Connecting Literature with Music
(An Arts-Based Lesson for Middle School Students)

by Daisy T. Lu, Ph.D.
Music Specialist, Cascade View Elementary School, Tukwila School District, WA
Adjunct Faculty Member, Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA

Rationale:

The Greek perception of an educated person is derived from a paradigm often referred to as "The Greek Triangle." It includes math for the development of a healthy brain, physical education for the development of a healthy body, and music for the development of a healthy sensitivity. This multidimensional "whole-brain" model serves well in contemporary education which has a focus on the mind through the "basics": reading, writing, and math. Physical education receives a good amount of reinforcement through daily play and sports. Music, however, appears to be occurring less frequently in the daily lives of children. We have shifted from a doing-music mentality to a consuming-music passivity, neglecting the development of a three dimensional model proposed by Plato. The great Chinese philosopher-teacher, Confucius, advocated the fine arts when he expressed his highly valuable concerns for the development of a sensitive and intelligent man. The well respected Hungarian composer-music educator remarked, "There is no complete man without music."

The Lesson: Connecting Literature With Music

Objectives:

To enable students to see with their intuitive mind a meaningful and deepening relationship between music and story structure; To allow students to explore their own meaning within through creative keyboard representation.

Procedure:

  1. Compare an opera to other ways of representing meaning through music.

  2. Listen to the music with closed eyes. Visualize what you "see" through listening.

  3. Look at the slide and determine which recurring musical representation stands for each of the following. Play on the piano or select a commercial one that fits:

The story:

Long ago, according to legends, there lived a magical horse named Pegasus. Pegasus was a beautiful white horse with widely spread steady wings. He was wild and free, and he flew and galloped gracefully across the sky.

At that same moment in history lived a hero by the name of Bellerophon. One day, as Bellerophon slept, he had a very special dream. In the dream, the goddess, Minerva, whispered to him that he could capture Pegasus and ride that great horse.

Bellerophon woke up from the dream and, lo and behold, a golden bridle lay beside him. Bellerophon stood and started chasing Pegasus with enthusiasm and courage. Not without conscious effort, Bellerophon used the golden bridle to capture the great Pegasus, finally leaping on his back and riding him gallantly. Knowing that he was riding a very special and noble horse, Bellerophon decided to battle with the terrible monster, Chimeara, who was terrorizing the kingdom.

With great strength and bravery, Bellerophon and Pegasus swept down from the sky and fought the terrible monster, Chimeara. A great struggle ensued on both sides, for the monster was strong and defensive. But in the end, Bellerophon prevailed as the monster was destroyed.

Over time, Bellerophon and Pegasus became great friends. They flew around the world protecting good people in different kingdoms. They were loved and revered by all.

One day, as Bellerophon gained more self-confidence in overcoming evil, he decided to ride Pegasus and head towards the sun to visit the gods on Mount Olympus. He and Pegasus flew higher and higher in the direction of the sun, elegantly and majestically. But the god, Jupiter, became angry upon such a sight, for he did not want any mortal in his kingdom, Mount Olympus. Jupiter then called on a gnat and sent him flying in the direction of Pegasus, attacking him on the face. Startled, Pegasus suddenly reared back in a jerk, throwing Bellerophon off balance and down.......down towards earth. But the goddess, Minerva, anticipating this crisis, had placed a soft pillow on the ground for Bellerophon to fall on so he would not be hurt. In the meantime, Pegasus flew away........farther and farther away.

Bellerophon never rode Pegasus again. He became a beautiful legend flying forever gracefully across the boundless horizon.

Play music for students to enhance the plot and meaning of each story part. Ask students to identify each part, as listed above, while the music plays. Bellerophon's them reoccurs. Listen for that. Consider the different elements of music in interpreting these ideas musically - rhythm, dynamics, phrasing, tempo, color, etc.

Evaluation:

Students improvise each part of the story on the piano. Interpretive and creative dance/drama is performed with the music. New music can be composed to adapt the story.