Between the World and Me

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. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

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

1. Coates repeatedly refers to the Black body, using this dehumanizing term for his own life and the life of his fellow Black people.

• Why does Coates use this clinical, dehumanizing language? (topic sentence)
• What does it mean to think of the world as physical and rooted in violence against the body?
• What is Coates saying about the nature of the Black experience in America?

2. Coates describes the destruction of Black bodies as part of America’s heritage.

• What does it mean that American history is built on the backs of Black bodies? (topic sentence)
• In what ways is this assertion true, and where does Coates see the evidence of it?
• What does this ultimately mean for Coates about the Dream?

3. When Coates arrives in Paris, he sees the way that his homeland has shaped his worldview.

• What is different about Coates’ experiences abroad versus his experiences at home? (topic sentence)
• How does this affect him and his outlook while he’s abroad?
• What does this say about the effect culture has on a person?