D-E’s Grade 10 Honors English classes gathered in Hajjar Auditorium to analyze Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, a coming-of-age novel about a Black man that blends elements of fantasy and reality. The activity was led by Grade 10 Dean Stephanie “Tuc” Tucker, English Department Chair Jeremy Meserole, and English Teacher Joshua Vargas. “The purpose of the workshop is to share information about the novel we are all reading and to introduce the culminating assessment, which each student will complete, together,” says Tuc.Song of Solomon is one of the “foundational texts in the Honors course,” says Mr. Meserole. “This was a chance to come together to understand the complexity of the novel… a chance to think collaboratively.” Students discussed the class struggle in the work, addressed how the audience impacts storytelling, and compared the text with Nella Larsen’s Passing, a novel that explores race and identity. Tuc reiterated that the workshop was “a sharing of ideas across classrooms” as well as focused on the craft of writing. The thoughtful discussions that arose from students during the workshop made it clear that the text resonated beyond the words.
