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Writing backwards

Ask the students to write a short story as if they are trapped, like the narrator, in the head of someone whose life they are living backwards. This figure can be anyone: a literary character, historical character, the student, anyone.

Ontological puzzle

Ask students to discuss how they know that they are living their own lives forward instead of living someone else's life backwards.

Debate

Ask students to debate the results of the ontological puzzle--ask some students to argue that we are all like the narrator, living other people's lives backwards. Ask the other students to argue for the more commonly accepted reality that we live things forward, unsure of our deeds' outcomes.

Play acting

Ask students to bring in a scene from a play. Assign parts and read the play backwards, performing backwards as much as possible.

Other Martin Amis works

Bring in excerpts from...

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