The Cruel Prince

Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

“Riddles and Omens”

In this activity, students will capitalize on the use of omens and riddles in the novel to create predictions for The Wicked King, the sequel to The Cruel Prince.

Dain is told he will not become king if his son, Oak, lives. The omen proves true because though Dain tried to kill Oak, he is unaware that the boy lived and became Madoc’s son. Compose a series of three or four omens or riddles that indicate your predictions about what will happen in the novel’s sequel, The Wicked King. Consider the suggestions below as you compose your prediction.

• How will Cardan behave after Jude’s betrayal?
• Will Oak be able to take the crown from Cardan?
• What will happen to the Court of Shadows?
• How will Madoc respond to Jude’s duplicity?
• Will Cardan be a successful king?

When you share your riddles/omens with peers, describe how they relate to events that happen in The Cruel Prince and explain what they predict in The Wicked King.

Teaching Suggestion: Students may find it beneficial to review the riddles and omens in The Cruel Prince as well as explore other examples of riddles and omens in folklore. It may also be helpful for students to consider and discuss the unanswered questions that arise at the novel’s conclusion to use as inspiration.

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. Jude is portrayed as an orphan when Madoc murders her parents in the Prologue of the novel.

• To what extent does a sense of familial belonging motivate Jude’s actions in the story? (topic sentence)
• In analyzing and discussing points of support for your topic sentence, you may want to consider Jude’s interactions with particular family members and her treatment in Madoc’s household.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, evaluate Jude’s feelings on familial belonging at the story’s resolution compared to the Prologue and provide a brief rationale for your thoughts.

2. Each of the characters responds to death and violence in varying ways, but there are distinct differences between the reactions in Faerie and reactions in the human realm.

• What does the moral standard for violence in Faerie seem to be, according to the different characters that live there? (topic sentence)
• Select three characters from the novel and analyze their views and reactions to violence. Compare the character reactions to determine any differences between them, and explain each one’s reactions in terms of your topic sentence.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize the differences between the Faerie realm and the human realm in relation to violence.  

3. Black draws inspiration from traditional tales of folklore to create creatures and landscapes in her novel.

• How does Black use folklore to create the world in which Jude lives? (topic sentence)
• Consider three creatures, characters, or landscapes from the novel and draw comparisons to the way they appear in traditional stories or folklore.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, summarize the ways in which Black’s description of Faerie is unique.  

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. Jude observes that her relationship with Taryn and Vivi is sometimes complicated because a mix of three sisters means someone is always left out. Compare Jude’s relationship with Taryn to her relationship with Vivi. In a three-paragraph essay, explain the differences between Jude and Taryn’s relationship and Jude and Vivi’s relationship. Speculate as to why the two relationships are different; for Jude, which relationship is closer? Safer? Better? Use evidence from the novel to support your response.

2. Jude refuses to place Oak on the throne of Elfhame until he is older. Consider how the story might be different had Oak been old enough to ascend the throne. In two or three paragraphs, evaluate the extent to which Jude’s own childhood experiences may serve as motivation for protecting Oak from the throne. Cite examples from the text to support your response.

Multiple Choice and Long Answer Questions create ideal opportunities for whole-text review, exams, or summative assessments.

Multiple Choice

1. How does Holly Black use the first-person perspective of Jude to her advantage?

A) Jude intentionally withholds details from readers, building suspense in the narrative.

B) The perspective is limited by Jude’s interpretation, allowing for plot twists.

C) Jude provides a perspective on Elfhame that no other characters are able to provide.

D) The audience develops an intimate relationship with Taryn through Jude.

2. What are the prejudices that exist in Elfhame?

A) The human realm is prejudiced against Faerie.

B) Madoc shows favoritism toward Vivi.

C) Taryn is prejudiced against her faerie peers.

D) Many faeries are prejudiced against humans.

