Students will analyze John Donne’s poem “No Man is an Island” and connect its themes of interconnectedness, collective responsibility, mortality, vulnerability, and empathy to President Joe Biden’s recent decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election.
Introduction
- Discussion Starter:
- Start by briefly discussing interconnectedness. Then, ask students what it means for individuals to be interconnected within a society.
- Introduce John Donne’s poem “No Man is an Island” and explain that it explores themes of human connection and collective responsibility.
- Reading the Poem:
- Distribute copies of the poem and read it aloud as a class.
- Discuss the poem’s main themes and metaphors, focusing on the idea that no one is truly isolated and that everyone is part of a larger whole.
Main Activity
Deeper Dive into Themes
- Group Analysis:
- Divide the class into small groups and have each group analyze a specific section of the poem.
- Encourage students to identify and analyze themes such as mortality, vulnerability, and empathy.
- Ask each group to connect these themes to contemporary issues, including the recent political events involving President Biden.
- Student-Centered Learning:
- Allow students to choose their own groups for the group analysis activity.
- Provide open-ended questions to guide their exploration of the poem and its connections to current events, such as:
- How does the theme of mortality in the poem relate to the responsibilities of political leaders?
- In what ways does the poem’s exploration of vulnerability and empathy apply to the decision-making process in politics?
- How can the poem’s message about interconnectedness help us understand the impact of Biden’s withdrawal from the election?
- Connecting to Current Events:
- Provide a summary of the article on President Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential election.
- Share this news article for context: President Joe Biden drops out of 2024 presidential race
- Discuss as a class how Biden’s decision impacts the Democratic Party and the broader political landscape.
- Highlight the parallels between the poem’s themes and the current political situation, emphasizing how individual actions (like Biden’s decision) can have far-reaching effects on the community.
Comparative Activity
- Comparison Table:
- Create a table comparing the poem’s themes with the implications of Biden’s withdrawal from the election.
| Theme | No Man is an Island | Biden’s Withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Interconnectedness | “No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.” | Biden’s decision affects the entire Democratic Party and the election dynamics. |
| Collective Responsibility | “Any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.” | Biden’s choice reflects a sense of responsibility to his party and the nation. |
| Mortality | “Any man’s death diminishes me” | Reflects the finite nature of political careers and the impact of leadership decisions. |
| Vulnerability | “If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less” | Highlights the fragility of political structures and the need for resilience. |
| Empathy | “And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.” | Emphasizes the importance of empathy in leadership and understanding the broader impact of decisions. |
- Reflection Questions:
- How does the poem’s message about interconnectedness apply to the political situation?
- How do individual decisions impact the larger community in both the poem and the real-world scenario?
Application and Reflection
- Class Discussion:
- Discuss the broader implications of interconnectedness in both literature and politics.
- Encourage students to think about other historical examples or current events where individual actions have had significant communal impacts.
- Writing Assignment:
- Have students write a short essay on how John Donne’s poem can help them understand the importance of leadership and collective responsibility in politics.
- Ask them to include their thoughts on how Biden’s decision might influence the upcoming election and the future of the Democratic Party.
Conclusion
- Summary:
- Summarize the key points discussed in class about the poem and its connection to the presidential election.
- Emphasize the importance of understanding how literature can provide insights into real-world issues.
- Final Thoughts:
- Encourage students to continue exploring the connections between literature and current events and to think critically about the impact of individual actions on society.
Extension Activities
- Research Project:
- Have students research other historical or current events where individual decisions had a significant impact on a larger community.
- Present their findings in a multimedia presentation.
- Debate:
- Organize a class debate on the potential outcomes of Biden’s withdrawal from the election and who might be the best candidate to replace him.
- Use this article for background information: What pushed President Biden to withdraw from the reelection race?
Assessment
- Participation: Monitor and assess student participation in group discussions and activities.
- Comparison Table: Evaluate the quality of contributions to the comparison table and discussion.
- Writing Assignment: Assess students’ understanding of the poem and its connection to current events through their essays.
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