Erica

I love the first few paragraphs in which you bring up the concept of themes being repeated in so many forms and mediums!!! I do not read or watch Anime so I was a little lost and disconnected from much of the article. I do, however, feel the same way about books and movies that depict dystopian societies (1984 to the Hunger Games, to Divergent). As well as similar themes of nationalism, ultranationalism, and eradication of entire species in comics and Marvel superhero films. It’s all so similar and repetitive!

I love the underlying themes present in so many comics. I am slowly being exposed to the world of comics. Recently one of my students submitted a wonderfully put together proposal suggesting we watch the Avengers in Social Studies class because it tied so closely to the themes present in Grade 11 Social (Nationalism, ultranationalism, genocide, etc.) I wonder if there are ways we can use these comics are learning tools for the topics so many have touched on about War, Americanisms, and nationalism…

Good tips! My best thoughts and ideas always come when I DON’T plan to write and have no way to record it all…like when I am running, or driving. By the time I sit down to put it all together, I’ve lost the words, and my “groove!”

I recently took on a new role as a Social Studies teacher, and my L.A. colleague and I have been making huge connections to these dystopian novels (both classic and new!) between our subjects. Is it just me, or are all the book and movies too similar? In any case, I am glad to see we can teach the same themes via books that speak more prominently to our teens. Additionally, many of these books can be used to help teach concepts around ideologies in Grade 12 Social Studies!

I find much of what Mark Twain is “implying,” whether intentionally or not, is appropriate to his time and perhaps a reality of what the thinking was during the time the book as written. As a teacher, I find these genres of books to be great ways to teach themes and history.