Half Broke Horses

Consider the motif of failure in the text. How do different characters address the concept of failure? How does each character’s approach fit within the larger theme of Learning How to Fall?

Teaching Suggestion: Students might work in small groups to list bulleted points for each character before formulating a written response independently; alternatively, small groups might discuss the question for a short time before sharing their conclusions with the larger group. Additionally, students might connect their response from the Personal Connection Prompt to this prompt, making comparisons between their personal experience with failure and Lily’s or another character’s. In the novel, Lily experiences failure several times, and these failures help her to continue her journey. Lily tries to instill this resiliency in her daughter Rosemary; for example, she frequently allows her daughter to make her own decisions.

Differentiation Suggestion: For advanced classes or for students who would benefit from an approach that includes an extended discussion opportunity, the following question can be added: Evaluate Lily’s parenting style. Are her methods too harsh, or are they effective? Why or why not? To what extent is parenting a success or a failure for Lily? (Readers might be interested to know that Lily’s approach to parenting is reflected in Rosemary’s parenting to Jeannette in The Glass Castle.