyao and doesn’t want this separation.
Outside, the villagers are dancing in celebration of the wedding. Awiyao leaves to try and comfort Lumnay. He offers her many items of the life that they built together. Lumnay refuses them and clings to Awiyao, wishing he would stay.
Awiyao finally leaves to re-join the wedding and Lumnay runs into the hills.
Lumnay sits on the side of the mountain overlooking the blazing fire and dancing women, thinking about how her life has changed. She has a sense of desperation, isolation, and worthlessness.
The reader is left not knowing what will become of Lumnay.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a visual plot diagram of "The Wedding Dance".
Introduce the concept of literary conflicts to the students. Give simple textbook definitions and examples to help students get familiar with the concept. Once students have an idea of the concept, teachers can also explain different types of literary conflicts such as character vs character, or character vs society, and give examples of daily life.
Encourage the students to take a look at the story's central cultural struggle. Talk about how the community views marriage, having children, and divorcing. Examine the ways in which the tension between Awiyao and Lumnay is influenced by these expectations. Students can categorize this conflict as man vs society and discuss this topic further.
Urge the students to examine the narrative from several angles. If either Lumnay or Awiyao had chosen differently, how would the result have changed? In what ways are their decisions influenced by cultural norms? Students can also try to examine the situation from the perspectives of both characters and then share their own views regarding their decisions and future.
Ask students to consider the lessons about the intricacies of cultural customs, individual wants, and social expectations that they might learn from the tension in "The Wedding Dance." Encourage the students to share their own views regarding this conflict that has been existing in society for a very long time.
The conclusion, which concludes the story, ties up any loose ends and clarifies how the conflict will be resolved. In "The Wedding Dance," the conclusion depicts Lumnay's acceptance of her circumstances and her return to the village, signifying her adherence to social norms. However, the readers do not know what happens in the story afterwards and can come up with their own interpretations. Students can make extended endings for the story for instance, Lumnay dies as she thought she would or she uses the beads to start a new life.
Through Lumnay's resolve to let go of Awiyao for his happiness, despite her own intense love for him, "The Wedding Dance" delves into issues of love and sacrifice. Her appreciation of the societal significance of having children led her to make this sacrifice. Both the characters have deep love and appreciation for each other but due to society’s expectations, they have to sacrifice their love.