literary essay home of the brave

Home of the Brave

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Introduction

Before Reading

Reading Context

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Reading Questions & Paired Texts

After Reading

Discussion/Analysis Prompt

Essay Questions

Exam Questions

Exam Answer Key

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.

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1. Home of the Brave is written entirely in free verse, from the first-person perspective of Kek.

• How does the poetic structure of the novel help readers see the world from Kek’s perspective? ( topic sentence )
• Select three of the most effective poems from the text and reread them closely. How do these poems reveal the advantages of reading Kek’s story in verse? How does each poem describe the nature of Kek’s experience as a refugee in a way that prose could not?
• Finally, use your concluding sentence or sentences to summarize how free verse expresses the novel’s themes of either Holding on to Hope or Adjusting to a New Home and Culture .

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Home of the Brave Critique - Essay Example

• Subject: Literature
• Type: Essay
• Level: Undergraduate
• Pages: 3 (750 words)
• Downloads: 14
• Author: leilani86

Extract of sample "Home of the Brave Critique"

Home of the Brave shows the conflicts that Kek faces. He is caught between two worlds, Africa and America. He feels guilty leaving behind his people to live in a distant land, especially his mother, who he left amid an attack.

It is evident from the book that only Kek and his mother managed to survive the strategy, a mother whom he misses so much. Kek is now in his new environment in America, where he experiences snow for the first time in his life and feels its sting. It becomes hard for him to adjust as the snow’s brightness burns his eyes, and the cold is likened to claws in his skin. As life begins tougher, he opts to help his aunt by washing dishes, yet no one ever told him that the washing machine was only meant for cleaning clothes (Applegate, 18).

There are many conflicts in his mind, considering the differences he notices between Africa and America. Seeing the snow, Kek wonders if the people in this new setting will be as unkind and cold as the winter itself. Further, his desire to be like one of the Americans continues, when he meets an old woman by the name of Lou, who lives on a neglected farm and owns a cow. The image of a cow becomes very important to Kek, as it gives him an African identity. In Kek’s home nation, cows were very vital, and he is saddened to see Lou’s cow in a deprived condition because the old woman cannot take good care of it. Quickly, Kek takes over the job of caring for Lou’s cow and even names the cow, Gol, a name that symbolizes “family” in his mother tongue (Applegate, 50).

Even though Kek had found something to console his identity, things get harder and harder as later, Hannah plans to sell the cow. This despondent Kek is filled with wide-eyed amazement and he gets unalloyed enthusiasm. Even worse, he goes through insults due to the stereotype associated with being African. His tribe, language, and culture are never identified; his traits like age and appearance are either omitted or considered vague. He even wonders saying, “This pain is worse, one without pity like an icy night. This pain is a question the one my head will not stop asking; why am I here when so many are not?" (Applegate, 34).

Life is not as desirable as Kek could have thought before. While taking care of the cow, he feels better associating himself with his identity but something bad happens again. Kek finds out that Lou will sell the farm, meaning that the good part of taking care of the cow will be no more once the farm is sold. He is quite devastated and tries to run away but he does not get far. His conscience tells him to stop and see the cow, and it is at this point that his cousin engages in a conversation with him. However, they both share the pain of watching their families die, a factor that brings them much pain. Kek feels guilty about why he survived and he even hates that he survived the tragedy.

 As he waits to hear from his mother, he weathers the tough Minnesota winter by seeking warmth in the friendship he makes, the belief in his new home, and the strength in his memories (Applegate, 34). Even though the above-mentioned factors drove his sense of adapting to life in America, Kek does not hesitate to do anything he can to be American, despite the feeling of identity loss. For instance, he begins to make friends gradually but surely. In the first incidence, he meets Hannah, a teenager who lives in temporary care and finds a way to connect with her, since his father died and no one had an idea of where his mother was (Applegate, 61). Kek is extremely optimistic that she is still alive and has hope that a day will come when she will join him in America. In the long run, Kek and his two friends; Lou and Gol help him adjust to his new American life as well as the joy and pain that he will go through along the way (Applegate, 42). Towards the end, his mother comes to Minnesota and they make it a new home.

The book, “Home of the Brave” reflects Kek’s simple way of learning and adapting to a new language, culture, and experiences. From the content above, it is proven that Kek is lost between his identities and wants to be American at the same time. This is a very sensitive narration that covers most of the issues faced by new migrants from developing countries; from the misinterpretation of appliances to the hardships to learn English, and finally, racism.

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"Home of the Brave" Summary

By Katherine Applegate

poetry | 249 pages | Published in 2007

Estimated read time: 4 min read

One Sentence Summary

After immigrating from Africa to America, a young boy must navigate a new country and culture while dealing with the trauma of leaving his family behind.

Table of Contents

Introduction, brief synopsis, main characters, summary of different story points over chapters, main events, themes and insights, reader's takeaway.

"Home of the Brave" is a captivating and heartwarming novel by Katherine Applegate that delves into the story of Kek, a young Sudanese refugee who resettles in Minnesota after losing his father and brother during the civil war in Sudan. The book takes readers on a poignant journey as Kek navigates the challenges of adjusting to a new country, culture, and language while holding onto hope and resilience. Through Kek's experiences, the novel sheds light on the plight of refugees and the universal themes of perseverance, friendship, and the search for a place to call home.

Plot Overview

The story unfolds in Minnesota, where Kek, a 12-year-old Sudanese boy, arrives as a refugee. He grapples with the harsh winter, unfamiliar surroundings, and the daunting task of adapting to a new culture and language. Throughout the novel, Kek's determination to find his mother, who he believes is still alive in Sudan, remains a driving force.

The novel is primarily set in Minnesota, where Kek experiences the stark contrast between his homeland in Sudan and the wintry landscapes of his new environment. The setting plays a crucial role in highlighting the challenges and cultural adjustments that Kek encounters.

The book features several key characters who shape Kek's journey and provide insight into the refugee experience in a new country:

Chapter 1-5: Arrival and Cultural Adjustments

Kek arrives in Minnesota and is initially bewildered by the new environment, the language barrier, and the bitter cold. He struggles to comprehend English and forms a bond with a cow named Lou on the farm where he is placed.

Chapter 6-10: Navigating School and Making Connections

Kek starts attending school, where he faces challenges due to his limited English proficiency. He forms a close friendship with an elderly cow herder, Ganwar, who becomes a source of comfort and guidance.

Chapter 11-15: Search for Family and Hope

Kek's yearning to find his mother intensifies, and he holds onto the belief that she is still alive in Sudan. Despite the odds, he maintains hope and resilience while adapting to his new life.

