English 10 - Quarter 3 - Lesson 9: The Moral Compass: A Moralist Critique

English 10: Quarter 3

Lesson 9: The Moral Compass

Lesson 9: The Moral Compass: A Moralist Critique

I. Objectives

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Knowledge: Define "moralist critique" and identify common "overarching human experiences" (e.g., greed, love, betrayal) as themes.
• Skill: Analyze a fable to determine its moral lesson and compose a short critique evaluating the treatment of that lesson.
• Affective: Appreciate that literature can be a source of ethical reflection and a way to explore personal values.

II. Introduction

Good morning, class. Has a story, a movie, or a book ever made you want to be a better person? Or has a story ever taught you a powerful lesson about right and wrong?

We often look at stories for entertainment, but for thousands of years, stories have also been our teachers. Today, we're learning about a way to read and critique called the Moralist Critique. This approach isn't focused on how the story is built (like our formalist lesson) but on what the story teaches us.

III. Definition (Key Terms) - Part 1

1. Moralist Critique:
A type of literary critique that evaluates the value of a work based on its moral, ethical, or philosophical message.

• To Expand: It treats literature as a guide to living a good life. It praises works that teach good lessons (courage, honesty) and criticizes works that promote bad behavior.

2. Overarching Human Experience:
The universal, shared issues, feelings, and conflicts that all humans experience.

• Examples: Love and Loss, Greed vs. Generosity, Courage vs. Cowardice, Betrayal and Loyalty.

III. Definition (Key Terms) - Part 2

3. Moral / Lesson:
The specific "take-home message" or principle that the author is teaching.

• Example: "People will not believe a liar, even when they tell the truth."

4. Treatment (of an issue):
How the author presents the moral issue. Is it simple or complex?

• Simple Treatment: The greedy character is clearly punished.
• Complex Treatment: Shows how greed can be destructive but also tragically human.

IV. Spring Board: The King's Greed

Read this version of the King Midas story.

King Midas was a rich man, but he was also greedy. He loved gold more than anything. One day, a magical being granted him one wish. Midas wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. He was overjoyed. He touched a rock; it became gold. He touched a rose; it became a hard, yellow, metal thing.

Soon, he became hungry. He picked up an apple, and it turned to a cold, gold rock. He tried to drink, and his water turned to solid gold. His greatest joy, his young daughter, ran to hug him. When he embraced her, she, too, turned into a lifeless, golden statue. Midas, horrified, begged the magical being to take the "gift" away, having learned that true riches are not made of gold, but of life and love.

V. Essential Questions

Analyze the story as a Moralist Critic.

1. What "overarching human experience" is the central issue in this story?

Answer: The story is clearly about greed and the conflict between material wealth and love/happiness.

2. What is the obvious moral or lesson that this story is trying to teach?

Answer: Greed is dangerous. Love, family, and life's simple pleasures are more valuable than gold.

3. How does the story treat this lesson? Is the treatment simple or complex?

Answer: The treatment is simple and direct. It uses a clear, magical punishment to make its point impossible to miss.

4. What event in the story is the most powerful part of the lesson?

Answer: When Midas turns his daughter into gold. This drives the moral home: his greed costs him what he should value most.

VI. Exercise: The Moralist's Review

Compose a one-paragraph moralist critique of "The King's Greed."

Your critique must answer two questions:

• What is the moral lesson, and is it valuable today?
• Is the story's treatment of the lesson (how it's taught) effective?

Teacher's Model: "Our moralist review finds 'The King's Greed' to be a highly valuable and effective story. Its central lesson—that greed is a destructive force and that love is the only true treasure—is a timeless human experience that is just as relevant today. The story's treatment of this moral is powerful. By having Midas's wish cost him his daughter, the story provides a memorable warning."

VII. Generalization

Today, we learned to read with a 'moralist's eye.' While a formalist critic asks, "Is this built well?" a moralist critic asks, "Does this build us well?"

This skill is important because stories are full of messages. Being a moralist critic helps you identify those messages and decide for yourself if they are good, true, and valuable lessons for how to live your life.

VIII. Evaluation

English 10 - Short Quiz No. 9

Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question.

Full Name:

Result: English 10 - Short Quiz No. 9

Name:

Score:

Attempts:

IX. Additional Activity (Enrichment)

Assignment: Choose one popular movie, song, or video game that you know well.

Write one paragraph answering these two questions:

1. What is the main "human experience" or moral lesson this work seems to teach?
2. In your opinion, is this a good or bad lesson for people? Why?

Congratulations! You have completed Lesson 9.