Deadline

How does Ben’s family and home life contribute to his sense of self? Consider Ben’s specific relationships with his mom, dad, and brother. How does his regard for his family shift in the wake of his diagnosis, and why?

Explore the ways in which football expands Ben’s understanding of life, community, and brotherhood. How does Ben’s regard for the team and the sport evolve over the course of the season? What connections does he make through the team? What does he learn about himself via the sport?

Compare and contrast Dallas Suzuki’s and Rudy McCoy’s characters. How does each of them influence Ben? What does each of them teach Ben about trauma and fear, or honesty and empathy? In what ways might their characters be narrative devices used to propel Ben toward change?

Explore the ways in which The Confrontation with Mortality makes Ben a more empathetic person. How does his regard for others change in the wake of his diagnosis? How does he use his remaining time to advocate for others and pursue social change?

Analyze the ways in which Ben’s secret impacts his relationships with others. Why does he decide to hide the truth of his condition from his family, friends, and community? In what ways do his intentions backfire, and why? What events, experiences, and relationships help him to understand the value of transparency?

Explore Hey-Soos’s character as an archetypal guide in Ben’s life. Who is Hey-Soos and how does he interact with Ben? In what ways does Hey-Soos challenge Ben in ways that the other characters cannot? Consider the ways in which Ben and Hey-Soos’s dialogues trace Ben’s journey toward Self-Discovery and Personal Growth in the Face of Adversity.

How does The Autobiography of Malcolm X contribute to Ben’s growth and transformation? What is Ben’s relationship with the book, and why? What personal connections and academic discourses does the text inspire? How does the book both teach and empower Ben?

Explore the ways in which embracing the truth liberates Ben. Consider the ways in which Ben’s secrecy and lies have entrapped and alienated him. How does sharing his story with his loved ones grant him agency, autonomy, and peace of mind?