Chapter 16-20: Building Bridges and Finding Home

As Kek continues to acclimate to American life, he discovers the power of friendship and the warmth of human connections. He learns to embrace his new identity while honoring his Sudanese heritage.

• Kek's arrival in Minnesota and the initial struggles with the language and climate
• Kek's friendship with Ganwar and the bond they share over their experiences
• Kek's determination to find his mother and the hope he holds onto
• The gradual acclimatization to American life and the discovery of a sense of belonging
• Resilience and Perseverance : The novel explores the resilience of the human spirit, as Kek confronts adversity with unwavering determination.
• Cultural Adjustment and Identity : It delves into the challenges of adapting to a new culture while grappling with one's own identity and heritage.
• Friendship and Connection : The importance of human connections and friendship in overcoming hardships is a central theme.

The novel offers insights into the refugee experience, shedding light on the emotional and psychological impact of displacement, the longing for home, and the strength found in community and support.

"Home of the Brave" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that resonates with readers of all ages. It offers a poignant portrayal of the refugee experience, fostering empathy and understanding while celebrating the resilience of the human spirit. The book serves as a reminder of the universal longing for home and the enduring power of hope in the face of adversity.

Katherine Applegate's "Home of the Brave" is a compelling and emotionally rich narrative that invites readers to embark on a heartfelt journey alongside Kek. Through its themes of resilience, friendship, and the search for belonging, the novel leaves a lasting impact, prompting reflection on the universal human experiences of displacement, hope, and the quest for a place to call home.

Home of the Brave FAQ

What is the genre of 'home of the brave'.

The genre of 'Home of the Brave' is contemporary fiction.

What is the book 'Home of the Brave' about?

The book 'Home of the Brave' follows the story of Kek, a young refugee from Sudan who resettles in Minnesota. It explores his struggles and experiences as he adapts to a new culture, learns English, and navigates the challenges of starting a new life in a foreign land.

Who is the author of 'Home of the Brave'?

The author of 'Home of the Brave' is Katherine Applegate.

Is 'Home of the Brave' suitable for young readers?

Yes, 'Home of the Brave' is suitable for young readers, particularly middle-grade and young adult audiences. It addresses important themes of immigration, belonging, and resilience in a sensitive and accessible manner.

Are there any discussion points for book clubs or classrooms in 'Home of the Brave'?

Yes, 'Home of the Brave' offers rich discussion points for book clubs or classrooms, including themes of identity, cultural adaptation, empathy, and the refugee experience. It can prompt meaningful conversations about diversity and inclusion.

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Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate Quizzes & Writing Prompts

Subject: English

Age range: 10 - 12

Resource type: Unit of work

Last updated

12 June 2023

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This novel study companion encompasses comprehension quizzes, a final test, and writing prompts to use with the novel, Home of the Brave , by Katherine Applegate. The included activities were designed to promote higher-level thinking skills in addition to providing more in-depth class and peer discussions and writing experiences.

The comprehension quizzes are divided into the four parts of the novel and feature multiple-choice and short-answer questions. The final test covers the entire book. The writing exercises require that students defend their ideas, viewpoints, and/or perspectives in addition to providing text evidence when appropriate.

This resource includes printable PDFs and Google Slides (digital) versions of the following activities:

• Part 1 Comprehension Quiz (2 pages) - Students will answer multiple choice and short-answer questions related to part 1 of the novel (ANSWER KEY included).
• Part 2 Comprehension Quiz (2 pages) - Students will answer multiple choice and short-answer questions related to part 2 of the novel (ANSWER KEY included).
• Part 3 Comprehension Quiz (2 pages) - Students will answer multiple choice and short-answer questions related to part 2 of the novel (ANSWER KEY included).
• Part 4 & Epilogue Comprehension Quiz (2 pages) - Students will answer multiple choice and short-answer questions related to part 2 of the novel (ANSWER KEY included).
• Final Test (4 pages) - Students will answer multiple choice and short-answer questions over the entire novel (ANSWER KEY included).
• 7 Writing Prompts (7 pages) - Students will respond to the writing prompts and provide evidence from the text to support their thinking.
• Writing Response Rubric (1 page)

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A bundle is a package of resources grouped together to teach a particular topic, or a series of lessons, in one place.

Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate Novel Study BUNDLE

This comprehensive BUNDLE has EVERYTHING you need to engage your class in a novel study using the book* Home of the Brave* by Katherine Applegate. Simplify your lesson planning with this NO-PREP NOVEL STUDY that includes activities in which students will respond to higher-level questions, deepen their vocabulary knowledge, and analyze elements of plot, characters, and the author’s craft. Includes Printable PDFs as well as Google Slideshows & Google Forms for a digital option! You save over 20% off the individual price of each product by purchasing this Home of the Brave Novel Study BUNDLE! Activities included require students to identify and investigate literary elements (e.g., tone, mood, plot, setting, theme, point of view, conflict, etc.) as well as literary devices and techniques (e.g., flashbacks, foreshadowing, figurative language, imagery, etc.). Additionally, students will make predictions, compare and contrast, summarize, evaluate characters, draw conclusions, and much more! The exercises in this unique study urge students to critically engage with the text. These activities were created to guide your students through the novel, hold them accountable for their reading, and assess their comprehension through a number of engaging and challenging activities.

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Brave New World

Introduction to brave new world.

Aldous Huxley ’s dystopic novel , Brave New World , was published in 1932. It became an instant hit for the way it presented the futuristic world as amazing and stunning at that time when WWII was still not on the horizon and the people were technologically not as advanced as presented in this novel. On account of the ingenious presentation of that social fabric, the novel was ranked as the best English novel of the century. Huxley wrote sequels in essay form Brave New World Revisited (1958), and with his final novel, Island (1962). The story revolves around the World State where people have been put into hierarchical order after they come out of hatcheries and are graded on the basis of their functions and performance duly monitoring and surveilled.

Summary of Brave New World

The story starts from the Hatching and Conditioning Centre, located in London where its director and assistants are lecturing the touring boys. They learn about processes Bokanovsky and Podsnap used for creating identical human beings through the embryonic processes in which different human beings are produced in factories into separate castes of Alpha and Beta at the top. The Alpha takes up the higher positions in the World States and other positions go to other castes in hierarchical order. The last race, the Epsilons, are occupying the final stage at the bottom of the hierarchy for doing labor. One of the employees also informs the boys about the vaccination procedure. From there, they visit the Nursery and see the programming of the infants through different techniques. Such as the use of ‘Soma’ drugs to escape unpleasant experiences.

