MASTERS OF AMERICAN LITERATURE THREE GREAT AMERICAN CLASSICS & AUTHORS OF THE 19TH CENTURY Nathaniel Hawthorne, Herman Melville and Mark Twain, each wrote American classics that firmly establish these writers as three of America's most important authors. They have shaped and influenced American literature to such a degree that their names stand out as truly exceptional, American authors of the 19th Century. Nathaniel Hawthorne – The Hawthorne Legacy, The Scarlet Letter Herman Melville – The Melville Legacy, Moby Dick Mark Twain – The Twain Legacy, the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn For over twenty years James H. Bride II, host, has been producing and directing educational documentaries focusing on American and British writers. This series is an invaluable addition to class curriculum providing immediate access for students and teachers offering insights and interpretations to help explain the literary works of these literary giants. Grade Level: 9 – 12 Curriculum: Language Arts, American Literature THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY - THE SCARLET LETTER ABOUT THE AUTHOR Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) The Hawthorne Legacy completes an overview of Nathaniel Hawthorne's life (1804-1864) and selected works published in nineteenth century American literature. Amongst his many novels, The Scarlet Letter which still reflects the moral and ethical dilemmas men and women face today, is explored in depth. This program is the first of three Masters of American Literature series produced and directed and hosted by James H. Bride ll to include "The Melville Legacy," and "The Mark Twain Legacy." ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Hawthorne Legacy offers students, teachers and interested readers an overview into the life and writings of Nathaniel Hawthorne, a pre-eminent 19th century American novelist. Divided into five chapters each program is intended for class discussion and individual learning. Experienced scholars will explore themes, ideas and writing style in several short stories and The Scarlet Letter. This program will examine and explore why his historical and moral concerns then, are still appropriate for discussion today. TEACHER STUDENT BENEFITS: All filming shot at historical places bringing time, place and person to life- Salem, Concord, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Appropriate tie-ins to moral and social questions for today's society. Concise Chapter content offers time for adequate teacher/student discussion. Stimulating content for writing papers, classroom discussion & extended research. Chapter 1 - Brief Hawthorne Biography: Nathaniel Hawthorne was born in Salem Massachusetts in 1804 and died on vacation at Plymouth, New Hampshire 1864. After graduating from Bowdoin College, Hawthorne lived in Salem, Concord, and Pittsfield Massachusetts then later, as American consul in Liverpool, England. For his final Concord years, Hawthorne resided at 'Wayside' in a neighborhood that included Emerson, Thoreau, the Alcotts and other transcendental writers. Chapter 2 - Writing & Working: Even though writing was his personal and professional passion; Hawthorne had to work in various occupations to supplement his meager manuscript royalties. From his working experiences in the Boston and Salem Custom Houses, as well as Brook Farm- a transcendental community in West Roxbury, Massachusetts- Hawthorne developed plots for the Scarlet Letter, Blithedale Romance, several tales and short stories. Chapter 3 - Fictional Historical Characters: Several Hawthorne stories are based upon his 17th century ancestral colonial connections. In particular was his puritanical family lineage fraught with the persecution of Quakers and 'witches' that provided a dilemma for his fictional characters. Major characters discussed in detail include: Hester Prynne, Arthur Dimmesdale, Roger Chillinsworth, Ethan Brand and Young Goodman Brown. Chapter 4 - Narrative Themes: Is rich with figurative language, moral and ethical issues, character development & historical events in 18th century New England. Various literary issues from Ethan Brand, Young Goodman Brown, The Minister's Black Veil, Rappaccini's Daughter and The Scarlet Letter will be compared and contrasted. Chapter 5 - The Scarlet Letter: Published in 1850, offers multiple interpretations by scholars: Larry Reynolds, Brenda Wineapple, Millicent Bell, William Waterson who remind us how Hawthorne's insights and observations prove relevant then as well as today. About the Host & Presenters Hosted by James H. Bride II. The Hawthorne legacy Presenters include; Richard H. Baker, Professor, Noble and Greenough School, Brenda Wineapple, Professor at Union college; Larry Reynolds, Professor at the University of Texas; Millicent Bell, Professor Emerita, Boston University; William Waterson, Professor at Bowdoin College. All offer illuminating and fascinating interpretations for everyone to understand and enjoy. L4818DVD 30 min. UPC: 709629048188 SRP: $69.95 L4818DVD $69.95 THE MELVILLE LEGACY - MOBY DICK ABOUT THE AUTHOR Herman Melville (1819-1891) The Melville Legacy is a program that explores the life and works of Herman Melville (1819-1891), one of America's most renowned 19th century authors. In his novels, Typee, Omoo, and Moby Dick, Melville demonstrates his mastery of the epic sea story, the latter considered by many to be the preeminent American novel. This DVD program is part of a series of three Masters of American Literature produced, directed and hosted by James H. Bride ll to include "The Hawthorne Legacy," and "The Mark Twain Legacy." ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Melville Legacy offers students, teachers and interested readers a complete overview of the life, times and writing of Herman Melville, focusing on Moby Dick. Divided into five chapters each program is intended for class and group discussion. Experienced scholars will explore themes, ideas and language in Moby Dick and analyze Melville's distinctive writing style. The program materials will demonstrate why Melville is considered a major figure in world literature. TEACHER STUDENT BENEFITS: Filmed on location at 'Arrowhead' Pittsfield, New Bedford and Lennox, Massachusetts. Explores moral and social issues appropriate to today's culture. Chapter video segments reveal whaling on the high seas. Concise Chapter content designed to focus and inspire teacher & student discussions. Stimulating topics for paper writing, projects, classroom discussion & extended research. Chapter 1 - Brief Melville Biography: Herman Melville (1819-1891) was born in New York City. He moved to Albany after his father, Allen, went into bankruptcy and died when Melville was twelve years old. Melville left school at 15, working at various jobs to help support his family, before seeking adventure on the high seas. Upon his return he married Elizabeth Shaw, daughter of the Chief Justice of Massachusetts, and began a long and distinguished writing career, although readers of the time had difficulty with the complex symbolism of Moby Dick. The greatness of the novel was not recognized until thirty years after his death. Chapter 2 - Writing Moby Dick: Melville was the first major 19th century American novelist to write and successfully publish whaling and other sea lore stories. Ironically, Melville wrote Moby Dick many years after leaving the life of the sea, though he drew much from his four years in the South Seas. His thorough knowledge of the Bible and Shakespeare shaped his narrative and characters in Moby Dick. Chapter 3 - Melville's Literary Perspective: Melville's thorough knowledge of the Bible and Shakespeare, interwoven with his experiences, shaped his narrative and characters in Moby Dick. In his melodic rhetorical style, Melville uses his knowledge of the whaling industry to spin a metaphoric tale of the high seas that is fatalistic in its critique of American class prejudice and the nature of good and evil. By chance Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne -The Hawthorne Legacy- became great friends while living in the Berkshires, in the western part of Massachusetts. The two exchanged ideas, letters and experiences that have become an enduring legacy in American literary friendships. In fact, Hawthorne's name was listed on the Moby Dick Dedication page. Chapter 4 - "Call Me Ishmael": The opening sentence identifying the narrator of Moby Dick, calls upon biblical references which Melville knew by heart. Similarly, Melville draws on his knowledge of Shakespeare in portraying the master of the whale ship Pequot, Captain Ahab. These opening three words become the basis from which the narrative perspective develops. Chapter 5 - A Whale of a Story: This twelve minute segment offers specific interpretations of several Moby Dick chapters; "Loomings," "The Quarterdeck" and "The Doubloon." Additionally, extensive whaling footage at the beginning of the 20th century features men at sea killing a whale and then cutting-it on board the whale ship while under sail. Each presenter summarizes his/her thoughts about Moby Dick's relevance in today's world. About The Host & Presenters Hosted by James H. Bride II. The Melville Legacy presenters include: John Bryant, Professor at Hofstra University; Merton Sealts, Emeritus, University of Wisconsin; Laurie Robertson-Laurent, Melville biographer; Martin Bickman, Professor University of Colorado; Walter Bezanson, Emeritus, Rutgers University. L4819DVD 30 min. UPC: 709629048195 SRP: $69.95 L4819DVD $69.95 THE TWAIN LEGACY - THE ADVENTURES OF HUCKLEBERRY FINN ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mark Twain (1835-1910) The Twain Legacy introduces an overview of Mark Twain's life, times and interpretation of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. There are extensive references to his early childhood in Hannibal, Missouri, his use of African American Dialect, his antipathy