Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. In many Western cultures, talking about death is largely considered taboo. What is it about death that makes it a taboo subject? Why does society have taboos in general, and what purpose do they serve in a culture?

Teaching Suggestion: While death, illness, and mortality are at the center of A Monster Calls, the characters in the novel—particularly Conor—struggle to confront these topics head-on. This prompt will get students thinking about The Necessity of Confronting Difficult Truths, particularly those truths around The Power of Guilt and Shame. The taboo nature of death also connects to the theme of The Cyclical Nature of Isolation. After responding to the Short Answer prompt, it may be beneficial to discuss these themes and how they might manifest in the novel.

• “The Taboo of Death” from Psychology Today examines the history of the taboo surrounding death.
• This article from TIME Magazine explains why grief, despite being universal, is a deeply lonely experience.

2. Every culture around the world has unique rituals around death.