Reading as Resistance: Reading Lolita in Tehran

Lesson 20
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ELA

Unit 5

10th Grade

Lesson 20 of 29

Objective


Analyze the role of imagination and courage in our relationship to others and our society. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi  — pp. 232–235, 238–246, 248–253

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Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

What is Nafisi's tone on pages 251–253 towards the young man who set himself on fire at the university? How does she demonstrate through her writing ideas about the connection between courage and empathy?

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

How does the relationship between the regime and its citizens change as the war with Iraq continues and once the war is over?

What is Nafisi's purpose for describing in great detail Khomeini's funeral on pages 244–246? What does the citizens' reaction to his death reveal about their complicated relationship with him?

What different kinds of courage emerge from James' characters? 

Vocabulary


Text-based

assent

n.

(p. 246)

the expression of approval or agreement

Homework


  • Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi  — Read pages 257–266, 269–273, 277–283

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What news does Sanaz share with the reading group?

  • What is the Dear Jane Society? Besides Nassrin bringing it up, why else do you think Nafisi includes this anecdote? 

  • What is one of Yassi's uncle's pressuring her to do?

  • What does Azin share with the group about her marriage?

  • What happens to Sanaz's engagement?

  • What does Nafisi blame for all of her girls' troubles? How does the magician respond to that?

Notes for Teachers

This section of reading describes physical and emotional domestic abuse on page 272–273. Be sure that students are made aware of this content when assigned the reading.

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Standards


  • RI.9-10.3 — Analyze how the author unfolds an analysis or series of ideas or events, including the order in which the points are made, how they are introduced and developed, and the connections that are drawn between them.
  • RI.9-10.5 — Analyze in detail how an author's ideas or claims are developed and refined by particular sentences, paragraphs, or larger portions of a text (e.g., a section or chapter).

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 the mood and structure at the start of Part 4.

Lesson 21
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