THE BIG FIVE STORY ELEMENTS
PLOT DIAGRAM
"Kaffir Boy"
"Astrologer's Day"
Persepolis-"The Shabbat"
100

The main problem or struggle in the story

What is Conflict?

100

The beginning of the story where the characters and setting is introduced

What is the Exposition? 

100

Describe the setting of "Kaffir Boy" 

What is South Africa, a poor neighborhood, during Apartheid

100

Describe the Astrologer's character

What is an Indian man who dresses in a saffron colored turban, puts vermelian ash on his forehead. He has twinkling eyes and 

100

What is the setting of Persepolis- "The Shabbat"? 

It was Tehran, Iran in the Tavanir neighborhood.  The story takes place right after the Islamic Revolution, during the Iran/Iraq War. 
200

Where and when the story takes place, as well as the societal and social context of the time

What is the setting? 

200

The turning point of the story, the conflict is often solved here.

What is the Climax? 

200
This is the Genre of "Kaffir Boy" 

Personal Memoir

200
How does the author use "foreshadowing" in the beginning of "An Astrologer's Day"? 

The astrologer had to leave his home town and go many hundreds of miles away, he never had any desire to become an astrologer. 

200

Why is Marji's mother shocked at the price of jeans? 

Her mother is shocked because the price increased so suddenly.  This was because the value of the TUman had gone down significantly in a short amount of time. 

300

The characters and how they act, talk, interact with others, etc. 

What is characterization? 

300

The action builds in this part of the story, the conflict is introduced.

What is the Rising Action? 

300

The main conflict in "Kaffir Boy" 

Mark Mathabane didn't want to go to school. He wanted to run with the gang of boys.  He was torn between his mother's desire for him to get an education, and his desire to stay in the gang.

300

When does the Astrologer recognize Guru Nayak?  

When Guru lights a cigar and the light hits his face

300
Why does Marji's family decide to stay in Iran after the bombs hit? 
Her family decides to stay so Marji can continue with her French education.  They feel Tehran is the only place she can get her education. 
400

The central message of the story

What is theme? 

400

After the climax, the conflict is solved and the story is nearing its end. 

What is the Falling Action? 

400

How did Mark's father feel about Mark attending school? 

Mark's father did not want him to go to school and felt is was a waste of time.  

400

Who is Guru Nayak to the astrologer? 

Guru Nayak is the man the astrologer thought he left for dead many years ago.  

400

What happen to the Baba-Levy's house?  

It was destroyed in a bombing sent by Iraq. 

500

Who is telling or narrating the sentence

What is point of view?

500

The conclusion of the story, the main conflicts are resolved.

What is the Resolution? 

500

What is the theme of Kaffir Boy? 

"Education will open doors where none seem to exist." 

500

What does the Astrologer tell Guru Nayak about the man who tried to kill him? 

The Astrologer tells Guru Nayak that the man who tried to kill him was killed under a lory, and that Guru should go home and never go looking for him again. 

500

What does Marji see as she walks past the rubble of the Baba-Levy's home?  

Marji sees Neda's bracelet attached to something she cannot recognize.