The Dollhouse Murders

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. One of the major themes in The Dollhouse Murders is the idea that everyone has different strengths and weaknesses.

• What are some of Amy’s strengths and weaknesses? (topic sentence)
• Explain why Amy’s strengths ultimately make up for her weaknesses.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how the author shows Amy’s emotional growth as she overcomes her weaknesses.

2. Amy and Aunt Clare make many mistakes and jump to many conclusions throughout the story.

• What mistaken assumptions are made by Amy and Aunt Clare in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Explain the mistaken conclusions that are drawn by both Amy and Aunt Clare. Then explain how those conclusions create problems for Amy and Aunt Clare.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain the lessons that can be learned from Amy and Aunt Clare’s mistakes.

3. Amy’s mother and Mrs. Peck interact with Louann in very different ways.

• How do Mrs. Peck and Amy’s mom interact with Louann differently? (topic sentence)
• Explain the different ways in which Mrs. Peck and Amy’s mom interact with Louann, then speculate as to why the characters have different approaches on how to care for Louann.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain which of the characters you believe has a better approach to Louann’s care and what she needs.

Full Essay Assignments

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

1. Louann thinks literally and understands things in a black-and-white way. What are examples from the novel that explain the way Louann thinks? What strengths does Louann possess because of her thought processes? How does Louann experience character growth in the novel by thinking in new ways? What do you think Amy finds admirable about Louann’s way of thinking?

2. Wright uses irony when Amy finds Grandma Treloar’s letter naming the murderer in a copy of the play A Doll’s House by Henrick Ibsen. Why might the book explain Grandma and Grandpa Treloar’s haunting of the dollhouse? Why do you think the author chose Ibsen’s book to contain the letter? Why is the dollhouse unique in its ability to communicate an important message to the characters?

3. In Chapter 19, Aunt Clare feels like a new person now that the guilt for Grandma and Grandpa Treloar’s murders no longer weighs her down. Describe which of the characters feel guilty in the novel and why. Do you think the guilty feelings of the characters are founded? Why might guilt be a hindrance to individuals? As shown by the author, what are some ways to overcome guilt?