Crossing the Wire

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.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English language 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 response that serve as examples and support.

1. The novel is told from Victor’s perspective as he tries to find a way to cross the US-Mexico border.

• Why do you think the author chose to tell the novel from Victor’s perspective? (topic sentence)
• Explain why the author chose to tell the novel from Victor’s perspective and how it might have been different had it been told from Miguel’s, Rico’s, or Julio’s perspective.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, use examples from the novel to explain why Rico may have had a more interesting narrative than Victor.

2. Victor is often confronted with difficult moral dilemmas in the novel.

• How does Victor’s family serve as a touchstone to help him make difficult decisions? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Victor’s family’s faith, his family’s symbol, and his parents’ influence assist him in making decisions in the novel.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how Victor’s choices may have been different had his family not had a profound influence on his character.

3. Victor has always been more cautious than his friend, Rico, but it is Victor that leads the boys across the ledge in their final escape from Jarra.

• What gives Victor the courage to take the risk? (topic sentence)
• Explain why Victor is often described as cautious, provide examples from the novel when Victor is overly cautious, and then explain how he had the courage to climb the ledge.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why and how the experience on the ledge has a different effect on Rico.

Full Essay Assignments

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

1. There are many instances in the novel where people who do not intend to cross the border become involved with the undocumented immigrants. How is their involvement impactful? Describe the groups of people who have some involvement with undocumented immigrants, and then explain how and to what extent their involvement impacts US and/or Mexican society.

2. Describe Victor and Rico’s relationships with their parents. How are their families alike and different? How might the death of Victor’s father influence him to act differently when he is deciding whether to cross the border? How do Victor and Rico’s personalities contribute to the differences between their interactions with their families? Which character is more influential, and in what way(s)?

3. Miguel and Victor develop a close relationship in the short time they spend together. What are the similarities between the two? How are they both motivated by their families and the desire to have a plan to cross the border? In what ways do they both benefit from these qualities? Are there times when these qualities hinder their progress?