Feminism and Self-Respect in Sula

Lesson 11
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ELA

Unit 3

10th Grade

Lesson 11 of 21

Objective


Examine Morrison’s description of Sula and Nel’s upbringings and explain the impact it has on their friendship

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Sula by Toni Morrison  pp. 27 – 32 — Part 1

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Target Task


Writing Prompt

How does Morrison’s description of Sula’s upbringing compare to that of Nel’s? What impact do their upbringings have on their friendship?

Criteria for Success

  • Thesis: Responds to the prompt with a thesis that presents a defensible interpretation
  • Evidence: Includes multiple and varied evidence to support your line of reasoning
  • Commentary: Explains how your evidence supports your line of reasoning (reason or claim used to support a larger thesis)
  • Sophistication: Demonstrates sophistication of thought or develops a complex literary argument  

Sample Response

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Key Thinking


Annotation Focus

What lines, words, and phrases describe Sula’s family and upbringing? 

What lines, words, and phrases describe Nel’s family and upbringing? 

Pages 27-29

  • What are Helene’s main concerns when she arrives at home? What does this reveal about Nel’s family and upbringing?
  • What key detail about Nel’s life do we discover on p. 29? Why is this significant? 
  • Read the following line from p. 29: “When Sula first visited the Wright house, Helene’s curdled scorn turned to butter.” What does Morrison mean here? In other words, what impact does Sula have on Helene?

Pages 30-32

  • Who lives in Sula’s house and what does this suggest about what her family values and what her household and family values?
  • How does Morrison describe Sula’s house, her mother, and her grandmother? 
  • How has Eva’s status as a single mother impacted her ability to raise her children? 

Discourse Questions

How does Morrison’s description of Sula’s upbringing compare to that of Nel’s? What impact do their upbringings have on their friendship?

Homework


Read and annotate Part 2 of Sula, pages 88-174.

  • Annotation Focus: 
    • How does Sula and Nel’s relationship evolve? 
    • What are your first impressions of Sula’s relationship with the community of the Bottom?

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Standards


  • LO 1.3B — Analyze how the writer's use of stylistic elements contributes to a work of literature's effects and meaning.
  • 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.

Supporting Standards

LO 1.3A
LO 2.3A
LO 2.3B
LO 2.3C
RL.9-10.1
RL.9-10.2
SL.9-10.1
W.9-10.2
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Lesson 12

Lesson Map

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