When the students come into the open, they see games and sexual acts where a World Controller, Mustapha Mond, delivers a lecture to the touring students about history, the State’s narrative , and the nation’s ideology. Simultaneously, Lenina talks to Fanny about her intimacy with Henry Foster at which Fanny rebukes her for becoming too intimate and not being promiscuous. However, Lenina also informs her that she has already met Bernard Marx, a short and funny-looking guy for an Alpha caste and different than his peers.

Meanwhile, Bernard becomes furious about Lenina’s mention in the conversation of Henry and one of the assistants. Engaged in work, Lenina then informs Bernard that she would be gladdened to have the trip to the Savage Reservation. Meanwhile, Bernard meets his friend, Helmholtz Watson, for having disenchanted from the World Estate on account of their shortcomings. When Bernard applies for permission to visit the reservation, he has to go through the rigors of listening to the director’s tales before winning it. The director becomes nostalgic by mentioning his own trip to Reservation twenty years ago with a woman who was never to be recovered. He also learns about his exile and reviles at it but then moves to the reservation.

When he is on the reservation, he and Lenina are surprised to see its aging population contrary to the youth of the World State. They also watch religious rituals going on and they meet John, who narrates the story of Linda, his mother having met years back. Bernard senses Linda associated with his director in the past and learns about her ostracization from the village because of her willingness to sleep with various men and her book reading habit developed by Pope, her former lover. When Bernard agrees to take John to his world, he also asks him to take Linda with him.

Then Bernard promises him and asks Mustapha for permission to take Linda back. All of them fly back to London where the Director is waiting to confront Bernard, but he brings John and Linda instead and forces the Director to resign. So, John becomes a big hit in the society of London on account of his alienated look. However, he does not fit well in this world and with Lenina. Although Bernard becomes promiscuous, John hardly touches Lenina who becomes confused over his self-control and tries to seduce him on many occasions but fails. Despite Bernard’s insistence, John stays reclusive and refuses to meet important guests. Bernard, then, introduces him to Helmholtz and others and ridicules the reading of Romeo and Juliet by John for these ideas being foreign to the World State and its existing cultural milieu.

Lenina soon takes to John, visiting his apartment and taking soma. She confesses her feelings for him and he reciprocates. Hearing this she offers herself to him but ridiculed by the promiscuity of the World state he curses by using the lines from Shakespeare. However, John rebuffs her every effort. During this time, he comes to know about the death of Linda while Lenina was in the bathroom. He, later, says goodbye to her at the Hospital for the Dying. John is left to meet the clones having their soma ration. He tries to raise a rebellion among them but only causes riots which attract the attention of Helmholtz and Bernard.

However, the police arrive and arrest them all to bring them to Mustapha Mond. There they hold a debate on the policies, leading to John argue his cause and Mond responding to his arguments . While John argues in the favor of art and religion, Mond rejects his claims , adding these are useless things. Soon he exiles Helmholtz and throws Bernard out, threatening to reassign him to Iceland. Meanwhile, John says goodbye to them and stays far away in an abandoned lighthouse to purify himself by starving and flagellating. This catches the attention of a photographer leading many sight viewers to visit John. Meanwhile, Lenina arrives at which John calls her ‘strumpet’ and whipping her and himself. He cries out at her ‘Kill it, kill it’. The intensity of emotion leads the crowd to engage a party in which John participates. At the final realization, he commits suicide for submitting to the World State after that.

Major Themes in Brave New World

• Commodification: The novel shows the commodification of life in that human beings are being hatched, brought up, taught, and eliminated as if they are commodities. When the touring students come to know about hatcheries, they also learn how they are run. Thomas is monitoring Hatcheries and Conditioning Centers where Marx and Foster have been born to lead others. Crowne and Linda, too, show commodified human beings. When John visits the World State, he comes to know the application of this commodification by the upper class to keep on ruling the lower class. The purpose of commodification has been shared by Bokanvosky’s process in which it has been ensured that the new generation conforms to the social structure they are going to live in.
• Dystopian Society: The novel presents a dystopian society where human beings have lost not only their freedom but also their independence. Emotionless, they are being marked in the D.H.C. assembly line. Even if they have some common sense , they keep it to themselves such as Thomas and Marx. Human natural conditioning and mental preparation have also created a dystopia where human beings have become subservient to machines and mechanical behavior. That is why Lenina fails in hooking John who questions this very culture of the World State.
• Utilitarianism: The novel shows utilitarianism through the efforts of Big Brother to establish the Hatcheries for human production as well as conditioning. The savage, John, who visits the World State, comes to know this mechanical routine and detests it. He thinks that Soma food does not fit human beings. Instead of appreciating, he rather berates it and debates it with Mustapha. However, John preaches that though this system utilizes human beings, it is not akin to nature such as taking soma to experience human emotions is unnatural. Lenina’s engagement in promiscuity and her suicide points to the absence of this natural element she could not brook.
• Misuse of Science: brave new world shows the thematic strand of the misuse of science in that human engineering through hatching and conditioning has created desired characters. However, they do not conform to the new ethical framework of the World State. The director briefs the student about the paid voluntary work and conditioning of the Alpha males. The characters of Helmholtz and Bernard Marx have been conditioned, yet they are independent in their thinking most of the time. When Marx does not conform to the standards set by the World State, he is exiled. Similarly, hypnopedia for children and soma food point to this misuse of science.
• Dehumanization: The novel presents the dehumanization of its characters through different strategies adopted by the political elite. Human engineering and scientific techniques have successfully changed the behavior of some characters, yet humanity emerges from Lenina who does not find peace or Helmholtz and Marx who do not conform to the existing rules. Although soma has done its job well, yet the use of Bokanvosky’s process has, to some extent, makes dehumanization possible.
• Consumer Society: The theme of consumerism is significant in the novel in that human beings in the World State are primarily consumers who are fed with specific conditioning and specific food, soma, in order for them to conform to the social fabric created by the World State. That is why John does not become its consumer and shows other characters independence of thinking beyond marketing mechanism.
• Human Emotions: The novel sheds light on human emotions that though they could be engineered, robbed, taken away, and even subverted, yet human beings have the capability to feel empathy, sympathy and realize the dearth of these emotions. That is why when Lenina does not feel soma resolving her problems, she commits suicide and Bernard Marx has shown his desire to control his emotions.
• Genetic Engineering: The production line of the Hatchery and Conditioning center shows that the genetic engineering of humanity and its threat to the natural life cycle is not a figment of imagination. The creation of Alpha males or even the best human beings as argued by Mustapha does not seem a far-fetched idea. The subversion of the thoughts of Lenina and Bernard Marx and the surprising arguments of John show that humanity is facing this threat now .
• New Totalitarianism: The theme of new totalitarianism is significant. It is seen through characters like Mustapha Mond or Bernard Marx, as they are being controlled by the center. The World State has produced a culture where individuals have lost their individuality. Thomas views this as an “inescapable social identity” of every individual that conforms to the social structure engineered by the World State.

