Lesson 13: Domestic Melodramas

Overview

This 50-minute lesson focuses on Domestic Melodramas as a distinct subgenre within the broader sphere of 19th-century melodrama. The lesson aims to equip students with the knowledge and analytical skills to identify and appreciate the unique characteristics, themes, and narrative elements that define Domestic Melodramas.

Objectives

• To introduce Domestic Melodramas as a unique subgenre within 19th-century melodrama.
• Examining the narrative, thematic, and visual elements characterising Domestic Melodramas.

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Laptop with projector for displaying slides and video clips
• Copies of excerpts from emblematic Domestic Melodramas
• Glossary of key terms pertinent to Domestic Melodramas

Instructions

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Recap and Objective Setting: Review the main points from the previous lesson on Nautical Melodramas, and then introduce the objectives for the current lesson, specifying the focus on Domestic Melodramas as a separate subgenre.

Characteristics of Domestic Melodramas (10 minutes)

2. Definition: Present a succinct definition of Domestic Melodramas, demarcating it within the context of 19th-century melodramatic theatre.
3. Key Features: Discuss the distinctive attributes that define Domestic Melodramas, including their typical settings, character types, and narrative tropes.

Historical Context (10 minutes)

4. Social and Cultural Aspects: Explore the social and cultural dynamics of the 19th century that contributed to the popularity of Domestic Melodramas. Discuss how the form reflected and critiqued societal norms related to family, gender roles, and domestic life.
5. Example Works: Introduce well-known Domestic Melodramas, highlighting their historical context, public reception, and lasting impact.

Textual Analysis (10 minutes)

6. Excerpt Reading: Distribute copies of selected scenes from representative Domestic Melodramas. Have the students read the scenes either individually or in pairs.
7. Thematic and Structural Analysis: Facilitate a discussion around the thematic focus and narrative structure of the provided examples, such as depicting family dynamics, domestic virtues, and moral dilemmas.

Group Activity and Discussion (10 minutes)

8. Role-Playing Exercise: Divide the class into small groups, assigning each a short scene from a Domestic Melodrama to perform.
9. Classwide Analysis: After the enactments, engage the class in a discussion evaluating the performed scenes’ representation of Domestic Melodrama characteristics.

Summary and Homework (5 minutes)

10. Concluding Remarks: Sum up the elements that make Domestic Melodramas unique, including their historical context and sociocultural significance.
11. Homework Assignment: Assign students to research a modern film or novel incorporating Domestic Melodramas elements. Ask them to prepare a comparative essay analysing the similarities and differences between the contemporary work and its 19th-century counterparts.

Lesson 14: Sensation Melodramas

Overview

In this 50-minute lesson, the students will delve into Sensation Melodramas, a subgenre of 19th-century Melodrama that emphasises shock, surprise, and emotional intensity. The lesson aims to cultivate an understanding of the distinctive elements, historical background, and thematic preoccupations that characterise Sensation Melodramas.

Objectives

• To introduce Sensation Melodramas as a specific subgenre within the broader realm of 19th-century melodrama.
• Analyse the stylistic, narrative, and thematic elements that set Sensation Melodramas apart.

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Laptop and projector for displaying slides and video clips
• Copies of excerpts from representative Sensation Melodramas
• Glossary of key terms related to Sensation Melodramas

Instructions

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Recap and Objective Setting: Summarise the critical points from the previous lesson, which focused on Domestic Melodramas, before articulating the objectives for the current lesson on Sensation Melodramas.

Characteristics of Sensation Melodramas (10 minutes)

2. Definition: Provide a concise definition of Sensation Melodramas, positioning them within the wider framework of 19th-century melodramatic theatre.
3. Identifying Features: Discuss the hallmark characteristics of Sensation Melodramas, including their proclivity for shocking plot twists, suspenseful narrative, and emotional intensity.

Historical Context (10 minutes)

4. Cultural Relevance: Discuss the socio-cultural backdrop that contributed to the rise of Sensation Melodramas, perhaps touching upon the influence of serialized fiction and the sensationalist press of the 19th century.
5. Iconic Works: Introduce some seminal works that define this subgenre, illuminating their historical context and how contemporary audiences received them.

