Study Guide: The Namesake

I. Pre-reading Activities

  1. Mapping the Action
  2. Considering Different Points of View

II. Setting the Stage: The Namesake, Chapters 1 and 2

Chapter 1 - 1968

  1. Chronology of Events
  2. True or False?
  3. Point-of-View Writing

Chapter 2

  1. Comparing Cultures
  2. Explaining Reasons
  3. Summarizing the Situation
  4. Ashima's First Impressions of America
  5. Point-of-View Writingfor Chapter 2
  6. Ashima Meets the Montgomerys
  7. Open for Discussion

III. The Plot Develops: Chapters 3 to 12

Chapter 3 - 1971

  1. General Understanding
  2. Oral Presentations

Chapter 4 - 1982

  1. General Understanding for Chapter 4
  2. Working with Quotes
  3. Point-of-View Writing for Chapter 4

Chapter 5

  1. General Understanding for Chapter 5
  2. Oral Presentations for Chapter 5

Chapter 6 - 1994

  1. General Understanding for Chapter 6
  2. Working with Quotes for Chapter 6
  3. Point-of-View Writing for Chapter 6

Chapter 7

  1. General Understanding for Chapter 7
  2. Focused Reading
  3. Point-of-View Writing for Chapter 7

Chapter 8

  1. General Understanding for Chapter 8
  2. Point-of-View Writing for Chapter 8
  3. Writing a Dialogue

Chapter 9

  1. General Understanding for Chapter 9
  2. Expressing Agreement or Disagreement

Chapter 10 - 1999

  1. General Understanding for Chapter 10
  2. Oral Presentations for Chapter 10

Chapter 11

  1. General Understanding for Chapter 11
  2. Point-of-View Writing for Chapter 11

Chapter 12 - 2000

  1. General Understanding for Chapter 12
  2. Open for Discussion for Chapter 12

IV. Essay Questions

  1. Additional Writing Opportunities