Major Characters Brave New World

• Bernard Marx: Bernard Marx is one of the protagonists along with John as they meet during the trip of the students to the hatchery. His special task is to teach sleep learning. Belonging to Alpha plus class has blessed him to think independently, a feature that makes him unfit for the World State society. It is, however, attributed to his stunted growth due to alcohol addiction. His mental independence has given him a feature that makes him empathetic toward others. Most of his character traits show that his condition is not executed properly and that his indifference lies in this. That is why he does not enjoy taking soma and feels a grudge against Lenina for enjoying her life. He leaves the World State by the end after his meeting with Helmholtz as he does not seem to fit into the society where his life constantly faces threats.
• John the Savage: Despite his supposed savageness, John is an important character in the novel. He was brought up on the Savage Reservation where he has learned sympathy and empathy, his two manly traits. Despite his otherness in the World State, he seems supposedly unethical except when he comes to know about Malpais. He could not understand the promiscuity of his mother and the enjoyment of the Malpasian males. His poetic rendering stays with him despite his tour of the World State and giving priority to freedom and not reconciling with existing contradictions, he ends his life.
• Helmholtz Watson: The character of Helmholtz Watson is equally important when starts to involve in the building of a new culture through engaging himself in emotional engineering. Befriending Bernard Marx has given him a point to vie for his attractiveness and intelligence despite his efforts to rationalize his dislike for him. Surprisingly, he loves poetry and lashes out at the wrong cultural engineering at the World State policy though he has been brought upon in a culture different from that of John the Savage. When he helps John to throw away soma by the end, he is exiled from the World State, considering his assistance an act of rebellion.
• Lenina Crowne: A teenager of just 19, Lenina Crowne is a female character of the novel who is working in the hatchery as a technician. Despite her being a lucky figure in the World State, she is promiscuous and becomes easy-going with almost everyone. Being in a relationship with Henry Foster does not impact her. She often uses soma to support her emotional state and goes to the reservation to enjoy life with Marx. When John spurns her advances by the end, she disappears from the novel.
• Mustapha Mond: As the controller in the country, Mond presides over the administration of one zone to consolidate the reins of the government. He controls the people about their do’s and don’ts in this connection and knows what to put on the pedestal of sacrifice for the greater good of the state. Although he is a physicist, he loves to please the public by proving that history is just a bunk and nothing else. He has evolved his own concepts about different social and individual values and finally lets John go to his mother by the end of the novel.
• Henry Foster: As an Alpha male, Foster musters the courage to flirt with Lenina, though, he quits immediately sensing his own future going to dogs. His casual behavior angers Bernard who warns him after which he moves on with the conventions, not showing his waywardness.
• Linda: Belonging to Beta-minus class, Linda is another significant female character who has a savage son, has brought upon on the reservations, yet she works in the Fertilizing Room. Having become a prostitute, Linda shows her other side that she cannot tolerate the type of life. Not able to bear it anymore, she takes too much soma to take her life.
• Thomas: Working as a D. H. C., Thomas is well-known in his circle as Tomakin and only appears in the initial chapters of the story. He briefs the students about the working of the hatchery and its role in the World State. Having a pedantic persona , Tomakin keeps a close watch on rebellious people like Bernard to whom he dispatches to Iceland as punishment. He resigns after Bernard confronts him about John to whom he fathered on the Reservation.
• Fanny Crowne: A friend of Lenina, Fanny presents herself as a typical lady in the World State. She is not her relative, yet she has a strong impact on Lenina in ruining her life by asking her to become promiscuous. Despite her own conditioning, she advises others to go wayward which is rather a surprising thing about her.
• Benito Hoover: A minor character, Hoover loves Lenina despite belonging to the Alpha class in the state. His name signifies two great dictators of the WWII era.

Writing Style of Brave New World

The writing style of Brave New World is known for highly detailed and technologically loaded diction . The characters are conditioned to live in that technologically modified world where the use of emotions is considered an abomination. The overall ironic style is called a mocking style in which the most vital information is held to be disclosed quite late in the text. It happens not only in the case of Bernard but also in Lenina. However, in terms of language, Huxley is highly precise to the point of clinical accuracy. He knows how to use diction appropriately to convey suitable meanings. For figurative language and literary devices , the author mostly turned toward metaphors , similes, irony , and sarcasm .

