Homeless Bird: Advanced Discussion Questions



Homeless Bird: Discussion Questions – Glue questions and responses in buddy.

Chapter One:

1. Why was a marriage arranged for Koly, the middle child, and not her older or younger brothers? Do you think this is a common reason for people to be married in India?

2. Explain what a dowry is. What’s included in a dowry?

3. How does the family feel about formal education for girls? (Maa’s opinion speaks volumes!)

4. What sort of skills has Maa taught Koly as an informal education? How will this prepare her for work inside and outside of the home?

5. Describe what Koly’s family had to do to prepare for the wedding. How does it compare to an American wedding preparation?

6. What were some “red flags” or “warning signs” that this wasn’t a good situation for Koly?

7. Why do you think that Koly’s family went through with the wedding even though they know the Mehtas were not truthful? Is this a religious, traditional belief, or both?

8. Koly is now considered a member of Hari’s family and no longer a part of her “birth family.” She is to call her Mother-in-Law “Mother: Sass” and her Father-in-Law “Father: Sassur.” If she ran away or returned to her birth family, she could be beaten or killed by either family.

Chapter Two:

1. What were some signs that Hari was sicker than the Mehtas told Koly’s parents?

2. What are some examples of traditional medicines and treatments that both Sass and Koly gave to Hari rather than seek modern medicine?

3. What was Hari’s Real illness?

4. Why did the Mehtas make the decision to arrange a marriage between their son, Hari, and Koly? (What was the real purpose?)

5. Why do you think Sass is so mean to Koly?

6. Why do you think the Mehtas disregarded the doctor’s advice? How did their religious beliefs play a role in that decision?

7. What if you had to tell someone that their religious beliefs were wrong? Would they believe you?

Chapter Three:

1. What did Chandra mean when she said to Koly, “When you return I have only to touch you and I will share in your darhsan (blessing), your sight of the Ganges.”

2. Describe the trip to Varanasi. How would this trip be hard on Hari?

3. Sassur gave money to a beggar… why? Was it from the goodness of his heart or was there another reason? Describe how this was a selfish religious decision/action!

4. Describe the sights and sounds of the Ganges River. Who else were there and what were they doing?

5. What does it mean for Koly after leaving Varanasi? What is her role in society and within the household?

Chapter Four:

1. Why did Sass take Koly into the city? (Read between the lines, it doesn’t tell you directly!) (Pg 57 & 58)

2. What do you think is coming in the mail for Koly? Why do you think Sass and Sassur are keeping it from Koly?

3. Why do you think Sassur was willing to help Koly learn to read and write and not make Chandra? What do you think motivated this decision?

4. How did learning to read make Koly’s life better?

5. What was happening to Sassur at school that made him more depressed?

6. What motivated Sassur’s decision to give Koly the book of Tagore’s Poems?

7. There are multiple reasons why Sass is mad at Sassur and Koly for Sassur teaching Koly to read. Name as many as you can.

Chapter 5:

1. Compare Sassur’s and Chandra’s opinion of computers. Why would Sassur be concerned?

2. What did the widow’s pension really go towards? Do you think Koly had a right to be angry and offended?

3. What is Koly’s plan with the earrings and pension? Do you think she’s thought this through fully?

4. Compare Koly’s wedding to Chandra’s.

5. How is Koly similar to the Pariah (outcast) dog? Similar to the bandicoot (large rat)?

6. Why do you think Sassur died?

Chapter Seven:

1. What are some religious or customary rituals that were performed at Sassur’s funeral that are different from American funerals?

2. How was Chandra’s married life different than Koly’s? Do you think Koly would have acted or believed the same way as Chandra if she was married in a richer family, too?

