Reading as Resistance: Reading Lolita in Tehran

Lesson 15
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ELA

Unit 5

10th Grade

Lesson 15 of 29

Objective


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

Readings and Materials


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

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A Note for Teachers


The Gatsby trial includes spoilers for the novel. While students might not understand the specific references to characters and scenes in the novel, they can trace the arguments for and against reading it, which serves to develop Nafisi's important theme about the role of literature in society.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does the Gatsby trial further develop Nafisi's theme about the role of literature in our lives? 

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

What are Mr. Nyazi's arguments against the novel The Great Gatsby? What rhetorical appeals does he use to develop his argument?

How does Zarrin respond to Mr. Nyazi and defend the novel? What rhetorical appeals does she use to develop her argument?

What defense of the novel does Nafisi offer? How does she ultimately feel about the outcome of the trial?

Vocabulary


Literary Terms

logical fallacy

common error in reasoning that undermines the logic of an argument

Text-based

illicit

adj.

(p. 126)

not allowed by law or custom

Homework


  • Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi  — pp. 137–140, 146–153

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • Who is Professor R? What story does Vida tell about the last "stunt" he pulled at the university?

  • What did the government announce in the spring?

  • What happens to the University of Tehran?

  • What does Nafisi mean when she says she became "irrelevant" in the spring of 1981?

  • What is Nafisi's issue with the veil?

  • Which student defends Nafisi from expulsion? Were you surprised by this?

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Standards


  • RI.9-10.2 — Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
  • 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.9-10.8
RI.9-10.10
SL.9-10.1
SL.9-10.6
W.9-10.9.b
W.9-10.10

Next

Analyze how individuals show resistance to the government's cultural revolution as it impacts the University of Tehran.

Lesson 16
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