Set the Scene:
Let’s start with some engaging questions that connect your everyday life to the subject of Ernest Hemingway. Have you ever read a book that changed your perspective on life? Have you experienced a challenging situation that shaped who you are today? How do you think someone’s life experiences can influence their writing style? What do you think makes a writer’s work enduring and impactful?
Featured Image Analysis & Prediction:
Look at the featured image and describe what you see. What do you think this activity will be about based on this image? Do you think the image relates to Ernest Hemingway’s life or his writing style? What predictions can you make about the content of this activity?
Introduction:
Read the introduction to the activity about Ernest Hemingway. Take note of the key points that describe his life and writing style. How does his life story relate to his writing? What themes or messages do you think his writing conveys?
Video Engagement:
Watch the video Ernest Hemingway, Wrestling With Life (documentary) and pause at the following points:
- After the introduction to Hemingway’s early life (around 5 minutes)
- After the discussion of his experiences in World War I (around 15 minutes)
- After the explanation of his writing style and literary success (around 30 minutes)
At each pause point, reflect on the following questions:
- How do you think Hemingway’s early life experiences influenced his writing style and themes?
- What role do you think his experiences in World War I played in shaping his perspective on life and writing?
- How does Hemingway’s writing style contribute to his literary success and enduring impact?
Visit the original post for more information: https://maestrocursos.com.br/quizzed-esl-activities/ernest-hemingway-wrestling-with-life-documentary/
Vocabulary Building:
Review the key vocabulary terms related to Ernest Hemingway’s life and writing style. Match the terms with their definitions and example usage:
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Minimalist | A style of writing or art that uses simple forms and few words to convey a message. | Hemingway’s writing style is often described as minimalist, as seen in his novel “The Old Man and the Sea”. |
| Electroshock Therapy | A medical treatment that uses electric shocks to stimulate the brain and treat mental illnesses. | Hemingway underwent electroshock therapy to treat his depression, which likely damaged his memory and worsened his condition. |
| Pulitzer Prize | A prestigious award given to recognize outstanding work in journalism, literature, and music. | Hemingway won the Pulitzer Prize in 1953 for his novel “The Old Man and the Sea”, which cemented his status as a literary giant. |
| Red Cross Ambulance Division | A humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical care and assistance during times of war or disaster. | Hemingway volunteered for the Red Cross Ambulance Division in Italy during World War I, where he was injured in a deadly explosion. |
| Shrapnel | Small, sharp pieces of metal that are scattered when a bomb or shell explodes. | Hemingway suffered severe leg and knee injuries from shrapnel during the explosion in Italy. |
| Foreign Correspondent | A journalist who reports on news and events from a foreign country. | Hemingway worked as a foreign correspondent in Paris, where he was introduced to the artistic world by Gertrude Stein. |
| Gertrude Stein | An American author and poet who was a central figure in the Parisian literary scene. | Gertrude Stein had a significant influence on Hemingway’s writing style, encouraging him to be succinct and spare with his words. |
| Depression | A mental health condition characterized by feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest in activities. | Hemingway struggled with depression throughout his life, which was likely exacerbated by his experiences in war and his personal struggles. |
| Charisma | A personal quality that makes someone attractive and charming to others. | Hemingway’s charisma and generosity made him a dear friend to those around him, despite his personal struggles and controversies. |
| Endurance | The ability to withstand difficult or unpleasant situations over a long period of time. | Hemingway believed in endurance and created a lasting literary body of work, despite struggling with depression and personal turmoil throughout his life. |
Grammar Focus:
The past perfect tense is used to describe an action that occurred before another action in the past. It is formed using the auxiliary verb “had” + the past participle of the main verb. Complete the following sentences using the past perfect tense:
- By the time Hemingway ________ his first book, he ________ several short stories.
- Hemingway’s mother ________ her opera singing career due to sensitive eyes by the time she ________ her music teaching career.
- Before Hemingway ________ to Paris, he ________ as a foreign correspondent.
- By the time Hemingway met Agnes, he ________ his feelings for her, but she ________ hers.
- Hemingway’s writing style ________ by the time he ________ “The Old Man and the Sea”.
Answer Key:
- a) published, had written
- a) had given up, started
- a) moved, had worked
- a) had developed, had not developed
- a) had been influenced, wrote