Sula (2021)

Lesson 3
icon/ela/white

ELA

Unit 16

10th Grade

Lesson 3 of 31

Objective


Analyze and explain how Morrison characterizes Helene.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Sula by Toni Morrison  pp. 17 – 24

Fishtank Plus

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

Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does Morrison portray one of Helene’s central conflicts in the very first paragraph?

How do the black people on the train feel about Helene? Explain.

How is Helene transformed as the train moves South? Why? Use specific details from the reading in your response.

Key Questions


  • Based on the first paragraph, what can the reader assume about Helene’s mother? 
  • How does Morrison portray one of Helene’s central conflicts in the very first paragraph?
  • What can the reader assume about Helene’s marriage?
  • How has Helene’s mother shaped her opinion of beauty?
  • How does Helene parent Nel?
  • What news does Helene receive on p. 19? 
  • How does Helene prepare for the trip? Why? 
  • What critical mistake does Helene make? Why is this a problem? 
  • What does Morrison’s diction on p. 21 reveal?

Notes


  • Helene’s character is key to understanding Nel’s character later on in the book. 
  • Helene is strict and rigid and trying to escape her mother’s shameful past as a prostitute. However, she is forced to come face to face with her identity when she travels South to mourn her grandmother. This is also Nel’s first glimpse of the world and of women other than her mother. 
  • Assign pp. 24–27 for homework. 

Next

Contrast Sula’s family life with Nel’s and explain how the differences contribute to their friendship.

Lesson 4
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