Analysis of the Literary Devices in Brave New World

• Action: The main action of the novel comprises the whole life and growth of the political landscape of the World State as shown through Mustapha Mond, John, Bernard, and Lenina. The falling action occurs John could not brook the situation, isolates himself, and engages in punishing himself. The rising action moment of the novel arrives when Marx and Lenina visit the Savage Reservation and meets John.
• Anaphora : The novel shows examples of anaphora such as, i. We slacken off the circulation when they’re right way up, so that they’re half starved, and double the flow of surrogate when they’re upside down. They learn to associate topsy-turvydom with well-being; in fact, they’re only truly happy when they’re standing on their heads. (Chapter-One) The example shows the repetitious use of “they’re.”
• Alliteration : brave new world shows the use of alliteration at several places as the examples given below, i. Government’s an affair of sitting, not hitting. You rule with the brains and the buttocks, never with the fists. For example, there was the conscription of consumption. (Chapter-3) ii. “As though I’d been saying something shocking,” thought Lenina. “He couldn’t look more upset if I’d made a dirty joke–asked him who his mother was, or something like that.” (Chapter-4) iii. But though the separating screen of the sky-signs had now to a great extent dissolved, the two young people still retained their happy ignorance of the night . (Chapter-5) Both of these examples from the novel show the use of consonant sounds such as the sound of /s/ occurring after an interval to make the prose melodious and rhythmic.
• Allusion : The novel shows good use of different allusions as given in the below examples, i. “Well, Lenina,” said Mr. Foster, when at last she withdrew the syringe and straightened herself up. (Chapter-I) ii. “O wonder!” he was saying; and his eyes shone, his face was brightly flushed. “How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is!” (Chapter-8) iii. He hated Popé more and more. A man can smile and smile and be a villain. Remorseless, treacherous, lecherous, kindless villain. What did the words exactly mean? (Chapter-8) iv. Did he dare? Dare to profane with his unworthiest hand that … No, he didn’t. The bird was too dangerous. His hand dropped back. How beautiful she was! How beautiful! (Chapter-9) The first example shows the reference to Lenin, the second to The Tempest by Shakespeare and the third to Hamlet , and the fourth to Romeo and Juliet both by Shakespeare.
• Antagonist : Mustapha Mond is the antagonist of the novel as he appears to have tried his best to spread the domination of the World State by working as the Controller.
• Conflict : The novel shows both external and internal conflicts. The external conflict is going on between John who has been bred up in the natural world and other characters who have been conditioned. There is also an internal conflict in the mind of Lenina who could not brook this controlling atmosphere .
• Characters: The novel shows both static as well as dynamic characters. The young boy, John, is a dynamic character as he shows a considerable transformation in his behavior and conduct by the end of the novel. However, all other characters are static as they do not show or witness any transformation such as Mustapha Mond, Bernard Marx, and Helmholtz Watson as well as Fanny.
• Climax : The climax in the novel occurs when Linda commits suicide and John vows to bring a revolution to change the system.
• Foreshadowing : The novel shows many instances of foreshadows. For example, i. A SQUAT grey building of only thirty-four stories. Over the main entrance the words, CENTRAL LONDON HATCHERY AND CONDITIONING CENTRE, and, in a shield, the World State’s motto , COMMUNITY , IDENTITY, STABILITY. (Chapter-1) ii. INFANT NURSERIES. NEO-PAVLOVIAN CONDITIONING ROOMS, announced the notice board. (Chapter-II) The mention of state, slogans, and nurseries show that this is some modern state set in the future. Therefore, this is an apt use of foreshadows.
• Hyperbole : The novel shows various examples of hyperboles such as, i. He was digging in his garden–digging, too, in his own mind, laboriously turning up the substance of his thought. Death–and he drove in his spade once, and again, and yet again. (Chapter-18) ii. The Savage nodded. “I ate civilization.” “What?” “It poisoned me; I was defiled. And then,” he added, in a lower tone , “I ate my own wickedness. (Chapter-18) Both examples exaggerate things as digging the mind and eating civilization are exaggerations .
• Imagery : brave new world shows the use of imagery . A few examples are given below, i. Hot tunnels alternated with cool tunnels. Coolness was wedded to discomfort in the form of hard X-rays. By the time they were decanted the embryos had a horror of cold. They were predestined to emigrate to the tropics, to be miner and acetate silk spinners and steel workers. Later on their minds would be made to endorse the judgment of their bodies. (Chapter-1) ii. There was a loud noise, and he woke with a start. A man was saying something to Linda, and Linda was laughing. She had pulled the blanket up to her chin, but the man pulled it down again. His hair was like two black ropes, and round his arm was a lovely silver bracelet with blue stones in it. (Chapter-8) iii. A moment later he was inside the room. He opened the green suit-case; and all at once he was breathing Lenina’s perfume, filling his lungs with her essential being. His heart beat wildly; for a moment he was almost faint. (Chapter-9) The above examples show images of feeling, sight, color, and sound.
• Metaphor : brave new world shows perfect use of various metaphors as given in the below examples, i. Two shrimp-brown children emerged from a neighbouring shrubbery, stared at them for a moment with large, astonished eyes, then returned to their amusements among the leaves. (Chapter-4) ii. Lenina did her best to stop the ears of her mind; but every now and then a phrase would insist on becoming audible. (Chapter-6) iii. The rock was like bleached bones in the moonlight. (Chapter-8) These examples show that several things have been compared directly in the novel as the first shows a comparison of children to fish, Lenina’s mind to a body, and rock to bones.
• Mood : The novel shows various moods; it starts with quite a dry and rocking mood and turns to be highly exciting at times and tragic when it reaches Linda’s suicide.
• Motif : Most important motifs of the novel, Brave New World, are sex, drugs, and consumerism.
• Narrator : The novel is narrated from the third-person point of view , which is the author himself.
• Personification : The novel shows examples of personifications such as, John began to understand. “Eternity was in our lips and eyes,” he murmured. (Chapter-11) ii. Pierced by every word that was spoken, the tight balloon of Bernard’s happy self-confidence was leaking from a thousand wounds. (Chapter-12) These examples show as if the eternity and balloon have feelings and lives of their own.
• Protagonist : Bernard Marx is the protagonist of the novel. The novel starts with his entry into the world and moves forward as he grows and transforms.
• Repetition : The novel shows the use of repetition as given in the below example, i. “ Silence , silence,” whispered a loud speaker as they stepped out at the fourteenth floor, and “Silence, silence,” the trumpet mouths indefatigably repeated at intervals down every corridor. The students and even the Director himself rose automatically to the tips of their toes. They were Alphas, of course, but even Alphas have been well conditioned. “Silence, silence.” All the air of the fourteenth floor was sibilant with the categorical imperative. (Chapter-2) This passage from the second chapter shows the repetition of “silence.”
• Setting : The setting of the novel is the dystopian future country of the World State showing events of 632AF.
• Simile : The novel shows good use of various similes as given in the below examples, i. The tropical sunshine lay like warm honey on the naked bodies of children tumbling promiscuously among the hibiscus blossom. (Chapter-4) ii. Like the vague torsos of fabulous athletes, huge fleshy clouds lolled on the blue air above their heads. (Chapter-4) iii. At Brentford the Television Corporation’s factory was like a small town. (Chapter-4) iv. Words can be like X-rays, if you use them properly–they’ll go through anything. (Chapter-4) These are similes as the use of the word “like” shows the comparison between different things. The first example shows sunshine compared to honey, the torsos of athletes to clouds, the factory to a town, and the words to X-rays.

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• Brave New World Characters
• The World is Too Much With Us
• All the World’s a Stage
• Once the World Was Perfect
• Discovery Of the New World
•  All the World’s a Stage
• This Is My Letter To The World
• The House Was Quiet and The World Was Calm
• Aldous Huxley

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Themes and Analysis

Brave new world, by aldous huxley.

'Brave New World' explores the perils of technological advancement, the consequences of sacrificing individuality for societal stability, and the ethical dilemmas of manipulating human nature.

Article written by Ebuka Igbokwe

Bachelor's degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

Aldous Huxley’s ‘ Brave New World ‘ is a thematically rich work and the author delivers a profound social commentary with satirical wit and distinctive style. Huxley references a wide range of literary works and philosophical ideas, a touch that gives the work literary weight and sets it in a broader intellectual context.

The story of ‘ Brave New World ’ deals with certain themes such as consumerism, technological control of society, immediate gratification, and loss of personal identity.

Consumerism and Capitalism

While Aldous Huxley’s ‘ Brave New World ’ primarily critiques totalitarian control and the sacrifice of individuality, it also provides commentary on the role of capitalism and consumerism in shaping the society of the World State. It invites readers to consider how unchecked production and excessive consumption can influence a society’s values, norms, and priorities, sometimes at the expense of genuine human connections and personal development. So central is this theme that Ford, the father of the assembly line and mass manufacture, assumes the figure of a deity in the story.

