A Thousand Splendid Suns Musical Character Project Review
Page 1 - 3: Overview and Goals
Goal: Demonstrate the "heart and soul" of a character from A Thousand Splendid Suns using a song studied in class.
Required Materials:
- Yesterday's packet.
- Pencil/pen.
- Chromebook.
Page 4: Option A - Character Soundtrack One-Pager (Visuals and Evidence)
Part 1: The Visual Core
- Draw a representation of the character using symbols, colors, and shapes rather than a literal portrait.
Part 2: The Evidence
- Lyrics: Select 3 lines from the song packet. Include the song title.
- Quotes: Find 2 direct quotes from the novel that relate to the lyrics. Include page numbers and draw lines/arrows connecting quotes to matching lyrics.
Page 5: Option A - Analysis, Reflection, and Checklist
Part 3: The "Why"
- Write 3–5 sentences explaining why the song matches the character's story and how the lyrics and quotes connect.
Part 4: The Reflection
- Write 3–5 sentences on how this activity changed your understanding of the character's feelings or struggles.
Checklist for Submission:
- Character chosen: Nana, Jalil, Mariam, Rasheed, Tariq, Laila, Mullah Faizullah, or Babi.
- Included 3 song lyrics with titles.
- Included 2 direct quotes with page numbers.
- Connected quotes to lyrics with arrows.
- One-sided single page.
Page 6: Option B - Character Analysis Essay Goal
Goal: Write a 3-paragraph essay explaining how a specific song captures the journey and essence of a character from A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Page 7: Option B - Essay Structure (Paragraphs 1 and 2)
Paragraph 1: Introduction
- Include a TAG line (Title, Author, Genre).
- Provide a brief plot summary and introduce the character and song.
- Thesis Statement: One sentence explaining why the song is the perfect theme for the character's growth or struggles.
Paragraph 2: The Evidence
- Incorporate 3 specific lyrics and 2 direct quotes from the novel.
- Explain the connection between the musical and literary evidence.
Page 8: Option B - Reflection and Checklist
Paragraph 3: The Reflection
- Discuss the "Big Picture": how the music changed your understanding of the character.
- Summarize body paragraph main points.
- End with a bold closing statement.
Essay Checklist:
- Include character name and song title.
- 3 lyrics and 2 quotes (with page numbers).
- Clear connection sentences.
- Thoughtful final reflection.
Page 9: Grading Rubric
Scoring Tiers:
- Exceeds Expectations: 10-9.
- Meets Expectations: 8-7.
- Approaches Expectations: 6-5.
- Does Not Meet: 4-0.
Criteria:
- Evidence & Quotes: Number of lyrics/quotes and accuracy of citations.
- Analysis: Depth of the explanation connecting the song to the book.
- Reflection: Insightfulness regarding the change in perspective.
- Creativity & Execution: Organization and structure (One-Pager) or thesis and flow (Essay).
Page 10: Project Examples
One-Pager Examples Provided:
- Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby): Uses lyrics about youth/beauty and quotes about the past (, ).
- Romeo & Juliet: Uses "Don't Stop Believin'" to show isolation and impulsive passion (Act 2, p. 31; Prologue, p. 5).
- George Milton (Of Mice and Men): Uses "I'll Be There for You" to highlight loyalty and responsibility (, , ).