NW - ACTIVITIES

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 4,5

Assignment 1
You have read the novel NW. Now watch the two short clips about North West London and Camden in the next slides. Imagine you were born in these places. Do you think you would be like one of NW's characters? Nathalie (Keisha), Leah, Felix, or Nathan. Explain why.

Assignment 2: Debate

After reading the novel and watched these clips, you should be able to form your own opinion about "identity", "image" and "fate" by now.

In this assignment, you are going to participate in a class debate and defend or stand against the following statement:

" An individual's identity and fate are dependent on the place where that person was born, his/her surroundings, and his/her family and friends. One cannot influence his/her own identity or fate".

Assignment 3: The Secret

Watch the short trailer of the documentary The Secret and listen to what some prominent figures have to say about "fate" and the way we can create it.

Do you think this is possible?

Do you think your cultural background can influence the way you look at your fate?

Elaborate on your answers.

Assignment 4: the characters

Which of the characters of NW "created" their own fate and identity and which didn't? 

Why and how did they do that or not? 

Illustrate your answers with examples.

Preparation for essay

Watch the following video clips on the next slides.

While watching, make notes and think what the connection is between Smith's book NW and Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.

Think about the role of cultural background, places and (the creation of) fate in both books.

Assignment 5: 

Great Expectations vs NW

Contrast and Comparison essay

At the beginning of this lesson series, we talked briefly about Zadie Smith being compared to Charles Dickens. In his book Great Expectations, we follow Pip in his way to adulthood. To which character in NW would you compare Pip with and why? How do both books deal with cultural background and identity?

Write a contrast & comparison essay where you elaborate on that question.

Think about the relationship between identity, fate, place, family and friends, and cultural background while shaping your answer. You can choose whatever angle you feel comfortable with.

Evaluation

This lesson series has almost come to an end, but before finishing, fill in the word web in the next slide answering the following question:

What is the main theme of NW?

(you can add words more than once)

www.wordle.net

Thank you for participating in this lesson series.
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