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

What does the phrase “nature versus nurture” mean? In what fields of study is this dichotomy typically discussed?

Teaching Suggestion: This question offers the opportunity for students to consider the influence of genetics on traits, health, and behavior in comparison to the impact of environment on those factors. For an introduction to this topic, students might use the list of 8 characteristics offered at the 2:00 mark in the video and label each as “nature” or “nurture.” By discussing the influence of these two forces, readers will be primed to consider the roles of parents in the novel and the effects of their absence on the main characters.

• This 4-minute video from FuseSchool introduces the nature/nurture dichotomy in a scientific context. Its consideration of twins might be a useful springboard to consider the first question in terms of parents and children.
• Oxford Bibliographies shares an introduction and overview of the nature/nurture debate along with a reference list.

Short Activity

What important events happened in America in the 1920s and 1930s? Brainstorm a list of 15-20 events with a small group.