If I Ever Get Out of Here

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. George does not initially take seriously Lewis’s assertions that he is being targeted for being Native American.

• How does this change throughout the novel? (topic sentence)
• What are 3 moments from the text in which George and Lewis discuss this? How do these examples relate to George’s development as a character?
• In your concluding sentences, summarize George’s growth throughout the novel, connecting your ideas to the theme of Racism Toward Native Americans.

2. We learn from the start that Mr. Haddonfield has a connection to reservations in his past. 

• How does this affect his treatment of Lewis? (topic sentence)
• What are 3 examples in which Mr. Haddonfield’s connection comes up, and how does Lewis respond?
• In your concluding sentences, discuss how this conflict is resolved as Mr. Haddonfield explains his connection to Lewis’s mother.

3. The snowstorm forces Lewis to confront both Evan and his fear of the Haddonfields seeing his home.