Tag Archives: Maaza Mengiste

The Secret War of Independence

Posted on May 26, 2021 by mileshenle

Near the beginning of The Shadow King, Aster is presented as this sort of mean stepmother, who uses Hirut as an outlet for her anger that should be directed towards her husband, Kidane. As readers, we learn that Hirut was … Continue reading →

Posted in #PBL #StudentCentered, #PennPBL, 2020 Booker Short List novels, One Pager, Project-Based Learning, Women's History | Tagged Booker Prize Shortlist Novels, Maaza Mengiste, PBL, TheShadowKing | Leave a comment

The Shadow King Podcast

Posted on March 4, 2021 by amethystmckenzie

Nearing the end of winter term, final papers are common across many classes. Creating a podcast with this lit group allowed for discussion. This podcast was great because the groupwork and collaboration for the month of February enabled deep discussion. Hearing … Continue reading →

Posted in #PBL #StudentCentered, 2020 Booker Short List novels, Literature Circles aka #litcircles | Tagged Booker Prize Shortlist Novels, Literature Circles aka #litcircles, Maaza Mengiste | 3 Comments

Women, Power, and The Shadow King

Posted on March 2, 2021 by Dan Ennis

In our English class, we read the novel, The Shadow King, by Maaza Mengiste. This book focuses on the Second Italo-Ethiopian War and the roles the Ethiopian females played in it. Following the completion of our single paragraph prose’s about … Continue reading →

Posted in #PBL #StudentCentered, 2020 Booker Short List novels, Literature Circles aka #litcircles | Tagged Maaza Mengiste | 10 Comments

Student Podcast Unpacking War, Violence, Class and Gender in The Shadow King

Posted on March 1, 2021 by 21wschmitz

The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste focuses on the bloody Italian invasion of Ethiopia. A realistic depiction of war, the novel includes scenes of brutal violence against men, women, and children—soldiers and civilians. One character specifically, Kidane, is personally forced to grapple with the horrors and consequences of the war. Although most of the characters in Maaza Mengiste’s The Shadow King come … Continue reading →

Posted in #PBL #StudentCentered, 2020 Booker Short List novels, Literature Circles aka #litcircles | Tagged Maaza Mengiste | 6 Comments

The History, Style, and Gender in The Shadow King

Posted on February 15, 2021 by Dan Ennis

The way that war and conflict break down the gender dynamic in Kidane’s army is particularly interesting – after all, they are all driven with the same motives. Aster’s gradual transition into a position of power puts her in direct conflict with Kidane – she … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020 Booker Short List novels, Literature Circles aka #litcircles | Tagged Maaza Mengiste | Leave a comment

The Unique Perspectives of Maaza Mengiste in The Shadow King

Posted on February 11, 2021 by 21wschmitz

The Shadow King tells a story of WWII struggle from two unique perspectives: that of Ethiopian history as well as women’s part in it. In my experience, classroom lessons about WWII are usually Eurocentric and ignore the conflict’s effects on the … Continue reading →

Posted in 2020 Booker Short List novels, English IV Honors, Literature Circles aka #litcircles | Tagged Lit Circles, Maaza Mengiste, PBL, TheShadowKing | Leave a comment

Maaza Mengiste and her “lyrical song of war”

Posted on December 15, 2020 by Dan Ennis

Throughout history, certain narratives – especially those pertaining to women and minority groups – have largely remain unseen and unexplored by literature. Synthesizing a compelling narrative through extensive research with impeccable writing, Maaza Mengiste combines gripping story about war – described as a “lyrical song of war” by Namwali Serpell of the New York Times – and a moving account of … Continue reading →