Slay

Consider Morris’s use of gaming as a motif for the theme of Navigating Physical and Digital Spaces Impacted by Racism and Exclusion. How do games perpetuate the racism and exclusion found in the real world? How does SLAY represent a response to the impact of racism on physical and virtual spaces? Cite specific moments from the text to support your argument.

How is Kiera shaped by the Challenges of Balancing Multiple Identities? What challenges does she face as she tries to exist as both Kiera and Emerald? Ultimately, how does she heal the division between her identities?

How does hair serve as a motif for the theme of Empowerment and Pride in Black Culture and Heritage? Consider the characters’ experiences with hair in the real world as well as the hairstyles they design for themselves in SLAY in crafting your argument.

Why do some of the novel’s characters accuse Kiera’s game of being racist, and how does the author challenge the claim that it’s unethical for marginalized people to create spaces exclusively for themselves? How do the novel’s resolution and Kiera’s partnership with Maurice Belrose inform this debate?

Besides the protagonist, which characters struggle with Balancing Multiple Identities? Select two supporting characters who play SLAY and explore their various identities as well as the reasons why their identities are divided. How does the online community of the game help them authentically share aspects of themselves that they do not express in the physical world?

In what ways does Morris use the color green to represent the protagonist? Where does this symbolic color appear throughout the story, and how does it connect to the concepts of creativity and wonder?

The revelation that Malcolm is Dred is one of the story’s biggest twists. How does this revelation impact the novel’s plot, theme of Racism and Exclusion, and overall meaning?

How do Kiera’s experiences in mainstream games like the fictional Legacy of Planets reflect the realities people of color face in online gaming communities? In particular, what does research indicate about young Black gamers’ experiences?