"The Wednesday War" Assignment

Instructions:

You are to respond to two of the following essay prompts.  Your responses should be a minimum of 2 pages, double-spaced, MLA format. They should be detailed and substantial responses with supporting evidence from the text. Check spelling and grammar, both will be counted towards your final grade.  Not having a computer at home is not a valid excuse for not completing the assignment as directed.  You have been given enough time to complete the assignment as directed.  If you do not have a computer at home, you can come to school early or stay late to use the school computer- responses must be typed- no exceptions!  Late work will not be accepted.  If you will be absent on the day the assignment is due you can e-mail it to me at: beltran.elise@yahoo.com   This assignment is due October 23rd.

Respond to two of the following:

- “When gods die, they die hard” (p. 93).  Explain the meaning of this quote. How does Holling experience the metaphorical deaths of many “gods” in The Wednesday Wars?  What new “gods” or “dreams” or “heroes” replace those who have “died”?

 

- How do the plays Holling reads with Mrs. Baker mirror events in the book?

 

- Explain Holling’s relationship with his father. What are the positive things about their relationship? What are the negative things? Does the end of the book leave you hopeful or fearful for their future relationship? Use examples from the book.

 

- Explain Holling’s relationship with his sister. What are the positive things about their relationship? What are the negative things? What did it mean that they had to find each other? Use examples from the book.

 

- How did your opinion of Mrs. Baker change as you read the book? Give specific examples and cite incidents from the story to support your view.

 

- After reading The Tempest, Mrs. Baker tells Holling that defeats help us grow. What defeats does Holling suffer in the seventh grade, and how do they help him mature?

- Why did Holling refer to his home as the “Perfect House,” and how does this relate to Holling’s father? Give details from the book that support the idea that all was not perfect.

 

-The month of May focuses on the idea of "finding oneself."  Both Holling and his sister pursue this idea.  Describe in detail both Holling's and his sister's "pursuit of oneself."  (In search of textual evidence you may want to elaborate on what Holling means when he says "she found me" (page 234), and also look at pg. 154 where Holling talks about his father's pursuit of self-discovery).