Look Out Below
humanitiesms

Look Out Below

All aboard! In this expedition, we will delve into the historical and social context surrounding the Titanic’s ill-fated voyage and the impacts it had on society and culture at the time. Through the novel, “Luck of the Titanic” by Stacey Lee we will examine the class and social distinctions of the early 20th century, and how they played out in the tragedy of the Titanic.

Introduction

Through the novel, “Luck of the Titanic” by Stacey Lee, we will examine the class and social distinctions of the early 20th century, and how they played out in the tragedy of the Titanic. We will examine the historical and cultural background of the Titanic’s voyage, including the grandeur and luxury of the ship, the passengers on board, and the societal norms and expectations of the time.  We will explore the impacts of the sinking of the Titanic.  Throughout our reading of the novel, we explore themes of identity and the power of human connection in the face of adversity as well as literary techniques such as irony and juxtaposition.

Essential Questions

  • What is the historical significance of the sinking of the Titanic?

  • What did the Titanic’s passengers experience, both historically and fictionally?

  • How did racial and class distinctions impact the Chinese in the 1910s?  What was the Chinese Exclusion Act?

  • How does a novel's historical setting affect a character's development?

Learning Objectives

  • Learn about the history of the Titanic.

  • Adopt the perspective of a fictional character to learn about a historical event. 

  • Communicate the significance of the sinking of the Titanic in a creative presentation.

  • Learn about the Chinese Exclusion Act and racial and class distinctions during this time in history.  

  • How can an author use point of view and juxtaposition to bring a story to life?