Reading as Resistance: Reading Lolita in Tehran

Lesson 23
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 5

10th Grade

Lesson 23 of 29

Objective


Analyze the internal and external conflicts the women and Nafisi face over the decision to leave Iran. 

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi  — pp. 283–288, 295–301, 311–314

Fishtank Plus

Unlock features to optimize your prep time, plan engaging lessons, and monitor student progress.

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How does Nafisi explain the "ordeal of freedom" on page 311? How does the concept shape your understanding of the conflicting feelings characters have when deciding whether or not to leave Iran?

Sample Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

What different reasons do the women have for wanting to stay in or leave Iran? Which reason most resonates with you, and why?

How does Nafisi respond to the concert (pages 299–301) and the raid in the coffee shop (pages 312–314)? How do these moments impact her feelings about living in Iran?

Vocabulary


Text-based

ordeal

n.

(p. 288)

something painful or difficult to go through

Homework


  • Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi  — pp. 315–328, 330–339

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • How do different people in Nafisi's life react to her decision to leave—her students, her parents, her children, her friends?

  • What is a "patient stone"? Do you have a patient stone in your life?

  • What was the magician's advice to Nafisi? What is his surprising rule once she makes her decision to leave?

  • What is Nassrin's plan for leaving Iran?

  • Why is Manna angry with Nafisi?

  • How does Mitra feel after her trip to Damascus? Why? 

  • What does Nafisi's former student secretly name her daughter? Why?

  • To what does Nafisi compare memories? What final memory of her students does she share?

  • What does Nafisi think is necessary for genuine democracy? Why?

Notes for Teachers

This reading references sexual molestation on page 323. Be sure students are aware of this content when assigned the reading.

Enhanced Lesson Plan

Fishtank Plus Content

Bring your most engaging lessons to life with comprehensive instructional guidance, detailed pacing, supports to meet every student's needs, and resources to strengthen your lesson planning and delivery.

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 how the final anecdotes of the memoir develop Nafisi's themes about choice, freedom, and fiction.

Lesson 24
icon/arrow/right/large

Lesson Map

A7CB09C2-D12F-4F55-80DB-37298FF0A765

Request a Demo

See all of the features of Fishtank in action and begin the conversation about adoption.

Learn more about Fishtank Learning School Adoption.

Contact Information

School Information

What courses are you interested in?

ELA

Math

Are you interested in onboarding professional learning for your teachers and instructional leaders?

Yes

No

Any other information you would like to provide about your school?

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We Handle Materials So You Can Focus on Students

We've got you covered with rigorous, relevant, and adaptable ELA lesson plans for free