<< Return to the Lesson Plans
-
The Life, Writing, and Poetry of Margaret Fuller
Lesson Plan by Rev. Michael Barnett, M. Div., M. Ed.

1. I opened with drumming and singing honoring the local presence of the Lenape Lenape people in the Indian Valley where Souderton Area High School is located. Margaret Fuller was working for the equal rights of women, African Americans, and Native Americans.

2. First journal question: Have you experienced a life-changing moment? Please write about it. Creative writers shared their epiphany moments.

3. I shared Margaret's own epiphany at 21 years old from her memoirs. Creative writers commented.

4. I brought two of Margaret's portraits: one, the authentic likeness of her taken in a photograph in New York City for her family and friends before she left for her Grand Tour of Europe, the other, the fabricated stereotypical young ingenue of the day because the creator never met Margaret.

5. Margaret's poems "Flaxman" and " Double Triangle, Serpent and Rays" are read and examined by creative writers on the Promethean Board.

6. The frontispiece of Margaret's book, "Woman in the Nineteenth Century," is the wood engraving of her poem "Double Triangle…." above which is displayed on the Promethean Board.

7. We speak about Margaret's living and writing about the sacred marriage in her poetry and book.

8. If there is time, we read and discuss my ode "For Margaret Fuller" which is on the Promethean Board.

9. If there is time, I share parts from "Woman in the Nineteenth Century" for reflection and discussion.

10. If there is time, I ask the second journal question: Thirty years from now, imagine a change you would like to see in the world. Please describe.

Please enjoy using this lesson plan to celebrate this extraordinary woman who began the women's rights movement in America.

---