Authors, Past And Present, Come To Life

By Honors English Students

By Tanjua Damon

Henry David Thoreau, William Shakespeare, Mary Shelley, H.G. Wells, C.S. Lewis, Simone de Beauvoir, Colette, Emily Bronte, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and many other authors, poets, and writers were presented during the Newtown High School tenth grade honors English Authors’ Luncheon May 9.

English teacher Kerry Baldwin has her honors classes, totaling about 45 students, dress as a writer they have researched by reading two books –– one of the author’s works and a biography of the author. Once they have done that, the students have to prepare information that they can use to answer questions by their peers during the luncheon that is held on the stage in the auditorium.

“I think they are getting more involved in it,” Ms Baldwin said. “I really wanted them to become involved in the life of someone so they would understand the life of an author and how they are compelled with their art. I also wanted them to understand the revision.”

The students had to become their author and stay in character throughout the luncheon.

Henry Washburn chose Henry David Thoreau to portray because he did not know a lot about him.

“I haven’t really known that much about him. He loved nature. He was a naturalist,” Henry said. “He was fond of abolitionism.”

Thomas Curson brought H.G. Wells back to life for the occasion.

“I like science fiction,” he said. “The idea that what is written even though it isn’t true it could be. He was very intelligent.”

Katie Fullman researched C.S. Lewis. She read Chronicles of Narnia.

“I really likes them and wanted to find out why he wrote them,” Katie said. “This was good to read a book and read about the author. It was fun to do the interviews. I thought it was kind of strange at first. But when I saw everyone else I didn’t feel so uncomfortable.”

Monica Latowicki selected F. Scott Fitzgerald to read The Great Gatsby, which she will read next year in school

“I like reading things on my own, being able to get your own interpretation,” Monica said. “It ended up he had an interesting life.”

Maya Angelou was portrayed by Caitlin Thursland.

“She’s an interesting person. I liked her writing and poetry,” Caitlin said. “She was very different. There aren’t a lot of people like her around here. I think it is a good lesson. It really helped us try to learn about those people and it helped us to learn about different characterizations of literature.”

Ms Baldwin has been having the tenth grade honors students do this project for the past couple of years at Newtown High School.