Textual Analysis (10 minutes)

6. Selected Excerpts: Distribute copies of selected scenes from iconic Sensation Melodramas for class reading and analysis.
7. Narrative and Thematic Discussion: Lead the class in analysing the common narrative structures and thematic elements in Sensation Melodramas, such as unexpected revelations, cliffhangers, and moral ambiguity.

Group Activity and Discussion (10 minutes)

8. Role-Playing: Divide the students into small groups and assign each group a short scene from a Sensation Melodrama to perform.
9. Class Discussion: After the performances, engage the class in a discussion critiquing the scenes’ adherence to the subgenre’s conventions and stylistic features.

Summary and Homework (5 minutes)

10. Conclusion: Recapitulate the defining aspects of Sensation Melodramas, focusing on their unique place within the broader genre of melodrama.
11. Homework Assignment: Assign students to find a modern thriller film or TV show episode that resembles Sensation Melodramas in some aspect. They should prepare a comparative essay detailing the similarities and differences between the contemporary work and 19th-century Sensation Melodramas.

Lesson 15: Animal Melodramas

Objectives

• To acquaint students with the specific subgenre of Animal Melodramas.
• To investigate the characteristic features distinguishing Animal Melodramas, including their narrative structure and thematic foci.

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Laptop and projector for displaying slides and video clips
• Copies of key scenes from renowned Animal Melodramas
• Glossary of terms specific to Animal Melodramas

Instructions

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Recap and Objective Setting: Briefly summarise the highlights from the previous lesson on Sensation Melodramas. Set forth the objectives for the current lesson, focussing on Animal Melodramas as a specialised subgenre within the 19th-century melodramatic theatre.

Characteristics of Animal Melodramas (10 minutes)

2. Definition: Furnish students with a precise definition of Animal Melodramas, distinguishing them from other subgenres regarding their unique attributes.
3. Salient Features: Enumerate the principal traits of Animal Melodramas, such as their typical settings, thematic preoccupations, and the role of animals as central or supporting characters.

Historical Context (10 minutes)

4. Cultural Relevance: Delve into the cultural and social milieu that facilitated the rise of Animal Melodramas, particularly the relationship between human society and animals during the 19th century.
5. Canonical Works: Discuss some seminal works in the genre, noting their impact on audiences and their enduring legacy in melodramatic literature and performance.

Textual Analysis (10 minutes)

6. Sample Excerpts: Distribute copies of selected excerpts from iconic Animal Melodramas for classroom reading.
7. Analytical Discussion: Engage students in an analytical discussion, probing into the structure, themes, and narrative elements of the chosen scenes, such as the anthropomorphism of animals, moral dilemmas, and social commentary.

Group Activity and Discussion (10 minutes)

8. Role-Playing Exercise: Divide the class into small groups, each assigned a scene from an Animal Melodrama to enact.
9. Group Analysis: After the performances, lead a discussion critiquing how well the scenes capture the defining elements of Animal Melodramas, paying special attention to the role and portrayal of animals.

Summary and Homework (5 minutes)

10. Conclusion: Recapitulate the essential features that set Animal Melodramas apart within the larger sphere of 19th-century melodrama.
11. Homework Assignment: Direct students to find a contemporary piece of fiction or film incorporating elements found in Animal Melodramas. They are to compose a comparative analysis elucidating the similarities and differences between the contemporary work and the 19th-century genre.

Lesson 16: Social Melodramas

Objectives

• To familiarize students with Social Melodramas as a distinct subgenre within 19th-century melodramatic theatre.
• To explore the narrative devices, thematic concerns, and character types specific to Social Melodramas.

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Laptop and projector for presenting slides and video clips
• Copies of scenes from iconic Social Melodramas
• Glossary of key terms pertinent to Social Melodramas

Instructions

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Recap and Objective Setting: Recap the key points from the preceding lesson on Animal Melodramas and outline the objectives for the current lesson, which will focus on the subgenre of Social Melodramas.