In the World State, humans are treated as products to be mass-produced and mere cogs in the wheel of society. Citizens are conditioned from birth to value material possessions and instant gratification over healthy and rich interpersonal relationships and individual experiences. The caste system, the technology for developing human embryos, and the conditioning process for the citizens are eerily similar to the manufacturing of goods in a factory.

The World State deliberately fosters a culture of constant consumption and dispensability. Citizens are conditioned to replace and put aside items and people without hesitation and discouraged from being attached to anything. The rapid turnover of possessions and relationships reflects the concept of planned obsolescence inherent in capitalist economies , where goods are designed to have short lifespans to encourage continuous purchasing.

Technological Control Over Society

Aldous Huxley’s ‘ Brave New World ’ explores technocracy, a system of government where experts and technology are the driving forces behind social and political decisions. In this dystopian world, technocracy plays a central role in maintaining control and achieving social stability.

‘ Brave New World ’ shows the consequences of technocracy when taken to the extreme. While a technocracy can harness science and technology for the betterment of society, it can also lead to the objectification of its citizens.

In the World State, this system of government is evident in nearly every aspect of society. The government, composed of World Controllers like Mustapha Mond, is a technocratic elite that makes decisions based on scientific principles and advanced technology. Human life itself is highly controlled, with citizens created in hatcheries, conditioned for certain specific roles, and sorted into castes based on their preselected intelligence and potential functions.

Technocratic principles also guide the development of the ideas through which the society is stabilized. The World State utilizes reproductive technologies, genetic engineering, and behavioral conditioning to create a population that is docile, predictable, and content. The aim is to eliminate suffering, conflict, and dissatisfaction, and to create a clock-work, well-ordered society. Here, technical expertise is not merely an aid to governance but radically influences culture. The result is that every aspect of society is meticulously engineered and regulated as if the individual members were parts of a machine.

Immediate Gratification and Pleasure Seeking

Aldous Huxley’s ‘ Brave New World ’ presents a dystopian society where immediate gratification and pleasure-seeking are cardinal pursuits. The World State is a carefully constructed society that prioritizes shallow, hedonistic pleasures over deeper emotional connections and true intellectual and spiritual pursuits.

The drug “soma” is the primary instrument for immediate gratification in ‘ Brave New World ‘. It provides citizens with a quick and artificial sense of happiness, contentment, and emotional numbness. Whenever individuals in that society experience negative emotions, they are encouraged to consume soma, which promptly alleviates their discomfort.

The society of the World State is designed to stave off intense and prolonged desire through a culture of shallow pleasures and hedonism. Citizens are encouraged to frequently indulge in casual sex and recreational activities. There is a conspicuous absence of deeper, meaningful relationships, intellectually engaging activities, or character-building cultural experiences. For example, the Solidarity Service is a communal gathering that features group singing which ends in a sexual orgy.

By conditioning the citizens to avoid any form of suffering, they are prevented from experiencing the profound joys, sorrows, and personal growth that come from facing life’s challenges.

Loss of Humanity and Identity

The World State views individual agency as a potential threat to social stability. Its government fears that allowing people to make meaningful choices or experience genuine emotions and intellectual autonomy might lead to conflict, dissatisfaction, or nonconformity. Consequently, individual agency is curtailed in favor of a controlled, harmonious society.

Citizens of the World State lack the freedom to make significant life decisions, pursue deep emotional connections, or engage in intellectual exploration. In their society, happiness is a paramount objective. From birth, individuals are conditioned to accept their predetermined roles in society, conform to societal norms, and avoid discomfort or suffering. This conditioning fosters a conformist culture where citizens find happiness in their assigned roles and shallow pleasures, even if these dehumanize them.

Throughout ‘ Brave New World ,’ characters who exhibit any unsanctioned initiative or seek greater agency often face social disapproval and adverse consequences. Bernard Marx, for instance, questions the status quo and longs for more genuine human connections. His desire for agency leads to isolation and eventual exile.

John “the Savage” also embodies the tension between retaining a strong sense of self and succumbing to pressures to conform to the social mold. Raised outside the controlled society, he represents an admirable alternative answer to the question of what it means to be truly human. However, his rebellion comes at a cost. He tries to resist the dehumanizing influence of the society of World State, but he fails to fully resist its corruption, and he commits suicide.

Key Moments in Brave New World

• The novel begins with a tour of a group of boys through the Hatchery and Conditioning Centre, where human life is artificially created, conditioned, and categorized into castes, led by the DHC and Mustapha Mond.
• Lenina Crowne and a co-worker discuss Lenina’s four-month monogamous relationship with Henry Foster, a situation frowned upon by their society which promotes promiscuity.
• Bernard Marx is introduced. He is a psychologist who has romantic feelings for Lenina and is offended when she is sexually objectified by her former partner.
• Benard and Lenina have a date and he invites her to go on a vacation to the reservation.
• Bernard and Lenina’s visit to the Savage Reservation introduces them to a world where people live outside the controlled society. Here, they encounter John “the Savage,” and Linda his mother.
• John “the Savage” is revealed to be the son of the Director of Hatchery and Conditioning who left his pregnant mother on the Savage Reservation.
• Bernard contrives to bring John over to the World State. His appearance causes a stir and the DHC’s resignation.
• While he gains popularity, John finds it increasingly hard to fit into the society of World State. He makes friends with Helmholtz Watson.
• Lenina tries to seduce John, but John attacks her and calls her a whore. He desists from attacking her when he learns that his mother has died.
• In grief at his mother’s death, John stirs up a minor riot at the hospital and is detained by the police.
• Mustapha Mond summons John, Helmholtz and Benard. In this meeting, Helmholtz and Benard are exiled.
• Mustapha Mond explains the principles behind the society to John, Bernard, and Helmholtz. He provides insight into the government’s use of technology and conditioning to eliminate suffering and conflict.
• Following Mond’s refusal to send John into exile like Bernard and Helmholtz, John is forced to remain in London.
• John’s self-flagellation to cleanse himself from the corruption of the civilization he joins draws a crowd, and in the ensuing chaos, he participates in an orgy. Overcome with guilt, John commits suicide.

Tone and Style of Brave New World

Aldous Huxley’s writing style in ‘ Brave New World ’ is marked by several key characteristics. First and foremost, he frequently adopts a satirical tone, using humor and irony to criticize social norms and to explore the unbridled use of technological and scientific advancements in managing society.

