Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi explores the intertwined fates of two African sisters, Effia and Esi, separated at birth. This teacher's guide provides educators with strategies to enhance student understanding of the novel's themes, including the legacy of enslavement and cultural identity. Designed for high school and college-level courses, it includes pre-reading activities, discussion prompts, and critical analysis aligned with Common Core Standards. The guide also emphasizes the importance of historical context and character development throughout the narrative. Ideal for literature and history classes, it encourages deep engagement with the text and its broader implications.

Key Points

  • Includes discussion prompts for analyzing themes of identity and legacy in Homegoing.
  • Offers pre-reading activities to build background knowledge about African history.
  • Aligns with Common Core Standards for high school literature and history classes.
  • Features a family tree to help students track character relationships throughout the novel.
newtopiccyclegrowin
8 pages
History of Africa
newtopiccyclegrowin
8 pages
History of Africa
117
/ 8
Yaa Gyasi’s Homegoing is a sweeping exploration about what happens to the descen-
dants of two African sisters separated at birth. Told through compelling chapters that
follow the generations, the novel creates many opportunities for considering the legacy
of enslavement for those of African descent. Teachers can be successful in their study
of the novel by taking time to carefully equip students with a factual understanding of
the African continent, particularly of western Africa. Supplementing discussions with
supporting nonfiction texts will also lead to a more robust, lasting understanding of
the enduring legacy of enslavement.
Supporting the national Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in reading literature
for high school curriculums, Homegoing is an appropriate selection for grades eleven
and twelve in language arts or and world history classes. At the college level, the book
is appropriate for composition and literature classes, race studies, gender studies, global
studies and is also ideal for first-year/common reading programs.
In the following “Examining Content Using Common Core State Standards” section
of this guide, the prompts provide for a critical analysis of Homegoing using the CCSS
for Literature for grades eleven and twelve and are organized according to the standard
they primarily support. In addition, at the end of each standard and the corresponding
prompts, a classroom activity is provided that will enhance analysis of the text.
For a complete listing of the Standards, go to: www.corestandards.org/the-standards
Note to Teachers
Homegoing
by Yaa Gyasi
Vintage | Trade Paperback
978-1-101-97106-2
320 pages | $16.00
VINTAGE TEACHER’S GUIDE
1
Winner 2017 - Pen/HemingWay aWard for Best first novel
Winner 2016 - national Book CritiCs CirCle JoHn leonard Prize
finalist 2017 - Pen/roBert W. BingHam Prize
finalist 2017 - dayton literary PeaCe Prize for fiCtion
Reading Homegoing will be a meaningful experience for students if they know about
the rich history of Africa before the Atlantic slave trade began. Additionally, taking
time to confront stereotypical representations of the continent will help students
interrogate their own assumptions. The “Resources” section provides several ideas for
helping students construct a nuanced understanding of the African continent that will
encourage deeper reading. Teachers might begin with a visual representation using
How Big is Africa? This image foregrounds the breadth of the continent. Additionally,
studying maps creates appreciation of the impact of colonialism and viewing images
of the actual Cape Coast Castle in Ghana will provide a concrete framework for the
setting. These introductory activities allow for discussion and analysis of some of the
broader themes of the novel while also building requisite background knowledge.
Gyasi provides a family tree in the front matter, and teachers might spend time study-
ing it with students. Given the large number of characters, having students assign an
image or symbol to each character can help them trace familial lineages and organize
the characters as they read. Additionally, bookmarking the family tree allows for fre-
quent reference as students read the text. Spending some time analyzing and discussing
the epigraph can also provide a complementary introduction for students in prepara-
tion for their reading.
The text is ordered into two distinct parts, each containing sub chapters that lend
themselves to pre-reading and smaller units of study. Teachers might select one or two
chapters to acquaint students with Gyasi’s voice, ideas, and themes. These short chap-
ters are ideal for close reading and mentor texts and as prompts for students to do their
own writing.
Examining Content Using Common Core Standards
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.2
Determine two or more themes or central ideas of a text and analyze their development
over the course of the text, including how they interact and build on one another to
produce a complex account; provide an objective summary of the text.
Several characters continue speaking African languages (Ma Aku, Ness) even when
punished by white slaveholders. Others, like Marjorie, know Twi and speak it to
remain connected to her grandmother in Ghana. What is the importance of the
“mother tongue” for characters?
Consider the rites of passage that prepare young women for marriage and the char-
acters who are most impacted by these decisions (Effia, for example). What does the
adherence to beliefs about puberty, marriage, and other decisions suggest about cultur-
al values, gender, and personal choice? What is the relationship between tradition and
choice?
Marjorie travels back and forth between Alabama and Ghana, feeling “I don’t fit here
or there” (p. 278). Analyze the ways she attempts to forge connections to her identity
as Ghanian-American and how that complex identity helps us understand the com-
plexity of identity. How does receiving the necklace from her grandmother help to
ground Marjorie’s idea of home?
Key Ideas and Details
2
Pre-Reading Activities
3
Explain how characters either continue or reject the legacy of colonialism. In that anal-
ysis, think, too, about the role of agency: which characters are able to reject colonialism
(i.e., Quey and James), and which are not (i.e., Effia, etc.), and the significance of
those abilities.
How do characters grapple with the longstanding impact of race and racism? Consider
the impact of interracial marriage and sexual assault on characters. What are the physi-
cal and internal scars characters carry? Discuss the consequences of these scars.
How do characters practice resistance in the novel? Analyze the characters who were
physically enslaved (Ness, H), and ones who were attempting to escape mentally
(James, Willie), and still others who lived in fear of being enslaved after escaping to
freedom (Kojo). What conclusions can be drawn about the importance of resistance in
the face of difficulty?
In an interview with the Guardian, Gyasi said one of her goals with Homegoing
involved “trying to trace the trail of trauma reinvented.” That trail begins early in the
novel, as Effia lives in Cape Coast Castle above the dungeons that hold the enslaved. A
place Effia explains, where “all beasts were ascribed worth” (p. 25). How does Gyasi’s
statement establish an understanding of how humans were devalued and how does
it also help to think about the lasting impact of enslavement? Link to article: https://
www.theguardian.com/books/2017/jan/08/yaa-gyasi-slavery-is-on-peoples-minds-it-
affects-us-still-interview-homegoing-observer-new-review
Consider Maame’s loss of her children and also when Esi realizes she would “learn
what it meant to be un-whole” (p. 42). Other women are separated from their chil-
dren, while others, like Esi, who feels a sense of loss when she learns she has a sister.
What do these instances suggest about the impact of loss and familial separation on
women and their children?
Analyze the moment of negotiation between Abeeku and James Collins for Effia’s
hand in marriage. James Collins pays “thirty pounds up front and twenty-five shil-
lings a month in tradable goods to Baaba as a bride gift” (p. 15) for Effia. What does
Abeeku’s final decision suggest about the role of women in this community? How does
Abeeku leverage Effia’s beauty and what does his willingness to do so help us to under-
stand about the relationships between women, beauty, and economics?
Classroom Activity
How is the necklace related to one of the central ideas of the novel? Collect examples
that demonstrate the theme and summarize the relationship between the symbol and
the theme. Then, use that analysis to have a structured discussion about the use of the
necklace and its contribution to the story’s meaning and aesthetic impact.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.11-12.3
Analyze the impact of the author’s choices regarding how to develop and relate ele-
ments of a story or drama (e.g., where a story is set, how the action is ordered, how the
characters are introduced and developed).
/ 8
End of Document
117

