A Week in the Woods

Mark decides in advance that he doesn’t want to become involved with anything or anyone at Hardy Elementary, but when Mr. Maxwell writes Mark off because of it, Mark reverses his steps and strives to earn his teacher’s respect. What does Mark’s decision to open up to the possibility of fitting in at Hardy Elementary indicate about his character?

Why does Mark choose to sleep in the barn alone? What does he learn from the experience about himself, about the outdoors, and about Confronting and Overcoming Fears? How does the experience prepare him for his week in the woods?

How does the New Hampshire Wilderness serve as an adversary for Mark, and later in the story, for Mr. Maxwell? What does this unexpected time in the wilderness teach both Mark and Mr. Maxwell about themselves and each other?

Analyze Clements’s descriptions of the New Hampshire wilderness. Use at least three examples from the text to explain how the author uses personification to create a sense that the wilderness is itself a character—almost a living person in its own right.

Mark has several male role models in his life, including his father, Leon, and Mr. Maxwell, who each aid him in his journey of Redefining Manhood and developing his own sense of maturity. Compare and contrast Mark’s relationships with each of these three characters, using key examples from the text.

The issue of wealth arises several times throughout the novel in distinctly different contexts. Analyze the philosophies of at least three different characters to further discuss the author’s treatment of wealth.

Throughout the novel, both Mr. Maxwell and Mark are dynamic characters who undergo great change. Identify at least three ways in which each character changes by the end of the novel. Use examples from the text to prove your point.

What inner qualities allow Mark to survive the night on the mountainside, and to help Mr. Maxwell survive it, as well?