Sunday School no: 169
Chapter 13, "The Bathroom Outside", from My Name is Cinnamon by Vikas Prakash Joshi:
Reflection Questions:
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Cultural and Societal Norms:
- What does an outdoor bathroom symbolize in the context of societal and infrastructural challenges?
- How does this setting influence Cinnamon's understanding of privilege and inequality?
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Personal Growth and Empathy:
- How does Cinnamon react to encountering a bathroom outside? What does this tell you about his perspective on comfort and convenience?
- In what ways does this experience help him develop empathy for people who live differently?
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Family Dynamics:
- How do Cinnamon's adoptive parents approach this scenario? What does this reveal about their values and parenting style?
- How does the conversation or situation surrounding the outdoor bathroom contribute to the bond within the family?
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Resilience and Adaptability:
- How does Cinnamon adapt to this unfamiliar situation? What does this teach us about resilience in the face of discomfort?
- Reflect on when you had to adjust to an unfamiliar or challenging environment. What did you learn?
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The symbolism of Spaces:
- Settings often carry deeper meanings in literature. What could the "bathroom outside" symbolize in Cinnamon's journey of self-discovery?
- How does this physical space connect to the book's broader themes, such as belonging or identity?
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Social Commentary:
- What does this chapter reveal about the disparity in living conditions across different societal strata?
- How does Cinnamon process this disparity, and what might this suggest about his growth as a character?
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Humour and Humanity:
- Vikas Prakash Joshi often uses humor in the book. How does the author balance humour with the more profound implications of this chapter?
- What role does humour play in helping characters (and readers) navigate sensitive or uncomfortable situations?
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Connection to the Title and Theme:
- How does this chapter connect to the broader themes of identity and the search for belonging reflected in My Name is Cinnamon?
- What does this experience add to Cinnamon's journey of understanding himself and the world around him?
These questions are designed to spark introspection and meaningful discussions about the chapter's themes and its role within the narrative.
Next week -Chapter 7: Lies and Deception From "The Inner Life of Animals".
These are some suggestions you can choose from. I'm looking forward to seeing your wonderful and thoughtful reflections!
You can email your reflections to mk@learningforward.org.in or post them as comments below!
