Medicine Walk

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 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. Eldon frequently fails to take responsibility for his actions early in the novel.

• Is Eldon the “victim of circumstance” that he claims to be? (topic sentence)
• Explain the ways in which Eldon is a victim of circumstance in the novel, then explain whether Eldon could have overcome his circumstances had he had direction in how to do so.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, describe why Eldon’s mentality may contribute to his difficulty in rising above his circumstances.

2. Stories are an important element of the novel, not only to the Indigenous people but also between Frank and Eldon.

• What function do stories play in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Explain why stories are important for change, for understanding, and for healing in the novel. Then explain how storytelling is connected to Frank and Eldon’s Indigenous culture.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain why you believe the author chose storytelling as a catalyst for reconciliation in the novel.

3. Eldon asks Frank to give him a warrior’s burial, which serves as the reason for the journey Eldon and Frank embark on.

• Does Eldon succeed in his quest to die as a warrior? (topic sentence)
• Explain Eldon’s reconnection with nature, his reconciliation with his son, and his confession of past wrongs. Then explain whether these actions are enough to grant Eldon a warrior’s burial.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain whether you believe Frank viewed his father’s burial as a warrior’s burial.

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. Nature is frequently mentioned by Frank in the novel. What is the overall importance of nature in Medicine Walk? For example, how is nature connected to Frank and Eldon’s culture? How do the characters use nature to cope and share difficult truths? Choose scenes or events that best serve as examples for your discussion.

2. Consider the ways in which the colonial impact influences the way Indigenous people live and interact.  To what extent are the Ojibway people affected as a group? By comparison, to what extent are individuals impacted as evidenced in the story? In what ways do colonial influences impact the lives of Frank and Eldon? How do Eldon and Frank have different ways of coping with the culture that was thrust upon them?

3. What are the most important elements of Bunky’s philosophy on life? What does he teach Frank regarding nature and the land? What scenarios from the novel point to Bunky’s good character and accepting nature? How might his character be connected to his philosophy on life?