The setting of a story is the location and time, or the where and when. Settings often play a crucial role especially in the case of historical fiction as is the case in the book A Night Divided, as it can often provide context to events within the story. In this activity, students will illustrate and describe the where and when of the novel and explain its importance. As a supplement, students may want to identify key historical events that occur during the course of the novel and assess their impact on the story.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard identifying the different settings in the book A Night Divided.
Student Instructions:
Guide students to examine how the setting shapes the choices characters make in A Night Divided. This approach helps learners understand why place and time are crucial in historical fiction.
Choose a moment where the Berlin Wall or divided city directly affects a character's actions. Point out how the environment and historical period drive the plot.
Ask students questions like, 'How might Gerta have acted differently in another time or place?' Encourage debate and critical thinking about the importance of setting.
Prompt learners to cite specific details from the story that link setting to decisions. Model how to reference scenes or quotes when explaining their ideas.
Have students write a short paragraph or sketch showing how a different setting might change the story. This reinforces the role of setting in shaping events and character choices.
The setting of A Night Divided is East Berlin, Germany in the early 1960s, during the construction and presence of the Berlin Wall. This historical backdrop shapes the characters' experiences and drives the story's events.
The setting is crucial in A Night Divided because the division of Berlin by the Wall directly impacts the characters and plot. It highlights themes of separation, freedom, and family, making the historical context essential to understanding the novel.
Students can create a setting map by identifying key locations in the book, illustrating each one with scenes or symbols, and writing descriptions explaining their significance in the story and relation to historical events.
A Night Divided is influenced by the construction of the Berlin Wall and life in divided Germany during the Cold War. These events create tension and shape the characters' struggles throughout the novel.
The best way is to have students identify, illustrate, and describe the book's settings, discuss how the location and time affect the plot, and connect these elements to real historical events, enhancing both literary and historical understanding.