Stone Fox

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 novel’s title, Stone Fox, refers to the Indigenous man who helps Little Willy.

• Why might the author have chosen to name the novel after Stone Fox? (topic sentence)
• Explain why you believe the author might have chosen to name the novel after Stone Fox, then provide examples of why Stone Fox might be an appropriate name.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether you believe the book was appropriately named or if the author should have chosen a different name for his book.

2. Searchlight has an intimate connection with Little Willy.

• How is Willy’s connection with Searchlight shown in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Describe how their connection is shown physically, emotionally, and mentally.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why Little Willy’s connection to Searchlight is an important element in what he can achieve in the novel.

3. The novel opens with Grandfather in bed, unable to speak or move.

• What is Grandfather’s role in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Describe Grandfather’s role in the novel, how his illness is important to Little Willy’s story, and how the audience might perceive him.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain what you believe Grandfather may have been thinking or feeling about Little Willy when he became too sick to move.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. One of the themes in this novel is Sacrifice as Declarations of Devotion. Choose one character and write an essay that examines how that character sacrifices in the name of love or devotion. Use at least three text examples to support your claims.

2. Grandfather and Stone Fox are silent characters, but one is mute, and one is silent. Write a compare and contrast essay that examines the reasons for each man’s silence. Consider the following questions in your essay: Who is silent? Who is mute? What is the difference? How is their silence different? How is it the same?

3. Examine the novel’s depiction of assistance based on the theme of Society’s Failure to Care for People in Need. Consider the following questions in your response: Who helps Willy, and who does not? What kind of assistance does Willy receive? What kind of assistance does he not receive? What message does the author send to readers about people in need?