Tuck Everlasting

Consider the novel’s theme The Difference Between Immorality and a Life Well-Lived. Use these questions to explore the theme.

• How do the characters in the novel feel about immortality?
• How does Winnie’s understanding of living an immortal life change?
• What are the potential consequences of immortality that are explored in the novel?
• Why did Winnie grant immortality to the toad, but not herself?
• Did Winnie make the correct decision? Do you think it was a difficult one?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may find it beneficial to reflect on key moments and conversations in the novel that explore immortality because the questions address a topic that is woven throughout the text. Consider allowing students to work in small groups or with partners to collect a list of scenes or conversations they can use to describe characters’ attitudes toward immortality. This list can be used to assist students in assessing portions of the text to answer the questions.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who benefit from assistance with analysis may find it helpful if their discussion topic is narrowed to the characters’ attitudes toward immortality. Consider allowing students to discuss changes that occur in the characters based on the characters they interact with and their experiences. For students who struggle with analyzing longer texts, it could be helpful to scaffold this assignment by having some examples of scenes ready for them to review (such as in a graphic organizer) where they can analyze those pre-selected scenes.