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. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the play over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Doria utilizes an apathetic tone in many of her responses to difficult events in her life.

• How are her apathetic responses a form of Monotony? (topic sentence)
• Identify three examples in the text in which Doria uses an apathetic tone as a response.
• Do you think this apathy is real or rather a defense mechanism? Why or why not?

2. In many situations, Doria expresses her frustration with the progression of the outside world while she observes as an outsider.

• How does this outsider perspective fit with the theme of Doria’s Life on the Periphery? (topic sentence)
• Find three circumstances in which she views others from an outside perspective.
• Does this change for Doria? Why or why not?

3. Several of the characters in the novel try to Escape their present circumstances.

• Select one character in the novel and consider why they want to Escape (topic sentence).