46 pages • 1 hour read
Kirby LarsonHattie Big Sky
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2006A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Research the Council of Defense during World War I. Is the local version in the story true to the mission that it was created for? What is the impact of personal bias and desire for power on an entity like the Council? Do you feel the Council in the story did more harm than good? Why or why not?
What is the significance of the theme of American Identity and Patriotism? Why are the citizens of Vida so wary of the German immigrants? How does the misinformation about the German immigrants spread?
Describe the character of Traft Martin. What is his reasoning for his extreme beliefs? Is this connected to his complex feelings about why he cannot fight in the war? What were his motivations in trying to save the Muellers’ and Hattie’s barns? Is he a sympathetic character? Why or why not?
Although Karl does not speak that much throughout the novel, he has an important presence. What is the significance of Karl’s silence? How does this allow the reader to empathize with him as a character?
Describe the significance of the relationship between Perilee and Hattie and Leafie and Hattie. How do Perilee and Leafie act as mentors to Hattie? What lessons does Hattie learn from each? What does Hattie bring to each friendship?
What is the significance of the setting? How does Larson use the harshness and the beauty of Montana to expand on the themes of the novel? How does the setting signify Hattie’s internal character development? How have Hattie’s feelings about Montana changed by the end of the story?
Research the Homestead Act of 1862, the Desert Land Act, and the Enlarged Homestead Act of 1909 (and the changes made to it in 1912). How did these acts affect the growth of Montana? Do you feel the acts set people up for success or failure? Specific to the story, do you feel that the no-exception policy after a failed proving period was necessary? Why or why not?
What is the significance of Liberty Bonds and war savings stamps in the novel? How does this tie into the anti-German sentiment in Vida? How does Larson present bonds and stamps as both a positive and a negative aspect of the war?
Why is it important to Hattie’s character development that she does not prove her claim? How does this impact her decision to leave Vida? What other factors play into this decision? Do you think Hattie’s failing was a blessing in disguise? Why or why not?
The novel ends on a cliffhanger about Hattie’s future. What are the literary implications of ending the novel this way? What is the significance of the ending mirroring Hattie’s arrival at the beginning? Does the novel have a hopeful ending? Why or why not?
