A Court of Thorns and Roses

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

ACTIVITY 1: “A One Pager of Thorns and Roses”

In this activity, students will plan and execute a one-page project demonstrating their understanding of the main themes, motifs, and characters in A Court of Thorns and Roses.

After reading A Court of Thorns and Roses, you will develop a “One-Pager” depicting a written and visual understanding of the novel. Complete the following steps as you begin:

• Include the original title and a subtitle of your creation that reflects the novel’s contents or the author’s message.
• Find one quote to support each one of the novel’s themes (Sacrifice and Moral Compromise as the Duty of Love, Consent and Power Dynamics in Sexual Intimacy, and Hidden Truths and Subverted Expectations).
• Explain the meaning of each quote and how it correlates to the theme.
• Choose at least three images that demonstrate the significance of the novel’s motifs (“flowers” and “painting”).
• Choose at least two main characters to depict visually.
• Analyze and critique each chosen character’s role.
• Fill the entire page with these images, quotes, and explanations.

Once your project is complete, you will participate in a gallery walk in which students share their work, followed by an exit ticket regarding your thoughts on the analyses of your peers.

Teaching Suggestion: It may help to show examples to students before asking them to create their final product, especially if they have not created a “one-pager” before. Consider projecting digital or showing physical examples with the whole class, at which point you could ask students to share what they notice about the size, content, or structure of the medium.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who struggle with organization, consider creating a template. For example, you might create a grid on a sheet of paper for them to develop; this may help them focus on content rather than spending additional time on structure. These same students may benefit from making a digital “one-pager” instead of a physical product.

Paired Text Extension: “The Lady or the Tiger” by Frank R. Stockton

First, read “The Lady or the Tiger” by Frank R. Stockton, then prepare individual answers to the questions below:

• What do A Court of Thorns and Roses and “The Lady or the Tiger” have in common?
• Compare and contrast the characters in both stories:
• The princess versus Feyre
• The young man versus Tamlin
• The “barbaric” King versus Amarantha
• To what extent do these characters share similar beliefs and/or actions?
• How do these characters relate to one or more themes from the novel?
• Do you believe the lady or the tiger came out of the opened the door? Why? Explain and provide textual evidence to support your reasoning.

Once you have compiled your answers, you will participate in a Socratic seminar. In this student-led discussion, you will discuss these questions to deepen your understanding of the characters, plot, themes, and other literary elements. Remember that during a seminar, it is important to listen carefully to and make eye contact with your peers. Try to focus on understanding and responding to the thoughts of others, rather than commenting solely with your opinion.

Teaching Suggestion: If you are new to instructing a Socratic seminar, consider utilizing this Edutopia resource to help familiarize yourself with student-led academic conversations. Most Socratic seminars do not involve direct participation from the teacher, but it may be beneficial to pause the conversation or redirect students as necessary, depending on the quality of student engagement and the level of respect being observed.

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. The reoccurring motifs in the novel are “flowers” and “painting” as Feyre looks upon the experiences in her life and imagines artistic renderings and titles.

• To what extent do these motifs accentuate Feyre’s perceptions of the human versus fae worlds? (topic sentence)
• Identify at least three instances in which the above motifs occur in the novel and analyze their meaning in conjunction with the purpose of each scene. Explain your evidence carefully, and include citations.
• In your concluding sentence(s), evaluate the effectiveness of Maas’s chosen symbols on the overall impact of the narrative’s themes or purpose.

2. Throughout the novel, there are various instances of consensual sexual intimacy contrasted with scenes that are more coercive.  

• What impact on the reader does Maas create when including contrasting instances of positive and negative intimacy? (topic sentence)
• Compare and contrast at least four instances (two positive, two negative) of sexual intimacy with citations from the novel. For each piece of evidence, evaluate its effectiveness in enhancing the theme, Consent and Power Dynamics in Sexual Intimacy.
• In your concluding sentence(s), justify Maas’s choice to include both sides (positive and negative) of sexual intimacy and discuss the overall significance of her choices.

3. For multiple characters in the novel, love is a driving motivator for actions of both sacrifice and control.

• Which of the following is most prominent and impactful throughout the narrative: love motivating sacrifice or control? (topic sentence)
• Argue for sacrifice or control. Include at least three pieces of evidence with citations that support your claim and justify your selections in relation to the theme, Sacrifice and Moral Compromise as the Duty of Love.
• In your concluding sentence(s), reflect on the instances of romantic, friend, and familial love and evaluate its efficacy in supporting your argument.

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. Consider the actions of either the antagonist, Amarantha, or the protagonist, Feyre. After identifying three pieces of evidence that best demonstrate the character’s background, choices, and core values, analyze the character’s reasoning and evaluate how she justifies her actions. Utilize direct and paraphrased quotes with citations to strengthen your claim.

2. Maas utilizes the classic French fairytale “Beauty and the Beast” as a basis for her narrative beats while employing a fantasy genre. Analyze a minimum of three instances that compare the novel to this fairytale, and include quotes or paraphrases with chapter and page citations. For each piece of evidence, critique its impact on at least one of the narrative’s overarching themes. In your conclusion, synthesize the chosen evidence, and argue how the altered genre positively or negatively impacts the overall narrative. Include specific references to the text and cite your evidence.

