Conversation class 1.

Let’s get to know each other: identity

1- Read this poem by Emily Dickinson. What is her view on identities?

I'm Nobody! Who are you?

Are you -- Nobody -- Too?
Then there's a pair of us!
Don't tell! they'd advertise -- you know!

How dreary -- to be -- Somebody!

How public -- like a Frog --
To tell one's name -- the livelong June --
To an admiring Bog

2- Now look at the poem again and in pairs or groups, try to analyze it looking at these points:
 Great writers create contrasts, which contrasts can you find in this poem?
 Which metaphors do we generally use to talk about celebrities? Which metaphor does she use? Can you explain
its meaning?
 Who is she talking to?

3- Replace 5 words in the poem. It should still make sense!

4- Expand the poem. Include two more lines.
5- Discuss in pairs or groups. Do you consider yourself a nobody or a somebody? Do you consider yourself the
same in different situations and aspects of life?
6- What is the relationship between your name and these two concepts?

What’s in a name?

7- In pairs or groups describe this picture. Who are they’ What can you see? Make speculations, predictions, talk
about feelings and everything you can say. You have to speak for at least 2 minutes each.
 8- Read this extract from Romeo and Juliet and discuss Juliet’s claim about Romeo’s name.

Juliet: ‘Oh Romeo, Romeo,’ ‘Why are you Romeo? I wish you could stop being a Montague. Or if you won’t, just say you
love me and I’ll stop being a Capulet.’

‘It’s only your name that’s my enemy.’ she continued. ‘You’re still what you are, Montague or no Montague.’

‘Anyway, what’s “Montague”? It’s not as though it’s a hand or a foot, or an arm or a face, or anything like that. Oh I wish
you could be some other name. What’s in a name, anyway? The flower that we call a rose would smell as sweet
whatever we called it. Whatever name. Oh Romeo, throw your name out and take all of me instead.’

Romeo: ‘I’ll take you at your word,’ ‘Just call me ‘Love’ and that will be my new name. From now on I’m not Romeo.’

9- Juliet’s soliloquy has been deeply analyzed in terms of its relationship to the construction of identity. Discuss
your opinion in pairs. You can use these ideas to help you: social construct – labeling- identity in relation to
others-

10- Ask your partners this question: who are you? Nobody can answer with a name!

11- Discuss in pairs or groups:

 Who chose your name? Do you like it? Would you change it? Why/Why not?
 Do you know the meaning of your name?
 Do you think your name has an effect on your life?
 Is your name usually considered: old fashioned- traditional, glamorous?
 Do you use your middle name instead of your first one? If so, why?
 Do people have a stereotype that they associate with your name? If not, can you think of any examples of this?
 Do you have a nickname or did you use to have one? Which one? Why did you get it? Did you choose it?

Names in your country:

 Which names have become popular in recent years? Is this because of TV, films, sports, etc?
 Have any names become unpopular? Why?
 Do parents tend to name their children after family members? Why do you think this happens?
 What things should parents take into account when they chose their children’s names?

12- Reorder the poem “My name” by the author Sandra Cisneros and after reading it, comment on the many
things the speaker mentions about her name. What are the good and the bad aspects she associates with it?