A Thousand Splendid Suns Lesson Plan

Two Voices, One Story

Kind of Activity:

Individual Writing

Objective:

Discuss the way the novel alternates between the protagonists' points of view.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.6

Structure:

One of the unique features of A Thousand Splendid Suns is the way it alternates between Laila's and Mariam's perspective. As a class, discuss the differences between Mariam's sections and Laila's.

You may wish to ask students:

- How do you feel about the book’s transition from one woman's story to the others? Is it jarring?

- Is there a difference between the way Mariam's and Laila's sections are written?

- Would you be able to tell...