Introduction

Susanna Kaysen's memoir, Girl, Interrupted creates a segue between two instructional units that examine various aspects of quest themes.  We have looked at the idea of self-examination and fulfillment in our reading of Carson McCuller's novel, The Heart is a Lonely Hunter and Hermann Hesse's novel,  Siddhartha.  We will soon be looking at the conflict between conformity and non-conformity as depicted in Peter Weir's film, Dead Poets Society and Ken Kesey's novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.  The memoir, Girl, Interrupted depicts a young woman's journey of self-examination and her quest for fulfillment as an individual within the conflicting, confusing standards of sixties' society.

The Task

After completing your guided reading of Girl, Interrupted and answering selected Discussion Questions, you will work with your group to research an assigned topic.  Your group will compile information on its topic and prepare a panel presentation for the class.

Process and Resources

Research the topic for your group by following the links provided.  There will be specific presentation preparation guidelines for each group's assignment on the topic page. Be sure that each group member has complete notes!

NOTE: All students must complete the Vermeer question in addition to participating in a group project.

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The Sixties

Group 1: The Vietnam War and the Anti-War Movement

All Students

What is the significance of the Vermeer painting "Girl Interrupted at Her Music" that appears in the last chapter? How did Susanna feel about the painting the first time she saw it? And how did she feel about it later, after her hospitalization? Why does the gaze of the music student in the painting so haunt her?

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Evaluation

Students will be evaluated by a rubric on both their individual and group work for two separate grades.