Teacher Tips – “What’s in a Name?” by Diane Dougherty
Posted by dbarrie on October 27, 2009
We know that proper nouns come packed with connotations. When I sought names for my own children, I was keenly aware of how a particular name could become playground fodder. “Oscar” suggests one thing; “David” another. Art Peterson in his practical and informative The Writer’s Workout Book suggests using names to discuss with students the subtexts words can summon. We need look no further than Charles Dickens for fitting character names. Try this exercise with students.
First read descriptions of characters from Dickens (or other age-appropriate authors):
“Some people likened him to a direction-post, which is always telling the way to a place, and never goes there.” [Seth Pecksniff in Martin Chuzzlewit]
“…a face in which a queer attempt at melancholy was at odds with a smirk of satisfaction” [Mould Undertaker in Martin Chuzzlewit]
“An attorney of no good repute” and “One of the greatest scoundrels unhung.” [Sampson Brass The Old Curiosity Shop]
“When Monsieur…laughed, a change took place in his face, that was more remarkable than prepossessing. His moustache went up under his nose, and his nose came down over his moustache, in a very sinister and cruel manner” [Riguad/Blandois/Lagnier in Little Dorrit]
Then, give students a list of Dickens-like or real Dickens names such as:
Wilkens Macawber
Rosa Dartle
James Carker
Alfred Jingle
Henrietta Nupkins
Rev. Mr. Stiggins
Dr. Slammer
Ms. Flite
Horatio Fitzkin, Esquire
Lady Dedlock
Challenge students to write a paragraph of one of the above characters describing his/her appearance, occupation, “lifestyle,” and temperament. Let them share and compare the associations they made from these names. The discussion that follows can become a vehicle for real understanding of the importance of word choice in writing.
