8th Grade: House Of The Scorpion by Nancy Farmer Students should keep these questions in mind as they read the novel. We will use these as the focus of our discussions and Socratic Seminars! For information on cloning go to: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/tech/cloning/clonezone/
Discussion Questions for House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer
1. Describe the setting of the novel. What is going on in the world while ethe events of the story take place?
2. Describe the farm.
3. How does Matt learn that his life is not like that of all other children?
4. What is ironic when the doctor says “El Patron hasn’t asked about the beast in years”?
5. What rules does Matt have to follow? How do the rules change over the course of the novel?
6. How do others treat Matt? Why?
7. There is a shift in power and knowledge. When and how does the leadership over Matt seem to change hands? Describe Matt’s reaction to this shift.
8. Analyze the importance of the term “eejit.”
9. Describe the conflicting societies. Which one gains supremacy? Why? What does the emergence of these different societies reflect about Utopia and the ideals of the idea?
10. Describe each of the following characters: Matt, Rosa, Maria, El Patron, Celia, and Tam Lin. How does each change or fail to change? What type of person does each character represent?
11. Think of the themes that Farmer develops in the novel. What are her attitudes toward human nature, modern societ, and human destiny? Do you think Farmer is a pessimist or an optimist about the future of humanity? Explain, using specific evidence to support your response.
12. How do technology and the desire to prolong life lead to savagery and the decline of the value of human life?
13. Eduardo holds power over much of Matt’s life. Why is the decision made not to “blunt” Matt’s intelligence? Eduardo wonders if he has done Matt a favor and if he will thank him later for it. What is the purpose of blunting the intelligence of the other clones?
14. Because of how society thinks of clones, Matt is not treated as a human by most people. What do you think of the society? Is a clone created in a lab and born from a cow still a human being? Or is he something different?
15. With which character do you most identify?
16. Think about how others treat Matt. How is one of his experiences similar to something that you have experienced or witnessed? Write an explanation of what happened and why you think it happened, considering multiple points of view.
17. Create a plan of action that, if enacted, might have resulted in a different ending to the novel.