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Crossing Borders: Migration, Identity, and Belonging in Exit West
Students will explore Mohsin Hamid's depiction of the refugee experience through his novel that blends realistic fiction with elements of magical realism. They will analyze the impact of migration on identity and sense of belonging while also considering migration as a universal human experience.
ELA
Unit 4
12th Grade
Unit Summary
As of 2024, 43.7 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes due to war, violence, or human rights violations. Hamid explores the current global refugee crisis through Nadia and Saeed whose nameless city has been ravaged by civil war. When magical doors offer them the opportunity to escape, Nadia and Saeed become refugees. By combining this magical realism element into his novel, Hamid shifts focus from the physical migration journey to the emotional and psychological effects of displacement.
The unit opens with an analysis of the poem "Home" by Warsan Shire, introducing the themes of home and the refugee experience that students will examine throughout the novel. While reading Exit West, students will analyze how Hamid uses Nadia, Saeed, and their relationship to explore the effects of migration on identity and one's sense of belonging. Students will also consider Hamid's narrative voice and structure in which he weaves other stories of migration into his main storyline, expanding the idea of migration and showing "we are all migrants through time" (p. 209). Additionally, students will engage in a mid-unit text set, deepening their understanding of the characters and themes by providing real-world context, diverse perspectives, and factual information about refugees.
After reading the novel, students will read and discuss essays from The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugees Lives, selecting one to compare and contrast with Exit West in its exploration of migration themes. Following this performance task, students will conduct a final research project with classmates, exploring a country with a current refugee crisis and developing a website to convey their research in an engaging and informative way, raising awareness and inspiring people to take action.
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Texts and Materials
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Core Materials
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Book: Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
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Book: The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Supporting Materials
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Poem: “Home” by Warsan Shire (Amnesty International)
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lnfographic: Refugee Data Finder (UNHCR)
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lnfographic: Figures at a glance (UNHCR)
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Video: “What migrants face as they journey through the deadly Darién Gap” (PBS NewsHour)
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Video: “I AM A REFUGEE: Global refugees share their stories” (Global Citizen)
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Article: “Syrian Refugees Share Cherished Cellphone Snaps” (Newsweek)
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Exhibit: Space in Between by Margarita Cabrera (Wellin Museum of Art, Hamilton College)
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Illustration: Perspective by Thi Bui (p. 63 in The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives)
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Illustration: What Gets Lost by Thi Bui (p. 65 of The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives)
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Excerpt: "Guests of the Holy Roman Empress Maria Theresa" by Lev Golinken (pp. 75–80)
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Excerpt: "The Parent Who Stays" by Reyna Grande (pp. 81–89)
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Excerpt: "Refugees and Exiles" by Marina Lewycka (pp. 129–135)
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Excerpt: "A Refugee Again" by Vu Tran (pp. 165–171)
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Resource: Hamid Syntax Handout (G12, U4)
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Resource: Exit West Text Set Handout (G12, U4)
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Resource: Performance Task Mentor Text (G12, U4)
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Resource: Peer Review Worksheet (G12, U4)
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Resource: Mentor Google Site (G12, U4)
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Resource: Gallery Walk Form (G12, U4)
- Resource: Recommended Texts for Independent Reading
Assessment
These assessments accompany Unit 4 and should be given on the days suggested in the Lesson Map. Additionally, there are formative and creative assessments integrated into the unit to prepare students for the Performance Task.
Performance Task
The Performance Task is the culminating assessment of the unit in which students have the opportunity to show the skills and content they have learned.
Research Project
The Research Project gives students the opportunity to dive deeper into a topic related to the content and/or themes in the unit.
Unit Prep
Intellectual Prep
Essential Questions
- How does migration shape a person's identity, relationships, and sense of belonging?
- What defines a home? Is it a physical place, the people in it, the memories of it, or something else?
- In what way(s) is migration a universal human experience?
Vocabulary
Text-based
benevolencedisconcertinginterminableirreverencemilitantnativistperilousrancorrespitetransientuntethered
Literary Terms
enjambmentironymagical realismmoodnarrative point of viewsymbolsyntaxtone
To see all the vocabulary for Unit 4, view our 12th Grade Vocabulary Glossary.
Notes for Teachers
- Exit West includes depiction of war, trauma, and the experiences of refugees as they navigate dangerous and life-altering circumstances. Some students, especially those who have been personally touched by the experience of displacement, may find these themes emotionally challenging. Be prepared to provide appropriate support for students who may be affected by these topics.
- This unit focuses primarily on the experience of refugees and does not go into extensive detail about the complex and contentious politics of refugee aid and resettlement. You may wish to supplement this unit with up-to-the-moment information about laws and policies that impact refugees. Consider providing information about how the world refugee crisis impacts your own state, city, and community—and how politicians representing your area have responded to these issues.
- When teaching about refugees in relation to the novel Exit West, it is crucial to use language that is respectful and accurate, avoiding terms that may be biased or sensationalized. Remind students not to generalize about refugees and to use language that emphasizes their humanity. Below are some resources to prepare yourself and your students:
Lesson Map
Common Core Standards
Core Standards
Supporting Standards
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