Furthermore, ‘Brave New World ’ is replete with literary, historical, and cultural references, encouraging readers to engage with a broader intellectual context. The narrative is character-driven, emphasizing personal development and psychological exploration. Aldous Huxley excels in world-building, creating immersive and believable environments that contribute to the depth of his story.

Huxley features dialogues that serve as a vehicle for philosophical and moral discussions. He also makes extensive use of irony, both situational and verbal, to underscore the absurdity of societal norms and critique certain aspects of human behavior presented in the story.

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About Ebuka Igbokwe

Ebuka Igbokwe is the founder and former leader of a book club, the Liber Book Club, in 2016 and managed it for four years. Ebuka has also authored several children's books. He shares philosophical insights on his newsletter, Carefree Sketches and has published several short stories on a few literary blogs online.

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Crazy Brave Themes

By joy harjo.

These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own.

Written by people who wish to remain anonymous

Teen Pregnancy

Early in life, Joy Harjo was faced with a difficult challenge - that was raising and tending to a baby. As a teen mother, Harjo faced much scrutiny from her abusive stepfather. But, Harjo felt that she had a responsibility to the child, and continued with the pregnancy. After the baby was born, she tended to it, and was a successful mother. After the birth of the baby, Harjo married a husband, who, like her father and stepfather, was abusive.

Spirituality

Joy Harjo had to endure many difficult things throughout her childhood - from being a teen mother to having an abusive family. However, she continued with her life despite those things, and was successful. The way that she did this was by finding peace through spirituality. Her Native American roots inspired her to learn more about her culture, and she attended a boarding school focused for Native Americans. To this day, she continues to seek guidance from her religion.

Abusive Relationships

Almost all of the relationships that Harjo had were abusive, ever since she was a child. Her first father was an infamous alcoholic, and preferred substance over family. When her mother divorced him, she married another man, who, at first, seemed friendly. However, he developed into an abusive man as well. When Harjo herself went looking for a husband, she married an abusive man, and had to run away from him across the country.

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Crazy Brave Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Crazy Brave is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

Study Guide for Crazy Brave

Crazy Brave study guide contains a biography of Joy Harjo, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Crazy Brave
• Crazy Brave Summary
• Character List

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

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The Big List of Essay Topics for High School (120+ Ideas!)

Ideas to inspire every young writer!

High school students generally do a lot of writing, learning to use language clearly, concisely, and persuasively. When it’s time to choose an essay topic, though, it’s easy to come up blank. If that’s the case, check out this huge round-up of essay topics for high school. You’ll find choices for every subject and writing style.

• Argumentative Essay Topics
• Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics
• Compare-Contrast Essay Topics
• Descriptive Essay Topics
• Expository and Informative Essay Topics
• Humorous Essay Topics

Literary Essay Topics

• Narrative and Personal Essay Topics
• Personal Essay Topics
• Persuasive Essay Topics

Research Essay Topics

Argumentative essay topics for high school.

When writing an argumentative essay, remember to do the research and lay out the facts clearly. Your goal is not necessarily to persuade someone to agree with you, but to encourage your reader to accept your point of view as valid. Here are some possible argumentative topics to try. ( Here are 100 more compelling argumentative essay topics. )

• The most important challenge our country is currently facing is … (e.g., immigration, gun control, economy)
• The government should provide free internet access for every citizen.
• All drugs should be legalized, regulated, and taxed.
• Vaping is less harmful than smoking tobacco.
• The best country in the world is …
• Parents should be punished for their minor children’s crimes.
• Should all students have the ability to attend college for free?
• Should physical education be part of the standard high school curriculum?

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• Schools should require recommended vaccines for all students, with very limited exceptions.
• Is it acceptable to use animals for experiments and research?
• Does social media do more harm than good?
• Capital punishment does/does not deter crime.
• What one class should all high schools students be required to take and pass in order to graduate?
• Do we really learn anything from history, or does it just repeat itself over and over?
• Are men and women treated equally?

Cause-and-Effect Essay Topics for High School

A cause-and-effect essay is a type of argumentative essay. Your goal is to show how one specific thing directly influences another specific thing. You’ll likely need to do some research to make your point. Here are some ideas for cause-and-effect essays. ( Get a big list of 100 cause-and-effect essay topics here. )

• Humans are causing accelerated climate change.
• Fast-food restaurants have made human health worse over the decades.
• What caused World War II? (Choose any conflict for this one.)
• Describe the effects social media has on young adults.

• How does playing sports affect people?
• What are the effects of loving to read?
• Being an only/oldest/youngest/middle child makes you …
• What effect does violence in movies or video games have on kids?
• Traveling to new places opens people’s minds to new ideas.
• Racism is caused by …

Compare-Contrast Essay Topics for High School

As the name indicates, in compare-and-contrast essays, writers show the similarities and differences between two things. They combine descriptive writing with analysis, making connections and showing dissimilarities. The following ideas work well for compare-contrast essays. ( Find 80+ compare-contrast essay topics for all ages here. )

• Public and private schools
• Capitalism vs. communism
• Monarchy or democracy
• Dogs vs. cats as pets

• Paper books or e-books
• Two political candidates in a current race
• Going to college vs. starting work full-time
• Working your way through college as you go or taking out student loans
• iPhone or Android
• Instagram vs. Twitter (or choose any other two social media platforms)

Descriptive Essay Topics for High School

Bring on the adjectives! Descriptive writing is all about creating a rich picture for the reader. Take readers on a journey to far-off places, help them understand an experience, or introduce them to a new person. Remember: Show, don’t tell. These topics make excellent descriptive essays.

• Who is the funniest person you know?
• What is your happiest memory?
• Tell about the most inspirational person in your life.
• Write about your favorite place.
• When you were little, what was your favorite thing to do?
• Choose a piece of art or music and explain how it makes you feel.
• What is your earliest memory?

• What’s the best/worst vacation you’ve ever taken?
• Describe your favorite pet.
• What is the most important item in the world to you?
• Give a tour of your bedroom (or another favorite room in your home).
• Describe yourself to someone who has never met you.
• Lay out your perfect day from start to finish.
• Explain what it’s like to move to a new town or start a new school.
• Tell what it would be like to live on the moon.

Expository and Informative Essay Topics for High School

Expository essays set out clear explanations of a particular topic. You might be defining a word or phrase or explaining how something works. Expository or informative essays are based on facts, and while you might explore different points of view, you won’t necessarily say which one is “better” or “right.” Remember: Expository essays educate the reader. Here are some expository and informative essay topics to explore. ( See 70+ expository and informative essay topics here. )

• What makes a good leader?
• Explain why a given school subject (math, history, science, etc.) is important for students to learn.
• What is the “glass ceiling” and how does it affect society?
• Describe how the internet changed the world.
• What does it mean to be a good teacher?

