The Transall Saga

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.

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 responses.

1. The Coco-Cola bottle Mark receives from Barow is a surprising gift that leads him to reassess his understanding of Transall.

•  What does the Coca-Cola bottle suggest about where Mark is? (topic sentence)
• What is symbolic about the bottle being a mysterious, treasured item among the Tsook?
• In your concluding sentence(s), refer to the events described by Pet and the Merkon that transformed Earth into Transall.

2. Mark resolves to remain on Transall, rather than continuing to search for the tube of blue light.

• What does Mark’s engagement to Megaan symbolize? (topic sentence)
• Describe Mark’s previous preoccupation with understanding the nature of Transall, and attempting to return to his own time.
• In your concluding sentence(s), comment on Mark’s unexpected (and ironic) discovery of the tube of blue light at the conclusion of the novel.

3. Explore the corrupted character of the Merkon.

• How does the Merkon epitomize corrupted power? (topic sentence)
• Describe the Merkon’s life on Earth, compared to the life he creates on Transall.
• In your concluding sentence(s), describe the Merkon’s attempted assassinations of Mark and why he does so.

Full Essay Assignments

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

1. Mark demonstrates heroism throughout The Transall Saga. How does Mark overcome the initial challenges (finding food, water, and shelter) of arriving on Transall? How does Mark prove his principles to other characters, especially the arrow people and the Tsook?

2. Mark must continually establish whether characters are friends or foes. Which characters subvert his expectations, and how so?

3. Transall is a version of Earth that has been reduced to a wild, lawless place due to humankind’s actions years ago. Describe 2-3 of Transall’s dangers, whether they be animal or human. How does the novel serve as a cautionary tale in regard to global health and community?