toward slavery and his effective use of irony in the story line. Even today The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn faces challenges from educational groups and whether this fictional story should be taught in the classroom. Leading scholars Shelly Fisher Fishkin, Justin Kaplan and David Lionel Smith put forward significant commentary promoting this classical American novel reading and studying. The Twain Legacy is the third of three Masters of American Literature series produced, directed and hosted by James H. Bride ll including "The Melville Legacy" and "The Nathaniel Hawthorne Legacy." ABOUT THE PROGRAM The Twain Legacy offers students and teachers an insight into the life and writings of Mark Twain, a significant 19th century American literary icon. 'The Twain Legacy' is divided into five chapters intended for class and individual learning and discussion. Knowledgeable scholars explore themes, ideas and narrative style in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. By examining and exploring why his historical and moral concerns were important, the presenters weave Twain's themes of slavery, prejudice and class into a coherent awareness. TEACHER STUDENT BENEFITS: All filming shot at historical places bringing time, place and person to life. Appropriate tie-ins to moral and social questions for today's society. Chapter length segments at 9 minutes or less for classroom teaching. Concise Chapter content provides space for adequate teacher/student discussion. Stimulating content for writing papers, classroom discussion and extended research. Chapter 1- Twain Overview: Mark Twain is the pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemons, born in Hannibal, Missouri in 1835 and died in 1910 in Reddington, Connecticut. Twain experienced a mixture of careers including journalism, riverboat piloting, essayist, short story writer and novelist, especially in 1885, with the publication of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Ironically, his pen name, Mark Twain, means smooth sailing, which is in contrast to the stormy subjects explored in his stories. Chapter 2 - Twain's Hannibal, Missouri: Twain's personal and professional experiences from childhood and adult recollections are all intertwined in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. His narrative offers an abundance of serious and humorous incidences that reveal life experiences on the American frontier. Twain's upbringing in Hannibal, Missouri, where slavery was still a fact of life, had a great influence on his fictional character developments as well as illuminating accounts of racial relations in America. Chapter 3 - Twains' Use of Dialect: Twain listened and wrote with great respect for all Americans, especially African-American speakers. From early childhood and into adulthood, Twain heard their dialogue and wrote with accuracy and empathy. Well known writers, Shelly Fisher Fishkin, Justin Kaplan and David Lionel Smith shed new light on Jim and Huck's dialect and its importance in 19th century American literature. Though many critics penned acerbic comments about Jim's dialect, few could criticize Twain's attempts to bring this correct voice for African Americans and Midwestern Americans into fiction. Chapter 4 - Twain's Awareness of Slavery: In the 1870s slavery and Reconstruction were controversial in America. Mark Twain weaves the themes of slavery, prejudice and class effectively and controversially in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. With numerous suggestions about the challenges in protecting Jim as a slave, various events reveal prejudice and class distinctions among the wealthy and corrupt to imposters and charlatans. Chapter 5 - Twain's Use of Irony: As a literary stratagem, irony, can be so subtle that readers might misunderstand the author's real intention for its use. Twain's irony stimulates discussion in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn about Jim and Huck escaping oppression: Jim to freedom and Huck to the west. In it first publication Twain's use of irony proved baffling to many critics and readers. This chapter advances discussion regarding Twain's genius in writing a book that still resonates with vibrancy, controversy and authority. About the Host & Presenters Hosted by James H. Bride II. 'The Twain Legacy' scholars who appear on camera include: Shelly Fisher Fishkin, noted Twain biographer, professor at the University of Texas; David Lionel Smith, academic, writer, English professor, and Dean at Williams College; Justin Kaplan, noted author and Twain biographer. All present illuminating and fascinating interpretations for a book that has often been banned in America. L4820DVD 30 min. UPC: 709629048201 SRP: $69.95 L4820DVD $69.95 Call Toll-Free (800) 262-8862 Fax orders 24 hours a day to (310) 574-0886 Mail orders: 2321 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, CA 90291 Copyright © 1998-2003 TMW Media Group. All rights reserved.