3. What decision has Koly made that she shares with Chandra? What was Chandra’s response?

4. What motivated Koly to trade the earrings for the book of poems? What are the consequences for this trade?

5. Why did Sass take Koly to Vrindavan? What was the reason she told Koly vs. what the real reason was?

6. Why did Sass take Koly to a temple and show her the people in the temple?

Chapter Eight:

1. What were some clues that this was premeditated?

2. Why do you think Raji was kind to Koly?

3. Explain why there are a lot of widows abandoned in holy cities. (Hint: Old woman’s explanation) Is this a religious belief, customary belief, both? Are all widows abandoned?

4. How do widows get money to eat and a place to stay?

5. Why couldn’t Koly get a widow’s pension? What are some additional obsticles?

6. What do you think the older man would have done if Koly had gone with him?

7. Where did Raji take Koly? What do you think motivated his decision?

8. How does Maa Kamala help widows?

Chapter Nine:

1. Koly had made the decision in chapter eight to not share her food with a young child. Ask Koly looks to the spot where she had been, she thinks about her. What are some possible things that could have happened to the little girl?

2. Why do you think Maa Kamala made decision of making the girls put away their white widow’s saris and wear regular saris? Why would this benefit the girls in the long run?

3. What are some of the things sold in the market?

4. What were the two jobs that Koly and Tanu acquired? Why would these be a good job match to Koly’s skill base?

5. Maa Kamala keeps Koly’s earnings. How is this different from Sass and Sassur keeping her earnings?

6. Why do you think Raji keeps coming by the widow’s home?

7. What gift does Koly give Raji. How is this greater than any other item she could give him?

8. What gift does the rich lady give Koly? How is this a blessing?

Chapter Ten

1. What was the motivation for Mrs. Devi’s decision to start a widow’s home? Ponder how many lives would have been changed if she didn’t make that decision.

2. What was the motivation for Mrs. Devi’s decision to help Koly get a new job? How might this change Koly’s life?

3. Do you think Koly was a good judge of character of Mala? Explain why you think.

4. What was Mala’s motivation to invite Koly to her party? Was it an honorable one?

Chapter Eleven:

1. Why does Raji want to return to the country?

2. What was keeping Koly from telling Raji about Mala’s party? What motivated her decision to finally tell him?

3. What motivated Mr. Das to allow Koly to work from home? How could this decision help her in the future?

4. Do you think that Raji and Koly would benefit from micro lending or the Grameen Bank? Explain how they would or wouldn’t.

You will need to include a nonfiction element. You may type your information so that the lines will expand. Information may be singled spaced with 12point font. You MUST include the 6 titles below.

Article Title:

Summary:

Personal Response:

Text to Text

Vocabulary

2 Citations

Suggested articles with correctly formatted MLA style citations to get you started. Just click the hyperlink to open. Copy and Paste the correct citation. You are encourage to find other sources as you need 2. Be sure to click what your source is: website, online journal, online blog, online magazine. Be sure to include an author’s name, date if offered.

Indian Culture Overview

Zimmermann, Kim Ann. "Indian Culture: Traditions and Customs of India." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 10 Apr. 2013. Web. 19 Mar. 2014.

Indian Food and Drink

"Taj Mahal." Food and Drink. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

Discovering Indian Food

Sarkar, Petrina V. "Discovering Indian Cuisine." Indian Food. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

How to be a woman in India

Singh, Shreyasi. "How It Feels to Be a Woman in India." Web log post. Global Public Square RSS. CNN, 4 Feb. 2013. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

Importance of the Ganges River

Birney, Amanda. "Ganges River." Geography. , n.d. Web. 20 Mar. 2014. .

Sari Facts

"Sari Facts." Sari Safari. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. .

History of the Saree

"History Of Saree." History of Saree. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. .

Indian Wedding Traditions

"Wedding Traditions." . N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. .

What is TB?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 07 Mar. 2014. Web. 19 Mar. 2014. .

TB in India

Das, Bijoyeta. "INTER PRESS SERVICE." Inter Press Service. Inter Press Service, 5 Mar. 2014. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.

Facts about India

"Fun India Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about India." Fun India Facts for Kids - Interesting Information about India. Science Kids, n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. .

