Name______________________________
Date___________
Period_________
The Road
Cormac McCarthy
An inventory of important quotes.
Literature Circles
Directions: I have asked several questions of you to respond to in the first hundred pages of the
book. Each question was intended to prepare you for one of the essays that will follow. Over
the next few hundred pages you will take turns looking for important quotes and their
contribution to a big idea. This work is the prep work for your essay. These quotes, along with
their explanations, will be the foundation of a successful essay.
Role one:
Prompt One:
Relationships. Look for quotes that you think would be valuable when responding to the idea of
the relationship between a father and son. Write down those quotes along with their page
numbers. Then across from those quotes write down your explanation of the quote-which should
be a connection to the theme.
Role two
Prompt Two:
Life with or without Meaning. Look for quotes that you think would be valuable when
responding to the idea of a meaningful life-or a life without meaning. Write down those quotes
along with their page numbers. Then across from those quotes write down your explanation of
the quote-which should be a connection to the theme.
Role three
Prompt Three:
Humanity. Look for quotes that define a human being-good or bad. This essay prompt is asking
the reader to analyze what it means to be human within the context of the novel and in our own
lives. You should identify scenes and quotes that highlight what it means to be human. Write
down those quotes along with their page numbers. Then across from those quotes write down
your explanation of the quote-which should be a connection to the theme.
Role four
Prompt Four:
Moral Code. This prompt is asking for the importance of having morals and standards. And,
whether or not those morals should be upheld within the context of The Road. You should look
for quotes that identify specifics of their code along with parts from the novel that the boy and
dad live up to the code, or fall short of the code. Write down those quotes along with their page
numbers. Then across from those quotes write down your explanation of the quote-which should
be a connection to the theme.
Role five
Prompt five:
Literary Analyst (CRITIC): Your role is to help your group break apart important passages from your
assigned text in order to understand their effect, purpose, and significance. Pre-meeting: Carefully read
your assigned text. As you read, keep track of passages that stand out as interesting, confusing,
beautiful, or troubling. After reading, select three significant passages and analyze their significance.
Consider how the author uses language to create an effect: detail (included or excluded), imagery (5
senses), diction (definition and connotation), figurative language (metaphor, simile, personification),
syntax (arrangement of words), tone (speaker’s attitude), mood (reader’s reaction). During discussion:
When called on by the Discussion Director, provide page numbers and ask your group to read along as
your read your selected passages aloud. Lead a brief discussion of each passage, sharing your analysis
and asking for interpretations from other group members.
Role one:
Prompt One:
Relationships. Look for quotes that you think would be valuable when responding to the idea of
the relationship between a father and son. Write down those quotes along with their page
numbers. Then across from those quotes write down your explanation of the quote-which should
be a connection to the theme.
Quote w/ pg number
Explanation
Role two
Prompt Two:
Life with or without Meaning. Look for quotes that you think would be valuable when
responding to the idea of a meaningful life-or a life without meaning. Write down those quotes
along with their page numbers. Then across from those quotes write down your explanation of
the quote-which should be a connection to the theme.
Quote w/ pg number
Explanation
Role three
Prompt Three:
Humanity. Look for quotes that define a human being-good or bad. This essay prompt is asking
the reader to analyze what it means to be human within the context of the novel and in our own
lives. You should identify scenes and quotes that highlight what it means to be human. Write
down those quotes along with their page numbers. Then across from those quotes write down
your explanation of the quote-which should be a connection to the theme.
Quote w/ pg number
Explanation
Role four
Prompt Four:
Moral Code. This prompt is asking for the importance of having morals and standards. And,
whether or not those morals should be upheld within the context of The Road. You should look
for quotes that identify specifics of their code along with parts from the novel that the boy and
dad live up to the code, or fall short of the code. Write down those quotes along with their page
numbers. Then across from those quotes write down your explanation of the quote-which should
be a connection to the theme.
Quote w/ pg number
Explanation
Role five
Prompt five:
Literary Analyst (CRITIC): Your role is to help your group break apart important passages from
your assigned text in order to understand their effect, purpose, and significance. Pre-meeting:
Carefully read your assigned text. As you read, keep track of passages that stand out as
interesting, confusing, beautiful, or troubling. After reading, select three significant passages and
analyze their significance. Consider how the author uses language to create an effect: detail
(included or excluded), imagery (5 senses), diction (definition and connotation), figurative
language (metaphor, simile, personification), syntax (arrangement of words), tone (speaker’s
attitude), mood (reader’s reaction).
Quote w/ pg number
Explanation/Reaction