A Monster Calls Discussion Guide Part
PART 1: A Monster Calls Discussion Guide 1-11
1. The epigraph at the beginning of the book reads "You're only young once, they say, but doesn't it go on for a long time? More years than you can bear." Explain how this quote is relevant to Conor's life in the first 51 pages of the novel. What are some of the unbearable things he is experiencing?
His father leaving, nightmares, sick mom
2. Why don't you think Conor is afraid of the monster?
"Shout all you want," he says, "I've seen worse" Conor saying that shows he is brave and the monster in his nightmares are worse
3. Why do you think the monster arrives in the form of a yew tree? What might the significance of this be?
They have healing powers, as they're used to make the chemo drug Conor's mom's doctors prescribe. And the monster is there to help heal Conor that’s why it is in tree form.
4. Describe Conor's relationship with his grandmother. What makes her different from most grandmothers, in Conor's eyes? Why don't they get along?
Seen through Conor's eyes, Grandma's just one more person who doesn't really listen to or understand him. She's got good intentions, but he feels kind of invisible to her, too.
5. The monster says of himself: "I am Herne the Hunter! I am Cernunnos! I am the eternal Green Man!" Why does the monster give this answer when asked who he is?
The monster doesn’t want to be labled
1. The epigraph at the beginning of the book reads "You're only young once, they say, but doesn't it go on for a long time? More years than you can bear." Explain how this quote is relevant to Conor's life in the first 51 pages of the novel. What are some of the unbearable things he is experiencing?
His father leaving, nightmares, sick mom
2. Why don't you think Conor is afraid of the monster?
"Shout all you want," he says, "I've seen worse" Conor saying that shows he is brave and the monster in his nightmares are worse
3. Why do you think the monster arrives in the form of a yew tree? What might the significance of this be?
They have healing powers, as they're used to make the chemo drug Conor's mom's doctors prescribe. And the monster is there to help heal Conor that’s why it is in tree form.
4. Describe Conor's relationship with his grandmother. What makes her different from most grandmothers, in Conor's eyes? Why don't they get along?
Seen through Conor's eyes, Grandma's just one more person who doesn't really listen to or understand him. She's got good intentions, but he feels kind of invisible to her, too.
5. The monster says of himself: "I am Herne the Hunter! I am Cernunnos! I am the eternal Green Man!" Why does the monster give this answer when asked who he is?
The monster doesn’t want to be labled