Characteristics of Social Melodramas (10 minutes)

2. Definition: Provide a succinct definition of Social Melodramas, situating them within the broader category of 19th-century melodrama.
3. Key Features: Discuss the defining features of Social Melodramas, such as their focus on social issues, class conflict, and moral dilemmas.

Historical Context (10 minutes)

4. Cultural Backdrop: Delve into the social and cultural conditions that influenced the development and popularity of Social Melodramas, perhaps touching on industrialisation, urbanisation, and social reform movements.
5. Notable Works: Introduce a few seminal works within this subgenre, highlighting their historical context and reception.

Textual Analysis (10 minutes)

6. Excerpts for Study: Distribute copies of selected scenes from renowned Social Melodramas for in-class reading.
7. Thematic and Narrative Discussion: Lead the class in discussing the thematic issues and narrative structures typically found in Social Melodramas, such as the tension between individual desires and societal norms.

Group Activity and Discussion (10 minutes)

8. Role-Playing Exercise: Divide the students into small groups, each responsible for acting out a specific scene from a Social Melodrama.
9. Class Debrief: Following the role-playing, facilitate a discussion critiquing how well the scenes adhered to the conventions and thematic preoccupations of Social Melodramas.

Summary and Homework (5 minutes)

10. Recapitulation: Summarize the distinctive aspects of Social Melodramas, reiterating their unique position within 19th-century melodramatic theatre.
11. Homework Assignment: Ask students to identify a modern film or television episode similar to 19th-century Social Melodramas. They should prepare a comparative analysis delineating the commonalities and differences.

Lesson 17: Gothic Melodramas

Objectives

• To introduce students to the subgenre of Gothic Melodramas within the context of 19th-century melodramatic theatre.
• To investigate the narrative elements, thematic concerns, and stylistic features unique to Gothic Melodramas.

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Laptop and projector for displaying slides and video clips
• Copies of scenes from seminal Gothic Melodramas
• Glossary of key terms related to Gothic Melodramas

Instructions

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Recap and Objective Setting: Briefly review the previous lesson on Social Melodramas and set forth the objectives for the current lesson, focussing on Gothic Melodramas as the final subgenre in our series.

Characteristics of Gothic Melodramas (10 minutes)

2. Definition: Supply students with a concise definition of Gothic Melodramas, emphasising how they fit within the broader scope of 19th-century melodrama.
3. Key Features: Detail the salient features that set Gothic Melodramas apart, such as their use of supernatural elements, gloomy settings, and moral polarities.

Historical Context (10 minutes)

4. Cultural Background: Examine the cultural and literary context that gave rise to Gothic Melodramas, perhaps noting their relation to the Romantic Movement and the Gothic novel.
5. Iconic Works: Identify seminal works in this subgenre and discuss their historical significance and impact on theatre.

Textual Analysis (10 minutes)

6. Excerpts for Study: Distribute copies of selected excerpts from iconic Gothic Melodramas for classroom reading.
7. Thematic and Structural Discussion: Lead a classroom discussion dissecting the themes, motifs, and narrative techniques characteristic of Gothic Melodramas, such as the tension between reason and emotion or the portrayal of villainous characters.

Group Activity and Discussion (10 minutes)

8. Role-Playing Exercise: Partition the students into small groups, each tasked with acting out a scene from a Gothic Melodrama.
9. Class Discussion: After the performances, engage the class in a discussion critiquing how effectively the scenes conform to the stylistic and thematic conventions of Gothic Melodramas.

Summary and Homework (5 minutes)

10. Conclusion: Recap the unique attributes of Gothic Melodramas, summarising their specific niche within the broader sphere of 19th-century melodramatic theatre.
11. Homework Assignment: Instruct students to select a modern work, be it a film, television series, or even a video game, that incorporates elements of Gothic Melodramas. They will write a comparative analysis detailing the similarities and differences between the modern work and the 19th-century subgenre.