Scar Island

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text throughout your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The weather—particularly the storm that emerges in Chapter 19—plays a pivotal role in Scar Island’s plot and character development.

• Besides causing challenges and hardship, what opportunities does the storm create for the characters? (topic sentence)
• How does the storm change character relationships?
• In your conclusion, discuss how the storm mirrors and reinforces the book’s themes surrounding Power Struggle and Authoritarianism.

2. There is no single definition of “Redemption.” The concept is subjective, depending on the nature of the crime from which someone is being redeemed.

• Does Sebastian redeem himself at the end of the novel? What is the nature of the crime from which he is trying to be redeemed? (topic sentence)
• Does his character repair itself as much as Jonathan’s does? Or is his Redemption of a lesser degree?
• In your response, define “Redemption” in the context of Scar Island and include that in your final assessment of whether or not Sebastian fully redeems himself.

3. Jonathan harbors a deep, dark secret for most of the novel, as do several of the characters in the book.

• How does the story change when a secret is revealed? (topic sentence)
• What are 2-3 secrets in the book that change the entire course of the story?
• In your conclusion, explain how secrets play an influential role in characters’—particularly Jonathan’s—quest for Redemption.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. How does the revelation of Jonathan’s secret affect the Power Struggle between Jonathan and Sebastian? Which of the two boys do the rest of the Slabhenge boys respect more? How does the slow unveiling of Jonathan’s secret change his character as the story progresses? In your examination of the Power Struggle between the two boys, compare and contrast what characteristics of each boy give them power and, similarly, what characteristics detract from their power.

2. How is symbolism demonstrated when the boys burn the files of their juvenile crimes to light the lighthouse? What do you think burning the files represents? In your response, consider how fire plays a crucial role in Jonathan’s shame and ultimate Redemption. Consider also how fire can be seen as an equalizing force, decimating everything in its path, including any Power Struggle that may have existed among the boys.

3. Benny is Sebastian’s closest ally, and Colin is Jonathan’s close ally and friend. How are the characters of Benny and Colin similar and different? How do these two friendships differ? In your response, reflect upon how these two characters affect the larger Power Struggle between Sebastian and Jonathan.