You May Also Like

FAQs

What are the main themes explored in Homegoing?
Homegoing delves into themes of identity, legacy, and the impact of slavery on generations. The novel contrasts the lives of Effia, who marries a British slaver, and Esi, who is enslaved and sold into America. Through their descendants, Gyasi examines how the scars of slavery and colonialism shape individual and collective identities. The exploration of cultural heritage and the struggle for belonging are central to understanding the characters' journeys.
How does the setting of Cape Coast Castle influence the story?
Cape Coast Castle serves as a critical backdrop in Homegoing, symbolizing the horrors of the transatlantic slave trade. The novel juxtaposes the lives of those above the dungeons, like Effia, with those imprisoned below, like Esi. This setting establishes a mood of tension and foreboding, highlighting the stark realities of colonialism. The castle's historical significance deepens the reader's understanding of the characters' struggles and the lasting impact of their experiences.
What role does language play in the characters' identities?
Language in Homegoing is a powerful marker of identity and cultural connection. Characters like Ma Aku and Ness maintain their African languages despite the oppressive environment, emphasizing the importance of their heritage. The use of Twi by Marjorie connects her to her roots and grandmother in Ghana, illustrating how language can bridge generations. This theme underscores the struggle between cultural preservation and the forces of assimilation faced by the characters.
How does Yaa Gyasi portray the impact of loss and separation on families?
Loss and separation are recurring motifs in Homegoing, particularly affecting women and their children. Characters like Maame and Esi experience profound grief from being torn apart from their families, which shapes their identities and choices. Gyasi illustrates how these experiences of loss resonate through generations, affecting relationships and personal development. The emotional weight of familial separation highlights the broader historical trauma of slavery and its enduring legacy.
What is the significance of the family tree included in the guide?
The family tree in Homegoing is crucial for understanding the complex relationships between characters across generations. It helps readers track the lineage and connections between Effia and Esi's descendants, facilitating deeper engagement with the narrative. By visualizing these relationships, students can better appreciate the themes of legacy and identity. The family tree serves as a reference point, enhancing comprehension of character motivations and the impact of historical events on their lives.
How does the novel's structure enhance its themes?
Homegoing's structure, alternating between the stories of different descendants, emphasizes the interconnectedness of their experiences. By beginning with Effia and concluding with Marjorie, Gyasi illustrates the long-lasting effects of slavery on contemporary identities. This narrative technique allows readers to witness the evolution of trauma and resilience across generations. The structure reinforces the theme of historical continuity, showing how the past shapes the present.
What educational strategies are suggested for teaching Homegoing?
The teacher's guide for Homegoing suggests various strategies to engage students, including pre-reading activities that build historical context. Discussion prompts encourage critical analysis of themes such as identity and colonialism. Teachers are advised to use visual aids, like maps and images of Cape Coast Castle, to enhance understanding. Additionally, analyzing the family tree can help students trace character relationships, making the complex narrative more accessible.

Related