A List of Cages

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Explain how Russell is abusive to Julian other than physically.

• Other than physical abuse, how is Russell abusive to Julian? (topic sentence)
• Describe three ways Russell is abusive to Julian without being physical.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how what Russell says/does is in fact abuse even though it is not physical.

2. Explain the lies Julian believes about himself, Adam, and Russell.

• What lies does Julian believe about himself, Adam, and Russell? (topic sentence)
• Describe one lie Julian believes about himself, one lie Julian believes about Adam, and one lie Julian believes about Russell.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize the ways in which the lies Julian believes connect to the novel’s theme of False Appearances and Deceit.

3. Name some of the ways Julian copes with his abuse.

• How does Julian cope with his abuse? (topic sentence)
• Describe three different times Julian is abused and what he does to deal with his abuse.
• In your concluding sentences, explain how his abuse and his coping mechanisms connect to the theme of Fantasy.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. How does Charlie change between the beginning and end of the story? How is Charlie described at the beginning of the story compared with how he is described toward the end? What event is primarily responsible for Charlie’s change? How is Charlie’s response to his family in the beginning of the novel different from that at the end? What other factors change Charlie?

2. At the beginning of the novel Julian is described as timid and insecure. How does Julian’s character change by the end of the novel? What brings about Julian’s change? What parts of Julian’s former character are still lingering?

3. Describe how the events in the latter part of the novel affect Adam. How is his personality different? How do the things that happen to Julian change the way Adam views the world? What mistakes will Adam avoid in the future? What impact does this change have on his friendships?