Symptoms of Being Human

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What is the difference between “gender” and “sex”? What are some examples of ways in which a person’s gender expression (the way in which a person expresses a gender identity, often through appearance, dress, behavior, or other perceived characteristics) might change over time or depending on the situation? What does it mean when we say that someone’s gender expression or gender identity is “nonbinary” or when we talk about “gender fluidity”?

Teaching Suggestion: The main character of Symptoms of Being Human, Riley, is nonbinary, and much of the book’s plot centers on this aspect of Riley’s identity. This prompt is intended to ensure that all students begin reading with the basic background information necessary to fully understand and empathize with Riley’s situation. After students make an initial attempt at this prompt, the resources below can be utilized to fill in any gaps in their knowledge and to broaden their understanding. Following this, students might revise their initial attempts at the prompt or discuss how these resources change their understanding.

• This guide from NPR explains terms commonly used in discussions of gender identity.
• This article from Harvard Medical School explains various forms of gender fluidity.

2. When do we use pronouns to identify people? Why does it matter which pronouns we use? What are some pronoun choices that nonbinary people might prefer?

Teaching Suggestion: Throughout Symptoms of Being Human, Garvin avoids using any pronouns to refer to Riley. In writing about and discussing the book, however, students may find it easier if they are able to use both Riley’s name and appropriate pronouns. This prompt and the resources offered below aim to get students thinking about possible pronoun choices and why certain choices are more respectful than others.

• This guide from The Diversity Center thoroughly explains how to choose pronouns respectfully.
• This article from The Oxford English Dictionary website explains the long history of the use of “they” as a singular pronoun.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Society sends a lot of messages about how people are “supposed” to act—how they should talk, think, dress, and feel—according to their perceived gender. What are some of the ways you have noticed society reinforcing the gender binary? How might these expectations be limiting?

Teaching Suggestion: After students have had a chance to respond to this prompt individually, you might lead a class discussion in which students contribute their examples and then brainstorm additional examples, gradually filling in a T-chart on the board that categorizes the examples according to whether they are overt or covert methods of reinforcing the gender binary. Students might evaluate which category is harder to resist and analyze the reasons for this. Due to the sensitive nature of the question, a private, independent response may work best for the class or for individuals who might prefer it. With either strategy, discussion can be extended by asking students to brainstorm ways to counteract expectations that may be limiting.