Homeless Bird
By Gloria Whelan
Name: _______________________________________
ELA Session:
____________
Literature Group Daily Responsibility Chart
Directions:
 Each group member is responsible for completing the assigned daily reading.
 Each student will annotate the novel based on the instructions provided on the annotated
bookmark.
 Each student must determine an appropriate “title” for the reading section.
 Each member will complete the 2 comprehension questions for the daily reading section.
Collaborative Mini Lessons:
 We will begin each day with a focused mini lesson on some key literary concept (i.e.
symbolism, use of context clues, characterization etc.)
 After each mini lesson, literature groups will collaborate together to apply that specific lesson
of the day to their novel study.
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Annotate
Annotate
Annotate
Annotate
Summary “Title”
Summary “Title”
Summary “Title”
Summary “Title”
Comprehension ?s
Comprehension ?s
Comprehension ?s
Comprehension ?s
DAY 5
DAY 6
DAY 7
DAY 8
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Annotate
Annotate
Annotate
Annotate
Summary “Title”
Summary “Title”
Summary “Title”
Summary “Title”
Comprehension ?s
Comprehension ?s
Comprehension ?s
Comprehension ?s
DAY 9
DAY 10
DAY 11
DAY 12
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Annotate
Annotate
Annotate
Finalize packet
Summary “Title”
Summary “Title”
Summary “Title”
Vocab Choice Board
Comprehension ?s
Comprehension ?s
Comprehension ?s
Character Chart for Homeless Bird
Directions: As you read the book, provide a short description of each character below.
Character
Koly
Hari
Sass
Sassur
Chandra
Maa Kamala
Raji
Tanu
Mr. Das
Mala
Role in Story
Character Traits
Motives
Day 1: Chapter 1
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
1
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 1: Chapter 1 (pgs. 1-21)
1. Explain how Koly’s marriage is expected to benefit her family.
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2. Describe Koly’s prospective husband and family, and explain why this is considered a
good match.
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Day 1 - Mini Lesson on Context Clues
What is a context clue?
Context clues are hints in the sentence that help good readers figure out the meanings of
unfamiliar words. When we look at the “context” of a word, we look at how it is being used.
What are the 5 Types of Context Clues?
Type
Description
Signal
Words
Meaning of the
unfamiliar word is given
right in the sentence.
A similar word is given
for the unfamiliar word.
is, are, or,
means, refers
to
also, as, like,
same, too
Antonym
A word meaning the
opposite of the
unfamiliar word is given
Example
Samples, instances, or
ideas of the unfamiliar
word are given.
but, unlike,
though,
however,
instead of
for example,
like, such as,
including
General
General clues are given
about the unfamiliar
word.
Definition
Synonym
NO signal
words
Example
Caverns are very large
caves.
She is cautious crossing the
street and also careful riding
her bike.
The water is shallow, but it
was deep enough to catch
a fish.
Souvenirs such as t-shirts,
key chains, and postcards
are fun ways to remember
trips.
I appreciate the way you
encourage me. I won first
prize.
PRACTICE WITH CONTEXT CLUES
What is the definition of each bolded word? What type of context clue is being used?
Sentence
Paul is an indulgent father. For instance, he
allows his daughter to stay up as late as she
likes and he never insists that she does her
homework.
At first, the surgery seemed to be successful.
But several hours later, the patient’s
condition began to deteriorate, and it
continued to worsen over the next few days.
Veronica’s decision to study instead of going
out for pizza with her friends was a prudent
one. She got an A on the exam, while her
friends all earned C’s.
I expected truthfulness from my doctor; I was
shocked by his mendacity.
The clues in the sentence were so helpful;
Stanley was able to ascertain the meaning of
Definition
Type of Context
Clue
the word.
Apply Today’s Mini Lesson to your Novel Study
1. Read the sentence carefully and brainstorm what you and your group believe to be
definition of the bolded term. Determine what type of context clue you used to figure out the
meaning.
2. Find the definition of this term (remember to use our longman dictionary definition).
Sentence
“Nothing here is auspicious,”
Baap replied. In a frightened
voice, Maa asked, “Should we
postpone the wedding?”
Hari gave his maa a sullen look.
“Koly brought me flowers to
cheer me up. No one else has
brought flowers.”
…he looked very solemn.
Speaking a low voice, the doctor
said, “I am sorry to have to tell
you this…”
If I answered back, I was
impudent. If I kept silent, I was
sullen.
“If you are thinking of the few
rupees you are sent each month,
do not think they are due.” She
gave me a triumphant look.
I was sorry for the times in the
past when I had been
mischievous. I began to rise
earlier in the morning.
There was an insolent look on his
face. I admired him for not being
intimidated by my sass.
I admired their piety and envied
the food the monks gave them in
return for their devotions…
The girls at Maa Kamala’s were
envious of our work. To pacify
them, we let them try on the
