They Both Die at the End

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. In They Both Die at the End, readers must accept the existence of “Death-Cast,” a company that calls individuals to notify them that they have only 24 hours to live. Thus, readers are forced to suspend disbelief about reality in order to become immersed in the novel. Brainstorm other science fiction titles that ask readers to suspend disbelief. Is it possible to go too far?

Teaching Suggestion: You can use this as an opportunity to discuss with students the premise of the novel and to prepare them for the fact of the title—both Mateo and Rufus die at the end. You can also use this question to encourage students to think more deeply about the novel’s characters.

• This Philosophy Talk article details why people willingly suspend disbelief when they encounter media.
• This New York Times article explains the etymology and meaning of “suspension of disbelief.”

2. What other novels are you aware of that include LGBTQ+ characters?

Teaching Suggestion: Many students may not be aware of titles that include LGBTQ+ characters, either as protagonists or supporting characters.