1. SB 2.18 & Feminist Critique: The Tree of Life Objective: I will analyze “The Giving Tree” by locating and using text evidence to support the claim that a Feminist Perspective creates a deeper understanding of the text.
You will need the following:
SSR Book
Composition Book
SpringBoard Book
Electronic Device

2. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Feminist Critique: The Tree of Life
SSR Reflection:
Describe any women characters in the book you are reading.
What are the like?
How do they act?
Are they treated the same as the male characters?
If there are no female characters, describe the male characters: what are they like? How do they act?
Read a book of your choosing for ten minutes.

3. SB 2.18 & 2.19 Feminist Critique: The Tree of Life
Read the definition of Feminist Criticism on SpringBoard p. 120.
Feminist Criticism
Focuses on relationships between genders.
Examines the patterns of thought, behavior, values, enfranchisement, and power in relations between and within the sexes.

4. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Assumptions of Feminist Criticism
A pervasively patriarchal society conveys the notion of male dominance through the images of women in its texts.

5. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Assumptions of Feminist Criticism
Many literary texts lack complex female figures and deem the female reader as an outsider, or require her to assume male values in terms of perceptions, feelings, and actions.

6. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Assumptions of Feminist Criticism
Issues of gender equality and sexuality are central to artistic expression.

7. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Assumptions of Feminist Criticism
Fictional portrayals of female characters often reflect and create stereotypical social and political attitudes toward women.

8. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Assumptions of Feminist Criticism
Texts authored by women may have different viewpoints from those in texts authored by men.

9. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Assumptions of Feminist Criticism
What do you think?
Go to PollEv.com/shultz to vote on whether you agree or disagree with these assumptions.

10. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Feminist Critique: The Tree of Life
Respond to the questions on p. 129.
Be prepared to share your responses with the class.

11. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Feminist Critique: The Tree of Life
Read Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree.
In the journal section of your composition book:
Summarize the characters.
What is the subject?
What is the theme?
What is the author’s point of view?

12. SB 2.19. Feminist Critique: The Tree of Life
Consider the story from the perspective of Feminist Criticism. Respond to the following questions in your composition books:
How are women presented in the text? How are men presented?
How is the relationship between men and women presented?
To what extent does the portrayal of men and women support a patriarchal view of the world?
*Consider the illustrations as you respond to these questions.

13. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Feminist Critique: The Tree of Life
Use the graphic organizer on p. 131 to analyze The Giving Tree using the Feminist Perspective and providing examples from the story.
Consider the sample answers as you get started.
Be prepared to share your findings with the class.

14. SB 2.18 & 2.19. Feminist Critique: The Tree of Life
Quick Write (5 minutes)
Consider the final line of the story: “And the tree was happy.”
Do you agree that the tree is happy? Explain.
How did examining this story from the Feminist Perspective give you a new or different understanding of the story?