Why Teach Fever 1793?
Fever, 1793 is a historical fiction novel that allows for collaboration with science and history classes. When teaching this novel, teachers should explain the historical context of Philadelphia during the late 1700s. The author's well-researched depiction provides a realistic account of what it would have been like to live through the fever epidemic in Philadelphia. The novel also discusses previously used medical practices, the Free African Society, and other topics that could be better understood with historical context.
This novel deals with the themes of mortality, family, and overcoming hardships. While these issues may be tough for a young reader to encounter, the author makes them relatable through Mattie. The novel will prompt students to question how they would react in a time of crisis. It may also be beneficial to take a look at public health crises facing the world today. Discussing HIV/AIDs, Ebola, and Influenza, among others, will make the novel seem more relevant and also give the students a chance to compare medical practices and reactions to crises of different time periods.
This novel deals with the themes of mortality, family, and overcoming hardships. While these issues may be tough for a young reader to encounter, the author makes them relatable through Mattie. The novel will prompt students to question how they would react in a time of crisis. It may also be beneficial to take a look at public health crises facing the world today. Discussing HIV/AIDs, Ebola, and Influenza, among others, will make the novel seem more relevant and also give the students a chance to compare medical practices and reactions to crises of different time periods.
Objectives for Teaching Fever, 1793
- Identify and discuss the themes in the novel.
- Learn about the historical context of Philadelphia during the 1700s.
- Describe the growth of Mattie's character.
- Identify the meaning of the symbols used throughout the novel.
- Compare the medical techniques from the story to those used today.
- Discuss how having access to Mattie's thoughts and feelings enhances the story.
- Analyze Mattie's relationship with her mother and how it changes throughout the novel.
- Create a newspaper covering the story of the yellow fever outbreak of 1793
Key Elements and Techniques
- Allegory
- Imagery
- Metaphor
- Symbolism
- Tone
Themes and Motifs
- Overcoming Hardships — Mattie deals with physical and mental losses of all kinds. She watches family members suffer and die and emotionally and physically suffers herself. She must learn to get through these hardships by creating and maintaining new ways of achieving happiness, helping others that are sick or poor.
- Mortality — Although death does play a major role in the novel, it is repetitively followed by something brighter —new life. Rebirth is shown through many aspects in the story, from Mattie and Grandfather's garden to the finding of Nell after the death of Grandfather.
- Family — The book shows both losing and learning to appreciate family. As Mattie struggles with the loss of her family members, she begins to create her own circle of family through her friendships with Nell, Nathaniel, Eliza, and other characters. As Mattie becomes more responsible, she also learns to respect and care for her mother.
ILLINOIS COMMON CORE
L.9-10.3. Apply knowledge of language to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.
L.9-10.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.9-10.5. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the text.
Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations.
W.9-10.1.Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
L.9-10.4. Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grades 9–10 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.9-10.5. Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Interpret figures of speech (e.g., euphemism, oxymoron) in context and analyze their role in the text.
Analyze nuances in the meaning of words with similar denotations.
W.9-10.1.Write arguments to support claims in an analysis of substantive topics or texts, using valid reasoning and relevant and sufficient evidence.
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