Ch 6: 20th Century Literature: Homeschool Curriculum
About This Chapter
Who's it for?
This unit of our 11th Grade English Homeschool course will benefit any student who is trying to learn about 20th century literature. There is no faster or easier way to learn about 20th century authors and literature. Among those who would benefit are:
- Students who require an efficient, self-paced course of study to learn about the lives and written works of 20th century writers, including Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, and Eugene O'Neill.
- Homeschool parents looking to spend less time preparing lessons and more time teaching.
- Homeschool parents who need an English curriculum that appeals to multiple learning types (visual or auditory).
- Gifted students and students with learning differences.
How it works:
- Students watch a short, fun video lesson that covers a specific unit topic.
- Students and parents can refer to the video transcripts to reinforce learning.
- Short quizzes and a 20th century literature unit exam confirm understanding or identify any topics that require review.
20th Century Unit Objectives:
- Meet 20th century writers Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner and Eugene O'Neill.
- Explore the writing styles of Joseph Conrad, T.S. Eliot and John Steinbeck. Sample some of their major works.
- Analyze the plots and characters of Heart of Darkness, The Great Gatsby, A Farewell to Arms, Of Mice and Men and other works.
- Learn about Oscar Wilde's sexuality and how that may have affected his writings.

1. Introduction to Oscar Wilde: Plays, Novels, and Sexuality
From ''The Picture of Dorian Gray'' to the ''Importance of Being Earnest'', Oscar Wilde left an indelible mark on literature and theater. In this lesson, you'll learn all about the Victorian author.

2. Conrad's Heart of Darkness: Plot, Characters, and Style
Joseph Conrad's 'Heart of Darkness' is one of the most read and taught stories in the English language. It also inspired a hugely popular film. Watch our lesson to learn all about this horrifying classic.

3. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock: Overview and Analysis
This video introduces T.S. Eliot's poem, 'The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock.' It outlines the general setup of the poem, its enigmatic lead character and its stylistic characteristics. It also highlights key passages.

4. The Waste Land: Structure and Style Explained
As an introduction to T.S. Eliot's landmark poem, 'The Waste Land,' this lesson will outline some of the key Modernist features of the work. We'll address nonlinearity, irony and juxtaposition, voice, and allusions. Through taking a look at each of these features, we'll try to understand why 'The Waste Land' is as strange as it is important.

5. Introduction to Virginia Woolf: Life and Works
This lesson introduces Virginia Woolf's life and works. We'll cover her involvement with the Bloomsbury Group and the evolution of her experimental style across works like Mrs. Dalloway, To the Lighthouse, and the Waves.

6. Mrs. Dalloway: Analysis of Characters and Style
This lesson outlines the characters, major plot points and style of Virginia Woolf's 1925 novel 'Mrs. Dalloway.' We'll discuss how free indirect discourse informs both the style and substance of the novel, and how memory and interpretation are valued more highly than relaying concrete events.

7. F. Scott Fitzgerald: Biography and Works
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote one of the defining American novels: 'The Great Gatsby.' Yet, his personal life was tumultuous and filled with struggles. In this lesson, we'll explore his major works and his life story.

8. The Great Gatsby: Summary, Themes, Symbols, and Character
F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' is considered by many critics to be the greatest American novel. Watch our video lesson on the novel to find out why!

9. Ernest Hemingway: Biography, Works, and Style
American author Ernest Hemingway used the experiences from his rich and colorful life to inform his novels and short stories. Learn about how life and major works.

10. Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms: Summary and Analysis
Ernest Hemingway's ''A Farewell to Arms'' is considered by some critics to be the best novel written in the WWI era. Learn why readers still love this story almost a century later.

11. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Hemingway: Summary and Analysis
Civil war in Spain, love in the woods, and death everywhere. It's Ernest Hemingway's 'For Whom the Bell Tolls.' In this lesson, we'll explore the acclaimed novel about an American in the Spanish Civil War.

12. William Faulkner: Biography, Books, and Style
William Faulkner towers above American literature, particularly American literature of the South. In this lesson, we'll explore his life and review his major works and style.

13. John Steinbeck: Grapes of Wrath and Other Works
John Steinbeck is one of the 20th century's most celebrated authors. In this lesson, we'll look at Steinbeck's most famous work, 'The Grapes of Wrath.' We'll also discuss his style and consider his other major works.

14. Of Mice and Men: Summary and Analysis of Steinbeck's Style
John Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men' is one of the most enduring American stories of friendship. Watch this video lesson to learn about its characters, main plot events and key themes.

15. Eugene O'Neill: Biography and Major Plays
Winner of four Pulitzer Prizes and one Nobel Prize, playwright Eugene O'Neill is a major figure in American drama. In this lesson, we'll look at his tumultuous life and review the most notable plays from his acclaimed career.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the 11th Grade English: Homeschool Curriculum course
- Literary Analysis: Homeschool Curriculum
- Medieval Literature: Homeschool Curriculum
- Shakespeare & Renaissance Literature: Homeschool Curriculum
- Gothic and Romantic Literature: Homeschool Curriculum
- 19th Century Literature: Homeschool Curriculum
- African American Writers: Homeschool Curriculum
- Dramatic Works for 11th Grade: Homeschool Curriculum
- Interpreting Literature: Homeschool Literature
- Literary Terms for 11th Grade: Homeschool Curriculum
- Basics of Writing Essays in 11th Grade: Homeschool Curriculum
- Understanding Essays in 11th Grade: Homeschool Education
- Using Source Materials: Homeschool Curriculum
- Conventions in Writing - Usage: Homeschool Curriculum
- Capitalization & Spelling: Homeschool Curriculum
- Elements of Grammar: Homeschool Curriculum
- Usage: Homeschool Curriculum
- Punctuation in Writing: Homeschool Curriculum