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 or when there are multiple places as is the case in the book Amal Unbound. Amal lives in Pakistan and is raised in a small village but later goes to live on a massive estate when she is forced into indentured servitude. In this activity, students will illustrate and describe the where and when of the novel and explain its importance.
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Due Date:
Objective: Create a storyboard identifying the different settings in the book Amal Unbound.
Student Instructions:
Encourage students to reflect on how each setting affects Amal’s feelings and choices. Discussion prompts and journaling activities can deepen empathy and comprehension by linking place to emotion.
Prompt students to notice how the atmosphere shifts as Amal moves between locations. Use descriptive words and sensory details to help students visualize and compare each place’s mood.
Organize small group conversations where students share why they think each setting is important to the story. Collaborative dialogue can reveal diverse perspectives and deepen understanding.
Integrate maps, photos, or drawings of rural Pakistani villages and estates to make settings more concrete. Visual supports help students build background knowledge and context.
Assign students to write brief diary entries describing each new setting as if they were Amal. This imaginative exercise builds empathy and strengthens connections between setting and narrative voice.
Amal Unbound is primarily set in a small Pakistani village and a wealthy estate where Amal is sent as an indentured servant. These contrasting settings highlight the differences in social class and the challenges Amal faces throughout the novel.
The setting shapes Amal's experiences and decisions, illustrating the realities of rural life in Pakistan and the stark inequalities between the village and the estate. This contrast emphasizes the novel's themes of courage, hope, and social justice.
Understanding the setting helps students connect with the characters and context, deepening empathy and cultural awareness. It also provides a framework for discussing important issues such as family, education, and social structures.
A setting map activity asks students to illustrate and describe key locations in Amal Unbound. This visual approach helps students analyze how each setting influences the story and character development.
Teachers can guide students to find descriptive passages, use storyboard tools to visualize scenes, and discuss how each place affects Amal's journey. Encouraging students to cite evidence supports critical thinking and comprehension.