finest bangles.
Though her words were harsh, her
stitches were deftly done. The
scarf had been admired by us all.
When I had first come, the city
had been unwelcoming, even
treacherous, but now I had found
Definition
Type of Context Clue
my place in it.”
Day 2: Chapter 2
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
2
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 2: Chapter 2 (pgs. 22-33)
1. Explain how Hari and Koly bond during their first short meeting.
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2. Explain why Koly is upset after learning the details of her marriage and Hari’s illness.
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Day 2 - Mini Lesson on Author’s Point of View
Definition:
The author’s point of view is the perspective from which he/she writes the story. It is the “lens”
that authors use to present their story.
FIRST PERSON -- A character within the story recounts his or her own experiences and narrates
what is happening from the perspective of “I”, “me”, “we”.
SECOND PERSON – The story is told from the perspective of “you” and uses the pronoun “you”.
THIRD PERSON OBJECTIVE – The narrator remains a detached observer and does not reveal
any characters’ thoughts; lets readers know only what is seen and heard, not what characters
think or feel. Uses the pronoun “he”, “she”, “it”, and “they”.
THIRD PERSON LIMTED OMNISCIENT – The narrator tells the story from the viewpoint of one
character in the story; lets readers know what one character thinks or feels. Uses the pronoun
“he”, “she”, “it”, and “they”.
THIRD PERSON OMNISCIENT – The narrator has unlimited knowledge and can describe every
characters’ thoughts and interpret their behaviors; lets readers unlimited information about the
characters. Uses the pronoun “he”, “she”, “it”, and “they”.
When determining the point of view of a story, consider the following questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
What evidence is there in the story that helps you to identify the point of view?
Why does it matter to the story?
How does this affect you and your reading experience?
Why do you think the author chose to write the story from that particular point of view?
Test your knowledge and determine the point of view for the following below:
1. The Wizard of Oz by L Frank Baum
The Scarecrow found a tree full of nuts and filled Dorothy’s basket with them, so that she would not be
hungry for a long time. She thought this was very kind and thoughtful of the Scarecrow, but she laughed
heartily at the awkward way in which the poor creature picked up the nuts. His padded hands were so
clumsy that he dropped almost as many as he put in the basket. But the Scarecrow did not mind how long
it took him to fill the basket, for it enabled him to keep away from the fire, as he felt that a spark might get
into his straw and burn him up.
a) first-person
c) third-person objective
b) second-person
d) third-person limited
e) third-person omniscient
2. The Skull of Truth: A Magic Shop Book by Bruce Coville and Gary A. Lippincott
To his astonishment, Charlie found himself standing next to his bicycle, back where he had entered the
swamp. That was bizarre and upsetting—but not as bad as the realization that he was still holding the
skull. He thought he had dropped it before he raced out the door. He certainly hadn’t intended to steal
the thing. He didn’t even really want it!
a) first-person
c) third-person objective
b) second-person
d) third-person limited
e) third-person omniscient
3. Curious George and the Pizza by Margret Rey
At the pizza place, Tony the baker was getting the pizzas ready for baking. He flattened out a ball of dough into a
large pancake and tossed it in the air. He spread tomato sauce on it, sprinkled it with cheese, and shoved it in the
oven. Then the telephone rang. “A fellow from the factory wants a large pizza delivered in a hurry,” Tony’s
wife called. “OK, I’ll get my coat,” said Tony.
a) first-person
c) third-person objective
b) second-person
d) third-person limited
e) third-person omniscient
Apply Today’s Mini Lesson to your Novel Study
Determining the point of view of your novel. Answer the following questions:
1. What is the point of view of your novel?
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2. What evidence is there in the story that helps you to identify the point of view?
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3. How does this affect you and your reading experience?
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4. Why do you think the author chose to write the story from that particular point of view?
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5. What other point of view could the author have chosen? Explain your reasoning.
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Day 3: Chapter 3
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
3
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 3: Chapter 3 (pgs. 34-47)
1. Describe Koly’s impression of Varanasi.
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2. Describe the events leading up to Hari’s death.
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Day 3 - Mini Lesson on Author’s Craft
Author’s Craft refers to the Techniques Good Writers Use
What is Author’s Araft?


