Literary Elements
How would you characterize Rasheed?
Rasheed is creepy/manipulative/mean/aggressive
Who did Mariam look up to as a child?
Jalil
What happened to Mariam's mom (Nana)?
She hung herself after Mariam walked to the city on her own to visit Jalil
Restructure this sentence so that it's a central idea.
In a Thousand Splendid Suns, Mariam learns that you can't trust old people like Jalil.
1,000 Splendid Suns teaches us that old people cannot be trusted.
Travis Kelsey's girlfriend just released a brand new album. What is it called?
The Tortured Poet's Department
What can we use to help characterize characters?
(Think STEAL)
What they say, think, effect on others, actions, looks
Why doesn't Mariam leave Rasheed?
She has nowhere else to go; no money, no family. She convinces herself multiple times that she can be happy with him.
How did Jalil disappoint Mariam?
He didn't let her into his home, even when she was sleeping on the streets
Then, didn't fight his wives when they married her off
What is a central idea about being young that we have seen so far in this text?
E.g Young people are too innocent to understand the complexities of the world.
This popstar became famous in 2010 with his release of the song, "Baby". Ms. Heleba first heard it at her 8th grade dance.
Justin Bieber
What POV is the story told in?
First, Second or third?
Third person limited
What does Rasheed want most from Mariam?
A baby (A son)
Why does Rasheed want Mariam to wear a burqa?
He feels that it's inappropriate for other men to see her face
What is a central idea about family that we've seen so far in this text?
e.g. Family isn't always a person's best support system.
You can't always rely on family.
Recently, Netflix released a roast of which famous athlete?
Tom Brady
Give two examples from the text that helped us characterize Rasheed as "controlling".
- flowers
- street fair
- burqa
- Examples of things he says to Mariam
- Baby clothes
In chapters 12-14, what did Rasheed really hope was true about the baby?
Why did he hope this?
Rasheed hoped that the baby was a boy, because a boy will carry on the family name.
Inference: It will also help him make up for the loss of his other son
How is Rasheed "fake nice" towards Mariam?
He takes her out on a date, buys her ice cream, a gift. He makes he feel like he actually loves her
How could the author use setting to support the central idea that, "Home is where the heart is."
Mariam's true home is with her Nana, though she didn't realize until she'd been married off to Rasheed.
This rapper from the bronx is now featured on exclusive MTA cards
Ice Spice
Why is it important that the first part of the story is told through a child's point of view?
Mariam's innocent perspective makes it that much harsher for the reader when they discover that Jalil is not the hero she always saw him as.
What happened to Mariam at the bathhouse? How did it make her feel?
She miscarried her and Rasheed's baby, which devastated her.
What did Rasheed buy for the baby?
What did Mariam do with it?
Rasheed bought the baby a boy's suede winter coat
Mariam buried it to honor the baby when she miscarried
How does the author use characterization to show the central idea that, "It can be hard to leave unhealthy relationships." ?
- Characterization of Rasheed as a manipulator
- Characterization of Mariam as someone who will go along with him
This sci-fi movie that just came out in theaters is an extension of a trilogy that spanned in 2011-2014, as well as one that spanned 1968 - 1971.
Bonus: What was the main character's name in the 2011-2014 series?
Planet of the Apes
Bonus: Caesar