The Shadow Lines Lesson Plan

Consider the following passage from the text, in reference to the circles the narrator drew on a map to measure distance and understand its meaning:

“Within this circle there were only states and citizens; there were no people at all” (228).

What do you think he is saying with this statement? Why do you think Ghosh includes this in the novel?

Students should recognize that, contextually, the narrator is exploring these distances upon reflecting that the riots in Khulna, Dhaka, and Calcutta (that led to Tridib’s death) occurred because of a religious relic was stolen 1200 miles away. Meanwhile, the stolen relic led to violence between "neighbors" because of made-up...