Reading as Resistance: Reading Lolita in Tehran

Lesson 14
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ELA

Unit 5

10th Grade

Lesson 14 of 29

Objective


Analyze Lorraine Ali's purpose in her article "Behind the Veil."

Readings and Materials


  • Article: “Behind the Veil” by Lorraine Ali 

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A Note for Teachers


Discussions around religion and culture—particularly those that are marginalized within broader American society—should always be handled with extreme sensitivity. The conversation around this topic will obviously vary depending on the demographics of your school and community, and some questions may be more appropriate than others depending on the students in your classroom.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

What is Ali's purpose in "Behind the Veil"? What rhetorical choices does she make to convey that purpose?

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

Analyze the tone of the article. How does Ali's tone shape the reader's perception of the topic?

What evidence and examples does Ali provide for the diverse reasons people choose to veil? How effective are these rhetorical strategies in convincing the reader?

Does Ali give equal weight to different viewpoints, or does she prioritize certain perspectives over others? How does this framing shape the overall message of the article?

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

tone

an author/speaker’s attitude toward a topic or an audience, which is often conveyed through word choice and/or literary devices

Homework


  • Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi  — pp. 122–136

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Who comes to class with Mahtab on the day of the trial? On what condition does Nafisi allow her to continue coming to class?

  • Which student does not attend the trial? 

  • Who serves as the prosecutor during the trial? Who serves as the defendant?

  • Identify one argument Mr. Nyazi makes against the book and one argument Zarrin makes in defense of the book.

  • What is the outcome of the trial?

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Standards


  • RI.9-10.4 — Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze the cumulative impact of specific word choices on meaning and tone (e.g., how the language of a court opinion differs from that of a newspaper).
  • RI.9-10.6 — Determine an author's point of view or purpose in a text and analyze how an author uses rhetoric to advance that point of view or purpose.

Supporting Standards

L.9-10.1
L.9-10.6
RI.9-10.1
RI.9-10.10
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.9.b
W.9-10.10

Next

Analyze how the Gatsby trial further develops Nafisi's theme about the importance of literature.

Lesson 15
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