• Explain how we could colonize the moon or another planet.
• Discuss why mental health is just as important as physical health.
• Describe a healthy lifestyle for a teenager.
• Choose an American president and explain how their time in office affected the country.
• What does “financial responsibility” mean?

Humorous Essay Topics for High School

Humorous essays can take on any form, like narrative, persuasive, or expository. You might employ sarcasm or satire, or simply tell a story about a funny person or event. Even though these essay topics are lighthearted, they still take some skill to tackle well. Give these ideas a try.

• What would happen if cats (or any other animal) ruled the world?
• What do newborn babies wish their parents knew?
• Explain the best ways to be annoying on social media.
• Invent a wacky new sport, explain the rules, and describe a game or match.

• Imagine a discussion between two historic figures from very different times, like Cleopatra and Queen Elizabeth I.
• Retell a familiar story in tweets or other social media posts.
• Describe present-day Earth from an alien’s point of view.
• Choose a fictional character and explain why they should be the next president.
• Describe a day when kids are in charge of everything, at school and at home.

Literary essays analyze a piece of writing, like a book or a play. In high school, students usually write literary essays about the works they study in class. These literary essay topic ideas focus on books students often read in high school, but many of them can be tweaked to fit other works as well.

• Discuss the portrayal of women in Shakespeare’s Othello .
• Explore the symbolism used in The Scarlet Letter .
• Explain the importance of dreams in Of Mice and Men .
• Compare and contrast the romantic relationships in Pride and Prejudice .

• Dissect the allegory of Animal Farm and its relation to contemporary events.
• Interpret the author’s take on society and class structure in The Great Gatsby .
• Explore the relationship between Hamlet and Ophelia.
• Discuss whether Shakespeare’s portrayal of young love in Romeo and Juliet is accurate.
• Explain the imagery used in Beowulf .

Narrative and Personal Essay Topics for High School

Think of a narrative essay like telling a story. Use some of the same techniques that you would for a descriptive essay, but be sure you have a beginning, middle, and end. A narrative essay doesn’t necessarily need to be personal, but they often are. Take inspiration from these narrative and personal essay topics.

• Describe a performance or sporting event you took part in.
• Explain the process of cooking and eating your favorite meal.
• Write about meeting your best friend for the first time and how your relationship developed.
• Tell about learning to ride a bike or drive a car.
• Describe a time in your life when you’ve been scared.

• Share the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you.
• Tell about a time when you overcame a big challenge.
• Tell the story of how you learned an important life lesson.
• Describe a time when you or someone you know experienced prejudice or oppression.
• Explain a family tradition, how it developed, and its importance today.
• What is your favorite holiday? How does your family celebrate it?
• Retell a familiar story from the point of view of a different character.
• Describe a time when you had to make a difficult decision.
• Tell about your proudest moment.

Persuasive Essay Topics for High School

Persuasive essays are similar to argumentative , but they rely less on facts and more on emotion to sway the reader. It’s important to know your audience, so you can anticipate any counterarguments they might make and try to overcome them. Try these topics to persuade someone to come around to your point of view. ( Discover 60 more intriguing persuasive essay topics here. )

• Do you think homework should be required, optional, or not given at all?
• Everyone should be vegetarian or vegan.
• What animal makes the best pet?
• Visit an animal shelter, choose an animal that needs a home, and write an essay persuading someone to adopt that animal.
• Who is the world’s best athlete, present or past?
• Should little kids be allowed to play competitive sports?
• Are professional athletes/musicians/actors overpaid?
• The best music genre is …

• Is democracy the best form of government?
• Is capitalism the best form of economy?
• Students should/should not be able to use their phones during the school day.
• Should schools have dress codes?
• If I could change one school rule, it would be …
• Is year-round school a good idea?

A research essay is a classic high school assignment. These papers require deep research into primary source documents, with lots of supporting facts and evidence that’s properly cited. Research essays can be in any of the styles shown above. Here are some possible topics, across a variety of subjects.

• Which country’s style of government is best for the people who live there?
• Choose a country and analyze its development from founding to present day.
• Describe the causes and effects of a specific war.
• Formulate an ideal economic plan for our country.
• What scientific discovery has had the biggest impact on life today?

• Analyze the way mental health is viewed and treated in this country.
• Explore the ways systemic racism impacts people in all walks of life.
• Defend the importance of teaching music and the arts in public schools.
• Choose one animal from the endangered species list, and propose a realistic plan to protect it.

What are some of your favorite essay topics for high school? Come share your prompts on the WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook .

Plus, check out the ultimate guide to student writing contests .

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Home of the Brave Novel Unit

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Description

SuperSummary’s Novel Unit for Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate delivers comprehensive, text-specific, and classroom-ready lesson plans conveniently divided into Before, During, and After Reading sections.

Follow our suggested timeline or choose from our rich array of prompts, quizzes, activities, paired resources, and essay topics. Also featured in this cohesive teaching unit are two graphic organizer worksheets for processing and analyzing the text. 

Note : The Unit is provided as a Word document for convenient reformatting and rearranging.

Interested in study guide materials on this title? We also offer a bundled Home of the Brave Novel Unit & Literature Guide .

This teaching unit for Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate features the following sections and components:

Before Reading

• Context Questions and/or Activities  
• Personal Response Prompt 

During Reading

• Reading Check and Short Answer Response questions with Answer Key
• 6 recommended Texts for Pairing and Other Student/Teacher Resources
• 2 robust, ready-to-use Text Processing and Important Quotes Worksheets (Found at bottom of unit)

After Reading

• Discussion/Analysis Prompt
• In-depth and Engaging Activity 
• 6 Differentiated Essay Questions
• Cumulative Exam with 10 Multiple Choice and 2 Long Answer Questions with Answer Key

✏️ How to use:

As either a supplemental teacher material or as a primary basis for an entire unit on a literary work, this resource equips teachers to:

→  Draw students in with an enriched sense of pre-reading context.

→  Utilize thought-provoking warm-up prompts and in-class analysis opportunities involving free-writing or discussion. 

→  Ensure deeper understanding and true enjoyment of the literature with activities that engage all learning types.

→ Stretch students’ critical thinking and writing skills with strategic and probing essay topics that offer an entry point for every reading level.

→ Assess their knowledge with pertinent during-reading quizzes, a post-reading prompt, and a final exam.

→ Provide students with a structured framework in which to build analytical skills with the optional character, theme, and quote worksheets.

To support lesson-planning, connections to the work’s primary themes are noted in bold throughout this resource .

Questions & Answers

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