Consider the way that Karim and the other characters feel while in cities versus in nature. How do they express these thoughts? What do these feelings express about the presence of violence and power?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may want to reflect on their responses from the Personal Connection Prompt in preparing a response. Marineau provides a series of key images that contrast Nature Versus Culture in the novel: for example, the greenery growing over the green line, the befriending of animals, and the solitude of nature on the walk to Chlifa. These elements of peacefulness and serenity are juxtaposed with the conflict and cruelty men bring to the story, most obviously when Maha is sexually assaulted and murdered. Karim distrusts people and cities after his experiences and must work to find peace among the people and the surroundings in his new life in Canada. Students might collect 3-5 brief direct quotations from the text that support the idea of nature’s representation of peace and kinship before composing a response.

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“School Committee to Benefit Refugee Students”