Killing Mr. Griffin

What makes Mark so convincing to his peers? What qualities about Mark, and what qualities about the other teenage characters, create a dependent relationship?

In your opinion, should Mr. Griffin be gentler with his students? Explain your reasoning using passages from the text.

Why is Betsy so seduced by Mark and the kidnapping of Mr. Griffin? How is she different from Susan? Analyze Betsy’s character and role in the novel.

Why does Jeff lack an internal perspective unlike the rest of the group? What does this communicate about Jeff’s role in the novel? How does Jeff’s role evolve over time?

Why does Susan succumb to peer pressure? What ways does she attempt to resist peer pressure? How do Susan’s choices change the narrative?

How does Dave’s relationship with his grandmother challenge his storyline? What is his grandmother’s role in the novel? How does his relationship with his grandmother evolve due to his actions?

Why do the others in the group, along with the adults, ignore Mark’s psychopathic character traits? How does the choice to leave Mark’s behaviors unacknowledged help? How does the choice to acknowledge Mark’s behaviors hurt?

Should Jeff, Betsy, and Dave be found guilty of second-degree murder? Explain your reasoning using examples from the novel.