Just as a painter uses many tools and techniques to craft a painting, a skilled author
uses tools and techniques of language and storytelling to craft a piece of writing.
Authors use techniques such as foreshadowing, figurative language, specific word
choice to impact the overall meaning and tone of the story.
Foreshadow: When an author indicates or hints at what will come later in the story.
Word Choice: Authors use specific words to create tone & meaning.


Denotation: The dictionary definition of the word
Connotation: The emotions and feelings associated with the word.
(cheap vs. inexpensive)
Figurative Language: Language that goes beyond the literal, dictionary meaning of the
words. Writers use figures of speech to help create pictures in their readers’ minds.
Example from the novel
She bowed shyly to me and then
looked quickly away, as if she knew
secrets about me that I did not.
(p 13)
I felt as if I were tangled like a small
fly in the web of a cunning spider.
(p 29)
Technique
Foreshadowing
Simile
How does this technique contribute to
meaning or tone?
Foreshadowing hints at future important
events. This technique adds depth and
increases suspense in the
story. Foreshadowing also leads me to
predict what will happen later in the story.
Using a simile helps me to imagine the
character, conflict or situation more clearly.
The image presented here makes me better
understand the character and what he is
feeling at this time.
Day 4: Chapter 4
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
4
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 4: Chapter 4 (pgs. 48-66)
1. Describe the events that lead up to an envelope with Koly’s name arriving at the
Mehta’s house each month.
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2. What is Koly’s relationship with Sassur like after Hari’s death?
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Day 4 - Mini Lesson on Author’s Craft
The Use of Sentence Fluency & Structure to Add Interest and Fluidity…
Sentence fluency is the rhythm and flow of language. Writers vary the structure of sentences,
including types of sentences, sentence beginnings, and sentence lengths, to create a natural
cadence.
What are the three types of sentences author’s use most often in their writing?
Type of
Sentence
Simple Sentence
Compound
Sentence
Complex
Description
Example from text
Contains ONE independent
clause.
Contains TWO or more
independent clauses joined by a
comma and a coordinating
conjunction (nor, or, so, yet, for,
and, but).
Has at least one independent
clause AND one or more
subordinate/dependent clauses.
Apply Today’s Mini Lesson to your Novel Study
With your group, compose a short paragraph explaining the internal conflict that the main
character is experiencing at this point in the novel. Challenge yourselves… Use 3 words from
your vocab list in your writing (circle them). Also, use a variety of sentence structures so that
your paragraph includes at least one example of each sentence type listed above. Highlight
all compound sentences in yellow; highlight the complex sentences in orange.
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Day 5: Chapter 5
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
5
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 5: Chapter 5 (pgs. 67-78)
1. What do the silver earrings represent to Koly?
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2. How is Koly’s pension money being used? How does Sass justify her refusal to give Koly
the pension money?
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3. Reread the section that describes Koly’s role at Chandra’s wedding. Based on that
information, how is the role of women in India depicted?
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Day 5 - Mini Lesson on Types of Conflict
What is conflict in literature?

Conflict is the opposition of persons or forces that gives rise to the dramatic action in a drama
or fiction (Merriam-Webster)
There are TWO TYPES of conflict:


External Conflict – A struggle with a force outside of one’s self.
Internal Conflict – A struggle within one’s self.
There are FIVE KINDS of conflict:
Conflicts
Definition
Character vs Character
A character (person or animal)
struggles with another character.
A character struggles with
him/herself, ideas of right or wrong,
choices, etc.
A person struggles against ideas,
practices or customs of a group of
people.
A person struggles with weather,
natural disasters, etc.
Character vs Self
Character vs Society
Character vs Nature
Character vs Fate
Example
A character struggles
circumstances of life (destiny or
fate).
With your group, annotate THREE examples of conflict from your novel.



