THE NAMESAKE
Chapters: 1-3
Grade Level: High School
Lesson plan using
Objectives:
Using the audio of the first few chapters, the students will come to understand the realities the Indian
mother in the story faces as she adapts to a new life in America. Throughout the text, the mother
contrasts her life in Cambridge, Massachusetts to life in Bengal. There are subtle references to these
adaptations as well as more explicit examples. These contrasts create conflict, which shapes her
character development throughout the story, thus influencing the protagonist—Gogol.
Evaluation/Assessment:
The students will record on the handout examples of these references from the text. The students will offer
an explanation and description and provide the time stamp where it appears on the audio recording.
Procedure:
On the board the teacher can write, “That is not how they are,” a quote that appears in chapter two of
The Namesake. This is one of the underlying themes of Lahiri’s text. A brief discussion about the meaning
of this quote will allow the students to dive into the activity. The students will then divide into small groups
and begin listening to chapter one–chapter three of the recording. Using the “Bookmark” feature, when
they hear or recognize a reference contrasting life in America to life in India, they will stamp the place,
bookmarking it. Discussion of this bookmarking should be encouraged. When they have completed the
listening of chapter one-three, they should join together in their group and begin filling out their chart.
This activity can be carried through the rest of the unit.
Common Core Standards Addressed: RH 1.1, L 3
Extension Activities:
This story is written in third person. Have the students chose a scene and rewrite it in first person using a
voice of one of the characters in the book.
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CONTRAST OF LIFE IN AMERICA TO LIFE IN INDIA
BOOKMARK
EXAMPLE
EXPLANATION/DESCRIPTION/SIGNIFICANCE