3. Which statement best describes the way in which Madoc and Jude identify with one another?

A) Jude and Madoc are both capable of great cruelty, seemingly without reason.

B) Both are capable of violence and manipulation, even at the cost of familial ties.

C) Madoc and Jude are reactive to their surroundings, often acting out of fear.

D) Both believe betrayal to be a crime punishable by death.

4. What is Jude’s unique ability that sets her apart from others in Faerie?

A) Lying

B) Riddles

C) Resistance to poison

D) Sword fighting

5. What best describes the significance of Locke’s association with a fox?

A) Locke has physical characteristics that resemble a fox.

B) Locke’s mannerisms are similar to those of a fox.

C) Locke’s family crest includes the image of a fox.

D) The fox, like Locke, is known to be a cunning trickster.

6. What is the role of Jude’s feelings of inferiority in the novel?

A) They force her to defend herself against the attacks from Taryn.

B) They drive her character to overcompensate for her vulnerabilities.

C) They pressure her into building bonds with Cardan and his friends.

D) They cause her to experience hate and jealousy for the fae.

7. How do the qualities of Elfhame’s shifting landscape parallel Jude’s experience in Faerie?

A) Jude, like the landscape, has an ever-changing identity.

B) Jude’s environment in Elfhame is treacherous and unstable.

C) Jude manipulates individuals even as the landscape manipulates her.

D) Jude has a precarious relationship with Vivi, fearing she will abandon her.

8. What is the strongest significance of Jude’s nub finger in the novel?

A) It reminds her of the helplessness and fear she feels in Elfhame.

B) It is the only observable difference between her and Taryn.

C) It symbolizes her future success in Faerie.

D)  It represents the revenge she wants against those in Faerie.

9. In the novel, which of the following qualities is most abhorrent to Jude?

A) Betrayal

B) Deception

C) Weakness

D) Murder

10. What is most likely the reason Madoc refuses to permit Jude to become a knight until after the coronation?

A) Madoc thinks Jude is incapable of navigating politics.

B) Madoc believes Jude needs additional training before she is ready.

C) Madoc does not think Jude will be able to assimilate into the faerie Court.

D) Madoc does not want Jude to become involved in his coup.

11. Why do Jude and Taryn experience difficulty because of their similar routines and identities?

A) Their approach to difficult problems is identical and creates conflict.

B) Taryn experiences favoritism from their family and peers.

C) The twins are confronted with their own vulnerabilities by identifying with one another.

D) The sisters are bullied more often because of their similar personalities and appearance.

12. What ultimately causes Jude to view Cardan in a different light?

A) She learns of Locke’s betrayal, causing her to reconsider Cardan’s actions.

B) She discovers ways in which Cardan has granted her aid.

C) Cardan befriends the Court of Shadows, causing Jude to recognize him as a friend.

D) Taryn informs Jude of the intervention Cardan made on her behalf.

13. What is Locke’s motivation for his elaborate ruse regarding Jude and Taryn?

A) He thrives on family divisions.

B) He wants to prove his value to Taryn.

C) He enjoys the jealousy of Taryn.

D) He likes to create stories.  

14. What is one reason Jude is reluctant to allow Oak to take the throne?

A) She is afraid Oak will be a poor king because he is selfish.

B) She believes it may damage relations between humans and faeries.

C) She assumes Cardan has had more training for Court politics.

D) She thinks Oak is not a fit ruler due to his troubling behaviors.

15. Why does Jude feel conflicted about her relationship with Madoc?

A) She simultaneously loves him and believes him to be cruel.

B) Madoc provides her with a home and protection but is not loving.

C) Madoc loves her but treats her differently from his daughter Vivi.

D) She wants to please him, but Madoc is rarely pleased.

Long Answer

Compose a response of 2-3 sentences, incorporating text details to support your response.

1. What are Jude’s weaknesses, and how do they impact her actions?

2. What factors contribute to Cardan’s mistreatment of Jude?