Highlight the conflict in the text.
In the margin, identify the conflict as external or internal, as well as, which kind of conflict
Finally, complete the chart below.
Kind of Conflict
Explain how the example from the text
Page(s) represents the specific kind of conflict
Day 6: Chapter 6
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
6
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 6: Chapter 6 (pgs. 79-87)
1. Describe 2 losses that Koly attempts to deal with at this point in the novel.
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2. Why does Koly try to please Sass after Chandra is gone?
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3. What is the importance of Koly’s visit to the government’s office?
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Day 6 - Mini Lesson on Characterization
Authors use characterization to help readers understand character’s actions, traits, behaviors, and
appearance. Characterization is the art of creating and developing a character, and writers use two
different methods to do this:
The author directly and specifically tells
readers about the character’s traits
and qualities.
Direct Characterization
The author allows the reader to draw
inferences of his/her own based on
information presented in the story.
Indirect Characterization
Now… Identify each of the following passages as an example of DIRECT or INDIRECT characterization.
Page
Number
Boys Without
Names
pg.113-114
Boys Without
Names
Pg. 78
Homeless
Bird
pg. 93-94
Homeless Bird
pg. 12-13
Passage
Type of
Characterization
What do you now understand
about the character?
“I’m thirsty.”
“Have some water,” Scar-Man says.
I clutch the dented tumbler and gulp down
the water.
When I try to hand it back to Scar-man, he
snarls, “I’m not your servant. You’re mine.”
When we cross the street, Naren and Sita
cling to me like the baby monkeys cling to
their mother in Matheran.
One day a letter came. Sass would not show
it to me but took it to the village for the scribe
to read to her. When she returned, Sass was
smiling.
Chandra was very beautiful, with golden
brown skin and sad, pleading eyes. She was
plump, with a soft round face and body.
Time to Apply Today’s Mini Lesson to your Novel Study
With your group, complete the chart below. Your task is to find one example of direct characterization &
two examples of indirect characterization from the novel.
Page
Number
Passage
Type of
Characterization
Direct
Indirect
Indirect
What do you now understand
about the character?
Day 7: Chapter 7
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
7
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 7: Chapter 7 (pgs. 88-103)
1. Explain how Koly ends up with the Tagore book and predict its impact on Koly.
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2. Describe Sass’s behavior towards Koly on the ride to Vrindavan and how her behavior
foreshadows what ultimately happens to Koly?
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Day 7 - Mini Lesson on Theme



Theme is the central message of the story. Themes are not explicitly stated; readers have to use
information in the text to uncover/infer the theme(s).
The theme is different from the moral (or the lesson) of the story.
Authors bring themes to life through the development of story elements: setting, characters,
conflict and plot.
Themes in Literary Works:
Text
Central
Theme(s)
Text Evidence that contributes to the
development of the theme
setting, characters, conflict, plot, etc.
Caged Bird (Poem)
What are some themes from Homeless Bird & Boys Without Names?
Homeless Bird
Boys Without Names
Apply Today’s Mini Lesson to your Novel Study
Complete the chart on the following page with your group.
1. Decide on a theme from the list above.
2. Consider how the story elements of setting, conflict, character and plot help develop
that theme.
Day 8: Chapter 8
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
8
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 8: Chapter 8 (pgs. 104-121)
1. Describe Koly’s first night in Vrindavan after Sass abandons her.
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2. Who is Maa Kamala? Describe Koly’s introduction to her home.
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Day 8 - Mini Lesson on Setting
What is setting? When and where a story takes place is called the setting.

Time:
o

When did this story take place? Identify any dates or time clues mentioned in the
story. Try to determine how much time passes in the story.
Place:
o
Where did this story take place? Identify evidence which pertains to the specific
places mentioned.
The setting helps to shape different aspects of a story:





The mood and tone of the novel
Internal and external conflicts
Character development/change
The theme
The values, ideals, and attitudes of various characters
Apply Today’s Mini Lesson to your Novel Study
As a collaborative group effort through a shared google doc, write a three paragraph
informative essay that explains how the setting of the novel influences ONE of the five
aspects from the list above.
Remember to:

Plan what you are going to write about before you actually begin writing. Refer to the
graphic organizer provided to you in class to support your planning.

