The Satanic Verses Lesson Plan

Town Meeting

Kind of Activity:

Group Work

Objective:

Students will engage in a debate from the perspective of two different groups in the novel.

Common Core Standards:

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.11-12.1

Structure:

It's ambiguous whether Ayesha has led the entire village of Titlipur on a doomed pilgrimage, or if she is in fact being led there by God. We see this tension rise and fall frequently throughout Part 8, as villagers begin to doubt Ayesha's word, and Ayesha herself becomes more authoritarian as the pilgrimage continues. Events take place that lend evidence to both believers and non-believers, and that will frame the discussion for this activity.

Divide the class...