The Bone Sparrow

Explore food as a motif in the story. How does the author use the lack of nutritious or even palatable food in the camp to highlight the human rights violations enforced on the detainees? What is the significance of Jimmie’s hot chocolate and the picnic she brings Subhi? Contrast this with the hunger strikes.

Discuss the role of adults in the camp versus that of children. How is the forced incarceration hampering the adults’ ability to parent and guide the children, and how does this negatively impact the children?

Explore the theme of visibility and invisibility as it appears in the novel. How does the author highlight what it means to be known and visible as a human? Why is it significant that Queeny takes on this cause so ardently?

How is the concept of personal belongings addressed in the story? Analyze the way the author uses this motif to highlight larger themes in the narrative such as identity and autonomy. Consider Subhi’s belongings as well as Jimmie’s. Also, consider the things they lack such as books for Subhi and a bike for Jimmie.

The author does not shy away from addressing the abuses in the camp. In what ways does she subtly address darker, more sinister behavior occurring in the tents? Relate this to the overall theme of the dehumanization that occurs in this type of incarceration.

Explore water as a symbol in the narrative. Trace its significance from the way the refugees arrived at the camp, to the arid landscape, to the lack of drinking and bathing water, to Subhi’s obsession with the ocean.

Examine the portrayal of familial relationships in the novel. Specifically, look at Subhi’s relationship with his maá and sister and Jimmie’s relationship with her father and brother. How do these relationships affect each character’s decisions?

Discuss the character of Harvey. Is he a sympathetic character or a somewhat unhelpful side character? Could he have done more to help Eli? Why does Subhi choose to forgive him?