Reference no: EM133453476
Assignment:
1. There are many different kinds of relationships in this novel: family, friendship, romantic.
Choose 4 relationships in this book and discussion how each of your selected relationships inform what is at stake for each of the main characters? Why do their relationships matter? How do they affect their choices and actions?
2. Each character reacts differently to the shooting. Choose any two characters and describe how they responded. Do you agree with the decisions they made? How might they have acted differently?
3. If you could change the fate of one character in this novel, who would it be and why? How would you change their story?
4. This is where it ends is interspersed with texts, social media posts, and blog excerpts. How do you think technology has affected the way we experience and respond to tragedy?
5. Family is very important to Sylv,.What are the sacrifices that she makes for her family? Why is she seemingly willing to make these sacrifices?
6. Sylv tries to save Steve and Asha because "we're all responsible for each other." What does Sylv mean by this? Do you agree?
7. Autumn doesn't feel as if she belongs in Opportunity. She tells Sylv, "If I stay here, I don't think I'll matter." What does she mean by this?
8. While speaking of Autumn's mother, Autumn's father says, "Dance took everything from her." Is that the case for Autumn too? What did dance give her?
9. Early in the novel, Tomás has the opportunity to escape the school. Instead, he chooses to try to help his classmates. Discuss Tomás's decision. Why do you believe that he made this decision? What does the choice that he made tell us about how we should view him?
10. When Fareed is on the phone with the police, Tomás comments that Fareed suppresses his accent so he won't be marked as a suspect. Do you think that was necessary? What does this say about our society that he chose this and that his friend recommended it?
11. There are moments in the novel when Claire says she hates herself for wanting to be happy. Why does she feel that way? What social pressures "expect" this of her?
12. Claire and Chris feel helpless as they wait for news about what is happening inside the school. In your opinion, was it more difficult for the characters inside the auditorium or those waiting to hear about their loved ones? Why?
13. Tyler told his father he wanted to go back to school to "set things right." Discuss his motivations. How could he have gone about this differently?
14. Who is Tyler? What makes him become a shooter? Are there social pressures or experiences that have potentially broken him to the point that he committed the violence that he did?
15. Autumn and Tyler were both grieving their mother and dealing with family and school. How did they each cope with their troubles? Why do you think they both felt so alone?
16. What do you think happens to the survivors after the book ends? What would come next for them? How do you think their experiences changed them?