Faust as a Vehicle for Analyzing Fables and Heroism

Sonia Hewitt

This curriculum is designed for German 4 students to explore the historical and literary significance of the German play Faust, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Students will examine the time period as well as the literary period in which the play was written. Students will then read and listen to reenactments of the play in order to understand the plot, plot structure, and themes of Faust. Students will then create their own interpretation of the play and share with the class. This production may be an exact replication of the play or a variation that maintains the same themes and plot structure of Faust. The course content related to the actual content of the play will be taught in German, while the background information, such as time and literary period may be taught in English, depending on the language capabilities of each particular class. Students will be required to read sections of the play on their own and demonstrate comprehension, but will also then participate in “stories” during class time that are designed to enhance the comprehension of each particular section of the play. The goal of this unit is to expose students to an important piece of literature in a different language, but also to see that certain literary themes are universal and relevant to every member of humankind.