Warriors Don't Cry Reading Response Guide
The following questions of there to help facilitate your reactions to each chapter. Do not just answer them. Use them to begin your discussion and reaction to what you have read. This is your personal response. In the absence of a question, just respond on your own.
Introduction
Imagine yourself coming back to visit Conant High School thirty years from now. The school had invited you back because several of you had gone on to make significant changes in our society and had become famous. Imagine what you would like to have happened in those years to bring on this invitation. You are in a hotel together the night before with the other invitees.
How is this imaginary experience different from that of Melba Beals and the Little Rock 9?
Chapter 1 - Why does Grandmother comment that Melba is supposed to carry the banner?
Chapter 2 - What types of childhood experiences had Melba Beals had concerning race relations?
Chapter 3 - How did Melba Beals come about to be one of the Little Rock 9?
Chapter 4 - Remember this? It is three days before school begins and the television is reporting the beginning of the new school year. How was this experience different from that of Melba Beals?
Chapter 5 - Look at the pictures posted on the American Studies page for Warriors Don't Cry. Spend a few minutes looking at them, taking them in. Now reread Chapter 5. What are you thinking now? Continue on by reading Chapter 6.
Chapter 6 -
Chapter 7 - You are about to take a difficult stand at school which might threaten your grades and chance to get into college. It is important enough for you to do so. Imagine the arguments that could occur in your house when you tell your parents about what you are about to do.
Chapter 8 - In Chapter 8 Melba really begins to see how this is taking over every aspect of her life. Respond.
Chapter 9 - Borrow the movie "Rocky" from either the library, the video store or from class. Watch the scene the night before the big fight. Now read Chapter 9. Respond.
Chapter 10 - - Go sit on your front steps and look out at your front yard and your street. Take n the scene for a few minutes. Now go back inside your house. Count to ten and reopen your front door. This time walk out to the scene that Melba Beals did on her first day. How do you feel?
Chapter 11- Melba Beals writes in her diary,
There seems to be no space for me at Central High. I don't want integration
to be like a merry-go-round. Please, God, make space for me.
Look deeper into the meaning of this statement.
Chapter 12- Can you imagine the President of the United States calling your house? Respond.
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15 – Melba feels like a different person, and is treated as such by her old friends. Discuss this aspect of the chapter.
Chapter 16 – Most of us really don’t think about our safety in school each morning as we leave our house. How does this chapter bring this into perspective?
Chapter 17 – Melba finds her school experience going through some major changes. Comment.
Chapter 18 –
Chapter 19 – Look at some more of the advice Grandmother gives to Melba in this chapter. Would you be able to heed this advice?
Chapter 20 – What is happening to Minnijean?
Chapter 21- Look at Melba’s new years resolutions. What have your resolutions sounded like?
Chapter 22 –
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28