3. Choose two of the novel’s overarching themes: Sacrifice and Moral Compromise as the Duty of Love, Consent and Power Dynamics in Sexual Intimacy, and/or Hidden Truths and Subverted Expectations. In a well-structured and developed essay, identify at least three key instances that demonstrate your chosen themes. Examine how they support (or subvert) each other, and the overall significance of the message being conveyed. Include citations for all quoted and paraphrased material.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following narrative beats best demonstrates the theme of Consent and Power Dynamics in Sexual Intimacy?

A) Tamlin sending Feyre home when she is no longer safe in the Spring Court

B) Tamlin confronting Feyre during Calanmai (the Great Rite)

C) Rhysand meeting Feyre and asking for her name

D) Nesta attacking Feyre for her trysts with Isaac

2. How does Feyre’s illiteracy most negatively affect her life?

A) She is unable to write letters to her family.

B) She is unable to read the books in the library.

C) She is unable to determine the answer to the second task.

D) She is unable to provide the Suriel with the knowledge it desires.

3. What is the significance of Rhysand killing the Summer Court’s fae?

A) It demonstrates his cruelty to lesser fae.

B) It demonstrates his unwavering loyalty to Amarantha.

C) It demonstrates the danger Feyre is in.

D) It demonstrates that Rhysand has unknown, secretive motives.

4. Feyre often expresses the need to take care of her family. In what way is this best demonstrated?

A) She agonizes over the promise she made to her mother before her mother died.

B) She kills the fae wolf to protect her family from its attack.

C) She gives coins to Nesta and Elain to purchase oddities at the market.

D) She returns to Prythian to save Tamlin.

5. Despite the lore she was told as a child, Feyre comes to realize that much of what she thought she knew about the fae was untrue. Which of the following themes does this best match?

A) Sacrifice and Moral Compromise as the Duty of Love

B) Consent and Power Dynamics in Sexual Intimacy

C) Hidden Truths and Subverted Expectations

D) Cultural Differences of Fae and Humans

6. Which of the following instances best portrays the significance of the “flower” motif?

A) Tamlin gives Feyre roses, telling her he loves her.

B) Tamlin gives Feyre roses as an apology for Calanmai.

C) Feyre paints flowers in her family’s cottage.

D) Feyre and Tamlin become intimate in a glen.

7. What best foreshadows the answer to Amarantha’s riddle?

A) Lucien saving Feyre from the naga

B) Feyre being fooled by the puca to seek her father

C) Amarantha’s anger at not receiving Tamlin’s affections

D) Nesta telling Feyre to go to Prythian and not return

8. Which of the following shows the greatest contrast between Elain and Nesta?

A) Elain is frugal, while Nesta is careless and prefers luxury.

B) Elain is kind-hearted, while Nesta is cold and calculating.

C) Elain earns Feyre’s affections, while Feyre detests Nesta.

D) Elain is sympathetic to the fae, while Nesta remains emotionally unmoved.

9. Which plot point best demonstrates the change in Feyre’s character?

A) Feyre detests hunting and chooses to paint in the gallery.

B) Feyre dies at the hand of Amarantha.

C) Feyre is able to see past the glamour and view the fae as they truly are.

D) Feyre returns to Prythian to fight Amarantha Under the Mountain for Tamlin.

10. Why does Lucian initially detest Feyre, despite her possible role in removing their curse?

A) Feyre’s personality clashes with Tamlin’s.

B) Feyre murdered their fae friend in the forest.

C) Feyre distrusts Lucian for being a fae.

D) Feyre may steal Tamlin away from the Spring Court.

11. When Tamlin and Feyre become intimate Under the Mountain, how does Rhysand respond?

A) He allows them to be captured and separated.

B) He takes control of Tamlin’s mind as punishment.

C) He blames himself for tempting Tamlin with Feyre.

D) He hides their indiscretion by smearing Feyre’s paint and kissing her.

12. Who tells Feyre about the Spring Court curse and gives her directions to Under the Mountain?

A) Alis

B) Rhysand

C) Lucian

D) Attor

13. In Chapter 43, Feyre says, “In saving Tamlin, I was to damn myself” (392). Which statement best represents the meaning of this quote?

A) She has to hide her love until it is too late.

B) She consents to sexual intimacy with Rhysand in order to save Tamlin.

C) She must kill two innocent fae to save Tamlin.

D) She chooses to sacrifice her life to Amarantha.

14. What can be inferred about Lucien healing Feyre Under the Mountain?

A) He values loyalty over his own safety.

B) He values Tamlin’s life over his family.

C) He values the sanctity of a bargain over his life.

D) He values the survival of the Spring Court over his personal moral code.

15. Which quote best demonstrates the theme of Hidden Truths and Subverted Expectations?

A) “She had looked at that cottage with hope; I had looked at it with nothing but hatred. And I knew which one of us had been stronger.” (Chapter 292)

B) “The few stories I’d heard had been wrong—or five hundred years of separation had muddled them. Yes, I was still prey, still born weak and useless compared to them, but this place was…peaceful. Calm.” (Chapter 6)

C) “‘Though you have a heart of stone, Tamlin,’ it said, and Tamlin went rigid, ‘you certainly keep a host of fear inside it.’” (Chapter 19)

D) “Do not forget what I told you—stay with the High Lord, and live to see everything righted” (Chapter 14).

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. How does Feyre’s journey symbolize personal growth and the exploration of complex moral choices in the Duty of Love?

2. In what ways is the theme of Power Dynamics demonstrated throughout the novel, both within and outside the parameters of Sexual Intimacy?