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67 pages 2 hours read

Gary L. Blackwood

The Shakespeare Stealer

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1998

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Essay Topics

1.

Write an analysis of the importance of theatre as the primary setting of The Shakespeare Stealer. Explain how the setting of the novel contributes to at least one of the book’s major themes.

2.

Pick two characters and explain how they contribute to The Shakespeare Stealer’s theme of identity.

3.

How do Widge’s understandings of family and friendship transform over the course of the novel? Explain your answer using three or more examples from the text.

4.

Describe and analyze the character of Julian/Julia. What does this character teach us about gender in Elizabethan England and gender in modern life?

5.

Compare and contrast Simon Bass’s opinion about intellectual property with Mr. Armin’s. Use specific examples from the text to support each man’s view.

6.

How does The Shakespeare Stealer define the idea of family? Explain your answer using at least three examples from the book.

7.

When Widge first arrives in London, he is mocked for his accent and dialect. How is identity tied to a character’s inner and outer characteristics in The Shakespeare Stealer?

8.

From fencing lessons to duels, readers encounter quite a bit of violence in The Shakespeare Stealer. In the novel, does violence resolve problems? Use at least two examples from the book in your answer.

9.

The Shakespeare Stealer is a book about Widge’s growth as a person. Identify and explain three ways in which Widge grows and changes throughout the book.

10.

Both Falconer and Nick are antagonists in The Shakespeare Stealer. Why does Blackwood include multiple antagonists in his book? Explain your reasoning with proof from the text.

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