De Ann Wong

Engl 112B

11/29/11

Unit of Study

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Lessons to Learn: The Modern Problem Novel

When I was a child, I was read stories of fairy tales where the princess always gets saved by the prince, where the stepmother gets what she deserves and where the world is always set right in the end. However, as I take the journey towards adulthood, I have discovered I have to save myself, nobody ever really gets what he or she deserves (may it be good or bad) and the world will almost never be set right. However morbid this may seem, it is reality and the fairy tales did not serve any justice to how life really is. This is where the modern problem novel comes in to play. According Literature for Today's Young Adults, �the problem novel, however, is based on the philosophy that young people will have a better chance to be happy if they have realistic expectations and if they know both the bad and the good about the society in which they live,� (chapter 4). In my opinion, this is especially relevant when it comes to romantic relationships.

One of the most useful ways to help young adults understand when they are in an unhealthy relationship and what to do about it is through literature. My centerpiece book is Fault Line by Janet Tashjian. In this novel, the main character, Becky, finds herself tangled in an abusive relationship and does not really know what to do or how to speak up about it. Using modern novels like Fault Line will allow teachers to help their students in these situations without making them feel uncomfortable or under any pressure. It is an indirect way to directly hone in on the young adults that find him or herself lacking the experience to deal with their predicament.

Launching the Unit

1. Be sensitive to students that are in a similar predicament and offer a different assignment if necessary.

2. Have students write a short story (2-3 pages) about a fictional character in a bad relationship.

3. Instead of questions about the story, ask students to come up with lessons to be learned and ways to help others in this situation.

4. Find inspirational poems, songs, or other books that encourage independence, hope and happiness.

Teaching Tools:

Aguilera, Christina. I�m Okay. Stripped, 2002. RCA. Audio CD.

Asher, Jay. Thirteen Reasons Why. Penguin Books, 2007. Print.

Eminem, Rihanna. Love the Way you Lie. Aftermath. Recovery, 2010. Audio CD.

Eve, Love is Blind. Ruff Ryders, 1998. Audio CD.

Stephen Chbosky. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Pocket Books, 1999. Print and Audiobook.

Tasjian, Janet. Fault Line. Henry Holt and Co., 2003. Print.

�I�m Okay� by: Christina Aguilera

Once upon a time there was a girl
In her early years she had to learn
How to grow up living in a war that she called home
Never know just where to turn for shelter from the storm
Hurt me to see the pain across my mother's face
Everytime my father's fist would put her in her place
Hearing all the yelling I would cry up in my room
Hoping it would be over soon

Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wake I look back to yesterday
And I'm OK

I often wonder why I carry all this guilt
When it's you that helped me put up all these walls I've built
Shadows stir at night through a crack in the door
The echo of a broken child screaming "please no more"
Daddy, don't you understand the damage you have done
To you it's just a memory, but for me it still lives on

Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same
And I still remember how you kept me so, so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave
Every morning that I wake I look back to yesterday

Literature for Today's Young Adults: The Modern Problem Novel

Song lyrics: http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/I%27m-Ok-lyrics-Christina-Aguilera/0466D040BAC2C53948256C5900290062