I hope to develop this page for Literature discussion questions on titles that lend themselves to great philosophical dialogue for children. These questions may need to be slightly edited if you choose to use them with a secular or non-faith-based group of students. This blog is written through a Christian and Biblical lens. The questions are designed to ultimately ask poignant questions inherent in academic philosophy within the categories of "What is real?", "What is good?", "How do we know?", "What is beautiful?", "What is wisdom?","Who is man?" and "What is his purpose?" As Christians, we need to train our children to think, to question, to explain, to defend, to engage, to share as we live for God's divine purpose. Paul's warning about not engaging in useless philosophy is well taken -- a student should not endeavor to pursue these questions without firm rooting. For this reason, it is even more vital that we prepare and guide our children through the Big questions so they may always be ready to give an answer for the Hope that is within them. A failure to address these big questions is a primary catalyst for children to walk away from their faith -- sometimes as early as high school, because children are not literate in scripture. We are facing an alarming phase in our history where we have a generation of young Christians who are not only illiterate in Bible, but illiterate in literature as well. Children won't be prepared for thinking if they don't read. You have to know all of scripture, not just select verses, or a book or two. Children also need to be well read in great literature with the Holy Spirit as their compass. Otherwise, they will encounter these same ideas and questions inherent in literature through media and not know how to answer them. They will not know how to question society or ethical issues as they mature to young adults.
The discussion questions for literature will build over time. Additional titles will be added.
Questions for Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (page numbers may vary depending on edition)
1. p. 18 In the beginning of the novel, a description of Panem is read during the reaping. "The treaty of Treason gave us new laws to guarantee peace and,.. it gave us the Hunger Games." What is your definition of peace? What is the Capitol's definition of peace?
2. Who has the peace? the people? the Capitol?
3. p. 19 "Whatever words they use, the real message is clear, 'Look how we take your children and sacrifice them and there's nothing you can do." Do you think the Hunger Games is like the practice of child sacrifice? Societies that have practiced child sacrifices include (ancient Peru, ancient Aztecs-Inca culture, ancient Moab, ancient Ammonite culture, ancient Phoenicians.) Are there modern societies?
4. Why do you suppose some societies create and condone child sacrifices?
5. p. 19 "'It is both a time for repentance and a time for thanks' intones the mayor." What is the definition of repentance? Who has done the misdeed or moral wrong? People sometimes talk about a moral compass -- what do they mean by that? As you read the story, think about each character and how you would describe their moral compass. What is a compass? What does it mean to have morals? What is the relationship between a compass and morals?
6. p. 24 After Katniss volunteers - a type of sacrifice, "I stand there unmoving while they take part in the boldest form of dissent they can manage. Silence. Which says we do not agree. We do not condone. All of this is wrong." Do you think silence can be powerful? Talk about two different kinds of riots and their outcomes. Loud, angry, throwing stones type of riot vs a silent riot. What is the outcome of each riot? What are the consequences of each type? Who might be designated as the "bad guy” in each scenario?
7. p. 26 After Peeta's name is drawn, "Effie asks for volunteers, but no one steps forward. He has two older brothers, I know, I've seen them in the bakery, but one is probably too old now to volunteer and the other won't. This is standard. Family devotion only goes so far for most people on reaping day. What I did was the radical thing." What do you think of Katniss' statement? Consider whether you think ethics can be "bred" out of humans. Consider the instinctual nature "to protect" on a gender level. What are a woman's instincts in regards to protection? What are a man's instincts?
8. Why do suppose the drawing for the Hunger Games is called the reaping? What is the definition of reaping? What is generally referenced as "the reaping" or "the harvest" in scripture? How is the perspective different in the Hunger Games? Ccontrast the two views.
9. p. 49 "The idea pulls me up short. A kind Peeta is far more dangerous to me than an unkind one. Kind people have a way of working their way inside me and rooting there..." Do you think this is true and why?
10. p.59 "Oddly dressed people with bizarre hair.." Why do you think everyone looks artificial? What is the significance of the Capitol city flaunting an aversion to the natural or nature? Why would this be a good example of the testimony of the Beautiful? Why is there a problem with exposure to creation from the government's perspective?
11. p. 52 "They're so unlike people that I'm no more self-conscious..." Why do you think Katniss says this? Discuss how the Capitol flips the definition of what it means to look or be "human."
12. p.72 “A warning bell goes off in my head, ‘Don’t be stupid, Peeta is planning how to kill you. He is luring you’” Do you think her suspicion is true? This statement is a foreshadowing of betrayal and conflict. Does it ever manifest or become true?
13. Do you find yourself thinking like Katniss when meeting people or with people you’re already friends with? Is this suspicion a desirable trait? How does scripture try to train a Christian in this area of character development? Discuss possible topics based on children’s responses.
14. Which is safer for your survival? To never trust someone and always be somewhat alone; or to trust and only be sometimes disappointed? Is there a difference between survival and living?
15. p. 74 “The barbarism of your district…” (Effie) What about Effie? How would you describe her? Do you like her?
16. “Well, if you put enough pressure on coal, it turns to pearls!” (Effie) What do we learn about Effie from her comment here? How is a pearl made? What is it that coal makes?
More questions will be added as time permits :)
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