Show Me a Sign

Throughout the novel, the characters must confront various prejudices. Describe each of the characters who expresses or experiences prejudice and the reasoning behind the discrimination. How does Mary experience prejudice at the hands of Andrew Noble? What are some of the ways the islanders express prejudice as well as experience it? How is the culture on the island different from that on the mainland? Why do you think that is? 

Teaching Suggestion: Because this prompt asks students both broad and specific questions, it may be helpful for students to discuss the various topics in small groups and record their responses before sharing whole-class. It also might be helpful to have students return to their responses to the Personal Connection Prompt to connect their own experiences to those of the characters in the novel.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who require additional assistance, consider allowing the students the use of a T-chart to record the various characters on one side and a description of how they express and/or experience prejudice on the other side. It may also help students to organize their thoughts if they think first about the island, then about the events on the mainland, using a drawn map that shows the geographic settings.