Topic: A literary Theme to Teach

Question: Want a theme that almost every student can relate to?

Answer: “Children and their parents—it is an ancient theme, a timeless attempt to unravel the mystery of the parent and the mystery of the child understanding itself, a distinct person apart, yet very much a part of the mother and father.”

“Over the years, I have had success teaching a unit on the father/child theme for various second-year literature classes. It is a unit that students enjoy, because they can relate to the emotions and situations described by an endless variety of writers and because the works that I choose are modern and accessible to students.”

Comment: The author gives only a few examples of the works he uses in class. But the theme is so pervasive in literature that it should be easy to find literary sources. Of course, they will not be in one place together, but the theme is intriguing. The author suggests that the theme provides plenty of opportunities for writing assignments. Childhood, together with the influence it has on adults, is a truly universal experience. RayS.

Title: “A Father/Child Unit for the Introductory Literature Class.” J Mulvey. Teaching English in the Two-Year College (May 2009), 392-396.