Student: _____________ Homeroom: _______ Date: ______________
“Borders”
by Thomas King
Discussion Questions:
1. Identify the relationship between the mother’s actions at the border, and why she
spent time telling the narrator about their heritage (Coyote)?
2. Why was the mom so adamant about her citizenship declaration? Would she react
the same way if she were trying to cross the border on her own? Defend your
answer.
3. What were all the “borders” in the story? Consider symbolism as well as what
“borders” are meant to do.
4. How does the mother compare to the narrator in “The Road Not Taken?”
5. Who is more stubborn: the mother or the border guard? Or, is “stubborn” the right
word, and are they equally motivated? Defend your answer.
6. What is one question you’d like the border guard to answer?
7. What biographical information can you find about Thomas King?
Analysis: A more in-depth discussion

Analyze discrimination: with your peers, determine to what extent you
believe the mother was discriminated against by the border guards. Is there a
“standard” for discrimination? That is, is there a point at which rules or norms
become discrimination? Be prepared to discuss your group’s ideas with
others. **Group respect will be important in this discussion as it’s an issue—
thus, no simple answers!

Analyze conflict: conflict is essential to a short story! A conflict situation
tests a character to reveal his/her personal strengths and weaknesses. Your
task: identify the different conflicts the mother is engaged in and analyze what
strengths or weaknesses in personality she reveals about herself through her
reaction to these conflicts. A response using a chart, list, or paragraph is fine.

Analyze character: Choose another character or real-life person who has
encountered a conflict similar to the mother in “Borders” (that is, the person
had to “take the road less traveled by”). What was the conflict, and what
strengths and/or weaknesses of the character were revealed by the character’s
response to the conflict?

Analyze symbolism: To what extent does the symbol of a border in “Borders”
enhance the communication and overall message of the story?
Consider how you might show your understanding of one or more of the above analysis
questions for your teacher and perhaps class.