Ninth Ward

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.

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

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

1. Three-dimensional characters demonstrate a wide variety of traits: both positive and negative qualities, both strengths and weaknesses. Lanesha accomplishes and overcomes so much that she can seem one-dimensionally superhero-like at times, but she also demonstrates faults, weaknesses, and negative traits that show she is a developed character with many sides.

• List three faults, weaknesses, or negative traits Lanesha demonstrates that contribute to her three-dimensionality as a character (topic sentence).
• Discuss a total of three scenes in which these traits can be seen.
• In your conclusion, describe the impact of Lanesha’s mix of positive and negative traits on her survival.

2. At times, TaShon is depicted with imagery that connotes weakness (he is physically smaller than peers; he is harassed by Max; he can’t keep his own dog; his father cut off his extra fingers when he was born). He also tends to react to fear and frustration more impulsively than Lanesha (he cries openly in front of her). TaShon, however, also shows great strength and resourcefulness.

• Describe TaShon’s strengths and abilities in the story (topic sentence).
• Discuss at least three times in the narrative when TaShon proves his strengths.
• In your conclusion, describe the ways in which Lanesha relies on TaShon’s strengths so that survival remains a possibility.

3. Lanesha’s experiences in the novel cause her to grow and mature emotionally. This process is often referred to as coming-of-age.

• Specify three story events (not including the storm or the flood) that bring about Lanesha’s coming-of-age (topic sentence).
• For each event, discuss the ways in which Lanesha reacts and what she learns or decides as a result of the event.
• In your conclusion, speculate how Lanesha might react next time she experiences conflict or hardship as a result of these coming-of-age experiences.

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. The hurricane does not hit until just past the story’s halfway point. How does the author build suspense and apprehension until then? Find at least three specific scenes to analyze with regard to the heightening of mood and atmosphere in the book’s first half. Use details from the scenes to support your discussion.

2. Lanesha’s life would have been much different if she had been raised by her Uptown family. What traits and characteristics does Lanesha possess that surely developed as a result of her upbringing with Mama Ya-Ya in the Ninth Ward? Find and cite evidence of these traits and characteristics in the novel and discuss how they influence her coming-of-age process throughout the book.

3. Many stories feature an animal “sidekick” or animal secondary character who serves to highlight conflict or character development of the human characters. How does Spot function in this story—why is he there? How does he make conflict easier or harder? What traits appear in Lanesha, Mama Ya-Ya, and TaShon that we might not see without Spot’s presence? Use details from the text to support your ideas.