Reading as Resistance: Reading Lolita in Tehran

Lesson 6
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 5

10th Grade

Lesson 6 of 29

Objective


Analyze how certain events and anecdotes further develop Nafiisi's ideas about life in Tehran.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi  — pp. 24–34, 37–40

Fishtank Plus

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

Target Task


Discussion & Writing Prompt

How do Nafisi's anecdotes in Chapters 7–9 develop what life was like in Iran, particularly for women?

Sample Response

Upgrade to Fishtank Plus to view Sample Response.

Key Thinking


Close Read Questions

Who is the blind censor? How does Nafisi's anecdote about him relate to her reading group with the girls?

In Section 8 on pages 26–28, Nafisi asks the reader to follow Sanaz, taking an imaginary trip out of Nafisi's apartment back to her own home. Nafisi gave a detailed description of the scenes on the street. What is Nafisi trying to do? Why is this part important? 

On page 29, Nafisi describes the green gate at the entrance of the University of Allameh. Why is the green gate important? What does it symbolize?

Vocabulary


Text-based

ideology

n.

(p. 25)

a set of opinions or beliefs of a group or an individual; very often, ideology refers to a set of political beliefs or a set of ideas that characterize a particular culture

insubordination

n.

(p. 25)

defiance of authority; refusal to obey orders

Homework


  • Book: Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi  — pp. 44–55, 56–59

While reading, answer the following questions.

  • What question does Mitra pose to the reading group?

  • Why was Nafisi's father arrested? How long was he in jail?

  • What dream do almost all of the girls in the reading group have?

  • What is different about Nafisi's response to the regime during the day versus at night? Why?

  • How does Nafisi again characterize Nassrin at the start of Chapter 15?

  • In what way are Mahshid and Azin opposites? How does that impact their relationship in the reading group?

  • How does Nassrin's mother's experience demonstrate being caught between tradition and change?

  • What story does Nafisi's daughter Negar tell the group about what happened in school that day? How do the girls in the reading group support her?

Notes for Teachers

This reading references sexual abuse of a child by a family member. Be sure that students are made 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.9-10.4 — 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).

Supporting Standards

L.9-10.1
L.9-10.6
RI.9-10.1
RI.9-10.2
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 reading group develops Nafisi's ideas about insubordination.

Lesson 7
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