O.Henry The Gift of the Magi

Here's another literature story which my students like to discuss. There are so many serious points to dwell on: love, devotion, secrifice, support, happiness. I thought you'd  enjoy this story. Especially if to read it in this time of the year with Christmas coming up.

THE  GIFT  OF  THE  MAGI

by O. Henry

She walks in beauty

At the lessons of literature we learn lots about English and American writers and their works. Most of my students enjoy this lyrical poem.

 

She Walks in Beauty

(Lord Byron)

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes:

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

This is one of my most favourite poems ever!!!!

Christmas Bells

              Christmas Bells

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

    I heard the bells on Christmas Day 

    Their old, familiar carols play, 

        And wild and sweet 

        The words repeat 

    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    And thought how, as the day had come, 

    The belfries of all Christendom 

        Had rolled along 

        The unbroken song 

    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    Till ringing, singing on its way, 

    The world revolved from night to day, 

        A voice, a chime, 

        A chant sublime 

    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    Then from each black, accursed mouth 

    The cannon thundered in the South, 

        And with the sound 

        The carols drowned 

    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    It was as if an earthquake rent 

    The hearth-stones of a continent, 

        And made forlorn 

        The households born 

    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

    And in despair I bowed my head; 

    "There is no peace on earth," I said; 

        "For hate is strong, 

        And mocks the song 

    Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

    Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: 

    "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; 

        The Wrong shall fail, 

        The Right prevail, 

    With peace on earth, good-will to men."

Another poem that we study during the literature lessons. 

Fire and Ice

FIRE AND ICE

(Robert Frost)

Some say the world will end in fire,

Some say in ice.

From what I've tasted of desire

I hold with those who favor fire.

But if it had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate

To say that for destruction ice

Is also great

And would suffice.

Charles Dickens, Oliver Twist

Lesson Plan

School Subject: The Course of British Literature

Level: 10th form students

Topic: Charles Dickens

Subtopic: Dickens’s characters (Oliver Twist)

Aim:  Introduce the style of Dickens to describe his characters

Cultural and social objectives: by the end of the lesson studens will be able to express their attitude towards person's  deeds,  virtues and faults. 

Recourses used: DVD player (DVD film “Oliver Twist” by Roman Polanski , DVD player, CD player, book “Oliver Twist” by Charles Dickens, chapter 14 (Oxford Bookworms, stage 6, together with CD), handouts, printed pictures

 Oxford Bookworms, stage 6

 

DVD  film cover “Oliver Twist” by Roman Polanski, 2005