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Exploring Setting

The novel Valley of the Dolls is set in New York City and Hollywood post WWII and until the 1960s. The New York and Hollywood of that time period are very different from the New York and Hollywood that we know today. Understanding the setting is crucial to understanding the book, so divide students into several small groups and have them research the settings and present their findings to the class. Their findings should include a one-page written report describing what life was like in their designated city during the time frame of the book and pictures that show hot spots, what people were like, and more.

Suggested groupings:

1) Divide New York into the Burrows (The Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island) and break LA up into important places (Hollywood, LA, Beverly Hills, etc...)

2) Only assign the portions of New York that are relevant to...

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