Song for a Whale

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 over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Iris experiences stereotypes because of the differences between the hearing and Deaf communities.

• How does the plot of the novel challenge stereotypes? (topic sentence)
• Describe two instances of stereotypes that occur in the novel and explain how Iris addresses the stereotypes.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why the author likely chose to include stereotypes in the novel.

2. At the beginning of the novel Iris is more self-reliant but later begins to collaborate more with others.

• Why does Iris begin to collaborate more in the story? (topic sentence)
• Explain why Iris is self-reliant at the beginning of the novel and how it makes her feel. Then explain why she begins to collaborate more with others.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain to what extent Iris’s collaboration helped her achieve her goals.

3. Two characters, Nina and Bennie, attempt to communicate with Iris.

• How are the characters alike and different? (topic sentence)
• Explain why Bennie’s attempts are more helpful than Nina’s. Cite textual evidence.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why Iris is more forgiving of Bennie’s mistakes than of Nina’s.

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. Song for a Whale explores the theme of The Gap Between the Deaf and Hearing Worlds. Identify the character or characters who most often misunderstand the Deaf community, and describe three instances in the novel that exemplify the gaps between the two worlds. Evaluate the strategies Iris uses to overcome misunderstandings between the two worlds; which is most effective, and why?

2. Iris decides, like Blue 55, that she needs to advocate for herself. To do this, she convinces her family to send her to the Deaf school. Describe the novel’s presentation of Deaf culture. What are the most important reasons for Iris to belong to a Deaf community? What could be the consequences of continuing her education at a hearing school? What are the likely benefits of attending a Deaf school?

3. Iris identifies with Blue 55 and sets out to find a way to communicate with him. In what ways does Iris identify with the whale? To what extent is this connection fulfilling, especially in comparison to her other relationships? In what way does Iris’s character grow because of her connection to Blue 55?