Funny+Boy

Funny Boy By: Shyam Selvadurai **  About the Novel:   ** Set in Sri Lanka and written by a Canadian author by the name of Shyam Selvadurai, // Funny Boy // is a novel about the coming of age of a young boy. The main character in the novel is a boy, who comes from a wealthy Sri Lankan family that focuses on family values and togetherness. The beginning of the novel is about the boy’s childhood and the various events that his childhood consisted of. Even though his family has very rigid beliefs about sexual orientation, this boy does not conform to traditional views. Within the novel, he is portrayed through the opposite in relation to his actions and the things he likes. Controversy is raised when his parents learn of his actions and they begin to interrupt in his life choices. The novel is very controversial in relation to traditional beliefs and values of Sri Lankan families which allows for this novel to discuss several societal influences into sexual orientation. The novel is told through the main character’s point of view. It depicts the way he discovers his sexual orientation and the several obstacles that created for himself and for his family. The novel brings to life the various perspectives that a gay individual has to face within society. It allows the reader to think about society through its traditional functions of heterosexuality. **  Grade Level/Course:    ** I would teach this text as part of the Grade 11 academic course. This novel would be one that students can consider as part of their individual unit study. By Grade 11, students have developed a mature mind about heterosexuality and homosexuality. Most likely, they have discussed this topic before and they can facilitate discussions about this novel in relation to society and how society functions. Students will develop an understanding of culture and how various cultures value and believe different aspects within society. From this novel, students will be able to develop an understanding of religion, culture, immigration and nationalism in relation to how individual lives can be affected. I would also consider this novel for a Grade 12 college preparation course as it is an easier read for students developing other skills. **  Other Relevant Courses:   ** I would also consider this novel to be analyzed in the Family Studies courses. Considering this novel encompasses aspects of family life, society, and traditions, this novel would be appropriate for several courses in the family studies area. Although novel studies are not traditionally completed in these courses, students can consider excerpts from this novel in order to analyze culture and family traditions. The first chapter of this novel can be analyzed in family studies courses when discussing how society informs our beliefs and values. **  Main Teaching Points to Emphasize:   ** This novel is considered an autobiography of the author, which I would emphasize to students reading this novel. It would also be important to emphasize and analyze how society reacts to individuals who do not conform to societal norms. The novel may have several negative connotations however I would expect that students reading this novel have thought about society as more than just heterosexual. Socially, I would teach students about immigration, culture and society as a broad concept. I would also teach them about race and how various races are stereotyped and discriminated against within society. Students would also be taught about individual identity and how aspects of society shape our understanding of ‘others.’ Culturally students would be taught about the various cultural norms in society and how each of these cultures view sexual orientation differently. Students would produce the ability to analyze cultures which will give them knowledge about how identities can position individuals into various roles within society. The novel itself mentions several aspects of culture which students will be allowed to compare to their own. Textually, students would be taught about language. This novel uses words that some students may not understand which will allow for them to complete research about the novel and about words that are used within it. The text in this novel is written to create certain perspectives which students will be learning how to analyze through literary devices. Topically students will learn about how this novel can connect to their own experiences. This novel is an autobiography which allows the reader to relate to various aspects of it. Students will be responsible for analyzing the concepts in the novel and the social issues that were occurring when this novel was written. Also, students will be providing knowledge to others about how various cultures can be observed and discriminated against in every society. Students will produce critical thoughts about this novel and their own experiences in relation to culture, society and personal experiences. **  Issues and Challenges to Teaching this Text:    ** This text can only be taught to a mature class as other students may not understand to context of the novel and instead would ridicule it. Discussions around culture, immigration, and society can be sensitive to some students which may result in rebellion from some students. Students would need to be provided with background knowledge about the novel before reading the novel occurs. They would need information about Sri Lanka and about how various cultures view sexual orientation. Based on the notion that this novel, and the topic within this novel, is not traditionally discussed in schools; several issues may arise in how students respond to it. Another challenge in teaching this novel is getting approval for it to be used. It will allow students to observe the various perspectives of sexual orientation within society; however some administrations may not feel comfortable with stretching the boundaries. **  Possible Assignments Related to the Text:    ** When reading this text, I would definitely require students to complete a journal assignment in relation to the main character. This novel is based on the issues the main character faces, which would be a suitable journal assignment for students to relate to the character and discuss their feelings. I would also consider completing a research project in order to discuss the various cultural aspects that this novel addresses. I would also consider having the students complete a creative activity based on the events in the novel. Having a group students outline to events in the novel and create a presentation about the differences between the novel and their own lives would allow students to create a comparison of cultures. After reading the novel, the students would be asked to complete a compare and contrast essay that analyzes themes and symbols within the novel. Each activity would be connected to the curriculum through writing, reading and media studies. The writing activities would strengthen a student’s writing skills while at the same time developing their reflective abilities. The media project would connect to analyzing media within the curriculum as students are responsible for reproducing various texts. The media project would act as an interpretation of the text where students can be as creative as they want. Created by: Vanessa Sookdeo Student Number: 207987654