Structure an introductory paragraph providing background information on the novel. In
the intro paragraph, include the title and author of the novel, the specific setting at this
time in your reading, and which aspect you feel the setting most affects (you will discuss
and analysis this further in your body paragraph).

Structure a body paragraph that focuses in on the ONE aspect that the setting shapes (i.e.
conflict, theme, values etc.) Include your reason along with supporting facts and details
that support what you are saying. Use TWO pieces of text evidence to support your ideas.
Do not forget to analyze of each piece of evidence to clarify how it supports your thesis
statement.

Include a closing paragraph that relates directly back to your thesis and the overall focus
of the essay.
You and your group will work on this for 2 days.
Day 9: Chapter 9
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
9
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 9: Chapter 9 (pgs. 122-143)
1. Describe Koly’s first day of work stringing marigolds.
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2. Describe the two reasons why the book Tagore is important to Koly in chapter 9.
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Day 10: Chapter 10
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
10
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 10: Chapter 10 (pgs. 144-164)
1. Explain why the benefactor funds the widow’s home where Koly stays.
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2. Who is Mala and what is she like? What does Koly discover about her?
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Day 10 - Mini Lesson on Character Analysis
As a group select an important character from the novel. Draw an outline of the character on an
11x17 piece of paper from the waist up to the head using as much as the paper as possible.
Character: _____________________________________________________
Directions: Bring this character to life by….
1. giving him/her the specific body parts identified below.
2. identifying, for each body part, the specific information requested.
MIND:
EYES:
MOUTH:
EARS:
In the area of the character’s mind, record what you believe motivates this
character (love, pride, revenge, greed, etc.)
When you draw the character’s eyes, inside the eye design, write down at least
two important things (people, objects, ideas, thoughts) the character sees.
When you create the mouth, record a direct quote with the page number
from this character, something he or she said that demonstrates the kind of
character he or she is.
Around the ears of the character, record two important direct quotations (with
the page numbers) that other characters say to influence him or her.
SHOULDERS: On the shoulders of the character, write two things (people, objects, ideas,
thoughts) that weigh this character down and cause him or her trouble or worry.
Consider both internal and external conflicts.
HEART:
BACKGROUND:
Draw an enlarged heart and fill it with words, phrases, and at least one
quote/passage from the novel that shows what you believe this character carries
in his or her heart. What is important to them?
Consider the setting of the novel. What objects, symbols, colors or images can
you include around the drawing of the character to help others understanding
the unique setting of the novel.
Day 11: Chapter 11
After completing the above reading selection, answer the following:
Chapter
What would you name this chapter?
What evidence from the text did you find
to support your answer?
11
Comprehension Questions for Homeless Bird
Day 11: Chapter 11 (pgs. 165-182)
1. What is Koly’s reaction to Raji’s marriage proposal? How does it compare to her first
offer of marriage?
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2. Describe the importance of the wedding quilt that Koly creates in chapter 11.
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Day 11 - Mini Lesson on Symbolism
What is symbolism?
Authors use symbols or objects to represent ideas.
What are examples of symbolism?
For more than 200 years, the American flag has been the symbol of our
nation’s strength and unity.
Red: symbolizes valor (bravery)
White: symbolizes purity
Blue: symbolizes justice
The Nike Swoosh represents motion and speed. The shape depicts an arc
of movement. The word ‘swoosh’ is onomatopoeia for the sound you’d
hear as Lebron James or Michael Jordan zips past you en route to a
spectacular dunk. In Greek mythology, Nike is the Winged Goddess of
Victory. The mythological associations for the brand Nike are flight, victory,
and speed.
In the poem, the Caged Bird by Maya Angelou, the caged bird and the
free bird are symbolic.
Caged bird symbolizes ______________________________________
Free bird symbolizes ________________________________________
Apply Today’s Mini Lesson to your Novel Study
With your group, identify objects that SYMBOLIZE each story element from your novel. Be sure to explain
WHY you chose the object to symbolize the element.
Story Element
Main Character
Setting
Main Conflict
Theme
Solution
Symbol
How is the object symbolic?
Symbolic Object Description for Homeless Bird
Directions: As you read the book, provide a short description of each significant object.
Object
Quilt
Sari
Earrings
Book of Poems
Rickshaw
Bhang
The River
Mr. Das’ Shop
Vrindavan
Ganges River
Object Description