The War I Finally Won

Cite and analyze the ways that Mam’s abuse appear in Ada’s beliefs and behavior in the novel. Use these guiding questions to formulate your response.

• Whom does Ada mistrust?
• What are Ada’s fears?
• How does Ada react when something bad happens to her family members?
• What items does Ada store for self-preservation?
• Why does Ada feel responsible for Susan and Jamie?
• In what ways does Ada experience healing?

Teaching Suggestion: Because Ada’s experience with abuse permeates the novel, it may be helpful for students to analyze her reactions to the abuse in small groups by collectively contributing examples of her reactions in the novel. In these groups, students can divide a piece of paper into five sections and provide examples in each section. It may be useful to use the round robin method of discussion with one student recording to ensure students contribute equally.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who benefit from additional assistance with analysis may find it helpful to have small portions or excerpts from the novel assigned to them to analyze. Students can read the excerpt and run through the five questions to see which apply to that portion of the novel.