About the Author

"Gloria Whelan." From HarperCollins Publishers. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 Mar. 2014. .

Homeless Bird Final Assignment---CHOOSE 2 ASSIGNMENT TO COMPLETE.

The assignment should show your understanding of the novel and should exhibit the quality of a student’s BEST work. Take your time to CREATE excellence. Your work must fit on paper no larger than 81/2x11, but may include more than one sheet. Show me your creative ability. Consider: publisher, powerpoint, word using the graphic lettering, your own creation, flip books, tri-folds, charts, etc.

|Find examples of figurative language,|Make a chart or graphic listing |Character Collage-chose a character and|

|literary devices and define and/or |Gandhi’s Seven Deadliest Sins and/or |gather images that show their thoughts,|

|fully explain (Simile |the Seven Heavenly Virtues. On the |emotions, feelings, strength, |

|Metaphor |opposite side of the list note the |perseverance, courage throughout the |

|Personification |character and the sin or virtue they |novel—use pictures and tell how they |

|Symbolism, Irony) |carried out. Explain your answer for |relate to the character. Use at least |

|10 examples Must be creative (150 |each choice. |10 images. (150 words min.) |

|words min.) |(150 words min.) | |

|Create a collage of images that |You choose and I approve! |Compare and |

|depict symbolism in the novel. (10 | |Contrast two characters. Make a visual |

|Pictures) | |depiction. (10 pictures and a summary |

|Compose a summary written | |(150 words min.) |

|explanation. (150 words min.) | | |

|Create a 10 picture story book |Design a Sari or a quilt piece that |Create a timeline of events (10 events)|

|depicting the story’s plot. Label the|depicts an important time in your life|in novel. Display and explain all |

|scenes as introduction, rising |or one of the main characters in the |elements on the timeline. (150 words) |

|actions, climax, falling actions, |book. Include at least 8 items/designs| |

|conclusion. Describe each scene in |with explanation. (150 words min.) | |

|detail. (150 words min. ) | | |

|Write a poem using any poetic form |Construct 3 tests for 3 different |Creatively write a title for each |

|about a scene in the story or one of |chapters. Tests must include 10 |chapter of the book and fully explain |

|the characters. Include a colorful |questions 10 and answers. Multiple |the reasons why you choose that |

|picture/graphic. (100 words min.) |choice, true false, essay, matching. |particular title. (150 words min.) |

|Include poetic devices. |Responses should prompt thinking on | |

| |setting, character, mood, tone, plot, | |

| |prediction, theme, figurative | |

| |language. (No word count) | |

| | | |

Homeless Bird Final Test

DIRECTIONS: Respond to the following questions. Your response should have a topic sentence followed by elaboration and examples from the text. Paraphrase and use direct quotes to support your topic sentences. The final product should be MLA style. (typewritten or legible handwritten composition)

Use the BOLD HEADINGS below to categorize the responses. If typed, the response may be single spaced with 12point font. Respond to ALL questions below.

Author’s Style

1. How does the author create suspense about Hari’s health? (Cite several examples/quotes/incidents used in the novel)? (150 words)

2. What clues did the author use throughout the novel that suggested/predicted its ending? (Cite several examples used in the novel). (150 words)

Theme development

1. One of the themes in the novel is a longing for home as Koly finds herself married off and sent away at an early age. Throughout the novel, she references returning home. Explain, with examples from the novel, how the author develops the theme. Use examples from the novel. (150 words)

2. One of the themes in this novel is courage/perseverance. Explain the hardships that Koly experiences and how she perseveres. (150 words)

Symbolism

1. Explain the symbolism of homeless bird? page 182.

2. Explain the symbolism of the white shirt Koly was forced to wear.

Conflict

1. Koly experiences internal conflicts. Explain using two examples from the novel the conflict of character verses self. (150 words)

Character connection

1. Choose a character from the novel that you can relate to and explain why. (150 words)

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