I Am Still Alive

Identify several ways in which fear both hinders Jess’s survival and helps her to survive.

Research the particulars of surviving in the Arctic. How does Marshall’s story accurately (or inaccurately) depict these skills, and how realistic is Jess’s experience of battling the elements?

How does Jess rely on her past to find the wisdom to overcome her current predicament? Highlight and analyze at least three examples from the text to support your analysis.

In what ways is Jess’s story one of heroism? In what sense is she a footnote? How do these two versions of the story coexist?

How does Jess use Grief and Fear as Motivational Tools in desperate situations, and how does her fear sometimes prevent her from pursuing her goals?

Examine the structure of Part 1 of the novel. What emotional effects are created by the author’s choice to alternate between “before” and “after” chapters to describe Jess’s experiences? How would a more linear approach have changed the nature of the story?

I Am Still Alive was partially inspired by Marshall’s early experience of reading Gary Paulsen’s Hatchet (1986), another young adult survival novel. Read Paulsen’s iconic novel and compare and contrast its protagonist and its narrative style with Marshall’s novel.

Why is it so difficult for Jess to have a healthy relationship with her father? Map the various ways in which her attitude toward him shifts both before and after his death. Use at least three to four specific examples from the text to support your analysis.