When She Woke

When She Woke

By Hillary Jordan      Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill (2011)               ISBN: 9781565126299

When She Woke, Hillary Jordan’s second novel, takes place in a not-so-distant future in Texas and mirrors Nathaniel Hawthorne’s classic, The Scarlet Letter. Jordan pulls from The Scarlet Letter by addressing issues like religious control, the balance between church and state, branding, and the individual and society (among others). When She Woke tells the story of Hanna Payne who has an affair with the local, married reverend, Aiden Dale. Their tryst results in an unwanted pregnancy and, ultimately, an abortion, which is outlawed by the government. As a result, Hannah is not imprisoned, but rather “chromed,” a process where felons’ skin is genetically altered to display their crimes. Hannah, upon being “chromed” red for murder, is released back into the population and endures a hostile reception, just like Hester Pryne. As Hannah desperately struggles to come to terms with her crime, she also battles with her relationship with God. Hannah rarely experiences acts of kindness, but when she does, she maintains hope for her future and faith in humanity.

Quantitative: Lexile Level--NA; ATOS--NA;

Flesch-Kincaid grade level—6.7; Flesch-Kincaid ease—77.1

Qualitative: The Flesch-Kincaid grade level and ease scores do not reflect the complex nature of When She Woke.  First, the novel offers multiple access points. While reading When She Woke, students can analyze the text by looking through various lenses: political, dystopian societies, government regulation, Supreme Court rulings, religion, and the connection to The Scarlet Letter. The novel’s genre may also prove difficult. Because the novel is set in a not-so-distant future, students may confuse the setting with one that is current and/or modern. Locations such as Dallas and Washington D.C. are mentioned which may trip readers that may not understand that the setting is in fact fictional and futuristic. In conjunction with the near-future time period, genetic engineering referred to as “chroming” will pose language difficulties. Vocabulary specific to the crimes committed by the novel’s characters do not come with any definitive explanation. Rather, readers must rely heavily on context clues to decipher these new terms’ meanings. Lastly, a reader’s background knowledge will greatly determine how many access points can be gained. If students are not familiar with guiding tenants of most religions, The Scarlet Letter, Roe vs. Wade, or current political tactics to attack a woman’s right to choose, then When She Woke loses its depth. This book is best for high school juniors and seniors.

Content Area: English; Government

Curriculum Suggestions: When She Woke, when used in English class, can highlight the not-so-outrageous means of discrimination and use of religion that The Scarlet Letter exposes. Thematically, these texts complement each other nicely. English teachers may also want to incorporate Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaiden’s Tale to continue the themes and ideas that originate in The Scarlet Letter.

Where I see Jordan’s novel being used most effectively is in a government class. Because students explore the Constitution, branches of government, and the execution of legislation, When She Woke shows how the Constitution is violated and begs the question: Are the circumstances that Jordan is presenting that far from becoming a reality? Government teachers may want to align this book with other books that touch on government regulation such as 1984 and Brave New World.

Common Core Standards: R 11/12.2, 7, 9.

Additional/Digital Content:

• Roe vs. Wade Overview--http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/rights/landmark_roe.html 
• The Constitution--http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html 
• About the Affordable Care Act--http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights/
• Modern movie connection--Easy A, directed by Will Gluck

Personal Thoughts: Aside from the relevant connections to the United States government and policy and classic literature, one vital aspect of When She Woke is the emphasis on women finding the strength, despite laws and regulation, to find their voice. It raises the question regarding a woman's involvement in making decisions for herself, including decisions about her own body, in addition to determining a woman's "worth" as is reflected in the current debate over equal pay for men and women--Paycheck Fairness Act. 

*Meets the “Contemporary Classic” requirement