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Lesson Plan
Summary:
Clover Hill, a sensitive young black girl, looses her beloved father, Gayton, twice in one day. First, as she begrudgingly watches him remarry
after the death of her mother. Then, as she is separated from
him by a fatal car crash which leaves her in the care of her loving,
but grieving step-mother, Sarah Kate. The situation is complicated by the fact that Sarah Kate is
white, and certain members of Gayton Hill's family are unsupportive,
unsympathetic and even suspicious of her. Visible to only Sarah
Kate and Clover, Gayton's spirit lingers to comfort and strengthen
his wife and daughter and to mend the breach between his family
and his bride. Although the issue of race concerns the characters
at first, the anger and pain of Gayton's sudden death and tragic
death is the true issue. Not until everyone sets prejudice and
mistrust aside, can the loss of father, brother and husband be
resolved so that all are able to accept this loss and accept the
changes it has brought to their lives.
Activity:
Before viewing CLOVER, think about a person that you know What was the first thing
you noticed about the person? What did you notice next? In time,
what else did you discover and learn? What makes up a person?
Brainstorm about all the sides of a person that you can know.
Then construct a web and place your ideas into categories.
As you view the movie, CLOVER, focus on the various aspects of
the characters First, you will notice their physical characteristics.
Next you will notice their personality traits. As the plot develops
you will be able to identify their motivations and struggles By
the conclusion of the movie. you will see that some of the characters
have experienced a change. The process of creating a character
to include all these aspects is called characterization.
personality traits: Characters reveal their personalities by their
actions and words. By observing what a character says and does
we can tell if they are warm and caring or cold and critical.
We can see if they are happy, depressed, funny or serious.
Discussion:
What does Gayton Hill reveal about himself by the way he relates
to Sarah Kate? By the way he relates to Clover?
At the wedding we can see that Eveleen is not happy about her
brother-in-law's marriage. How does she express her feelings?
What do we know about her by what she says and does later on in
the movie?
Activity:
Using a graphic organizer like the one below, list four of Clover's
personality traits and what words or actions reveal them. Repeat
this process for three other characters.
| Character 1: CLOVER |
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Example |
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Example
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Trait
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Example
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| Character 4: |
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Trait
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Journal:
Imagine that you were asked to speak at Gayton's funeral. What
would you say about him? What are some of the memories that you
would share?
List three traits of a person that you know well. Support each
of the qualities by telling how that person acts and what he/she
does.
Motivation:
Motivation is what causes a character to act in a certain way.
By observing a character we can determine their likes and dislikes.
Goals, dreams, emotions and prejudices also motivate a character
and show us the reason for his/her actions.
Discussion:
Although Gayton is killed in an accident early in the movie, he
plays an important role in the film because he returns as a spirit..
What goals and dreams does he express before his death? How does
he continue to accomplish them after his death?
Clover does not seem to like Sarah Kate. What are some of the
reasons she rejects her?
Eveleen and Jim Ed want do not want Sarah Kate to raise Clover.
What are the reasons they want to take Clover away from her step-mother?
Activity:
Make a list of the major characters in CLOVER. Beside each name
write two or three of the motivating factors for their behavior.
Journal:
Emotions can motivate a person. What emotions motivated Clover?
Write a description of the actions reveal her emotions.
Write about a time when you really wanted something. What was
it? How did this desire motivate you. What did you do to achieve
it?
Conflict:
A conflict is a problem or a struggle. Sometimes characters struggle
against other characters. This is called an external conflict.
Sometimes characters struggle with their own feelings. This is
called an internal conflict.
Discussion:
There is an external conflict between Sarah Kate and Eveleen.
What is the first problem you see between them? What other problems
develop? What are the causes of the conflict?
Clover's struggle is internal. On the surface she is in conflict
with her step-mother and her aunt, but the true problem is something
deeper. With what is Clover truly struggling? How do you know?
Activity:
Write a poem entitled "I Feel" Start each line with "I feel" Fill
in an emotion that has caused you to struggle. Finish the line
by telling when you felt that way. For example, "I feel downhearted
when I walk in the rain." Write lines for five emotions.
Journal:
Imagine you are Clover. Write three entries in your diary. The
first entry is written the day before the wedding. The next entry
is written the day of the funeral. The final entry is written
a few weeks later. Express the emotions that Clover is feeling,
Include her feelings about the people around her
Write about a conflict that you had with someone. What caused
the friction between you? How did you feel? How did you act?.
Change:
Characters may change Sometimes the change is a result of a conflict
or it may be the result of passing time or new experiences. Characters
may change because the see things in a new way. They may change
because they learn and mature. Characters that change are called
dynamic characters. Characters that do not change are called static
characters.
Discussion:
At first Eveleen and Sarah Kate do not get along. What event causes
the change in their relationship? What do the learn about prejudice?
What do they learn about family?
Who are the people who helped Clover change? How did they do it?
Who were the dynamic characters in CLOVER? What obstacles did
they overcome in order to change.
Who were the static characters in the story? How do you know they
were the same ant the end as they were in the beginning?
Activity:
Trace the changes of Clover, Sarah Kate and Eveleen. How did each
one feel at the beginning of the story? What emotions did they
feel as the story progressed? What lesson did each one learn?
Write a paragraph about each character telling of their experience
and transformation.
Journal:
Imagine a year has passed since the closing scene of CLOVER. The
family is having dinner together on what would have been Sarah
Kate and Gayton's anniversary. Imagine the conversation. Write
a dialogue for this scene. Make sure you include remarks from
all the major characters.
Think back to a time that a change occurred in you. Explain what
it was. Describe the events that led to the change.
As you viewed the movie, which character did you find most attractive
or sympathetic? Explain your choice.
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