The Bronze Bow

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text throughout your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Daniel, Joel, and Malthace’s vow forge a bond of strength and trust between the three. Their common goal, passion, and shared burdens make their struggle for victory easier.

• Why is the bond between Daniel, Joel, and Malthace important in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Explain why the bond between the three friends is important, how it helps the three in their personal lives, and how it is critical in resolving Daniel’s internal conflict. Use evidence from the novel to support your ideas.
• In your concluding sentences, explain how the novel may have concluded differently had the bond between the three not formed.

2. In the novel, Samson is seen as more of a nuisance to Daniel than as a friend, but he eventually plays a pivotal role in the development of Daniel’s character.

• Why is Samson important in Daniel’s journey to accepting love? (topic sentence)
• Explain how Daniel’s perspective on Samson changes in the novel, how Samson helped Daniel, and what Jesus says about Samson that ultimately changes Daniel’s perspective on his hatred. Use evidence from the novel to support your ideas.
• In your concluding sentences, explain how Samson demonstrates the theme of how Love Is Stronger Than Hate.

3. The Coming of God’s Kingdom is a prominent theme in the novel and a source of contention between some characters.

• What are the varying opinions regarding the definition of The Coming of God’s Kingdom in the novel? (topic sentence)
• Explain how the characters view God’s Kingdom differently, whether the coming kingdom is a physical or ideological construct, and why it is important for the characters to know whether the kingdom is physical or ideological. Use evidence from the novel to support your ideas.
• In your concluding sentences, explain what actions the characters would take if God’s kingdom was ideological and compare it to their actions if the kingdom were physical.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by textual details, and a conclusion.

1. Though Daniel faces multiple opportunities to choose love, he insists on living a life of hatred. Why doesn’t Daniel want to accept love? What life experiences have caused Daniel to harden himself toward feelings of love? Why is it difficult for Daniel to accept living under Roman rule, and how is it tied to his feelings of hatred? What opportunities does Daniel have to choose love but forego in favor of hate? How does Daniel ultimately decide that love is more powerful than hatred?

2. The death of Daniel and Leah’s father impacts both siblings in different ways. While Leah succumbs to demons that prevent her from leaving home, Daniel’s demons doom him to a life of hatred and vengeance. In what ways are Leah and Daniel’s demons similar? In what ways are they different? In what ways do they both fight their demons? Do they succeed? If so, how do they put their demons to rest?

3. Compare and contrast Rosh and Jesus as possible leaders for the Jewish people. For what reasons do people believe in each of them? How are their moral codes different? In what ways do Jesus and Rosh treat their followers differently? How do Rosh and Jesus treat material possessions differently? What are the motivations of the characters who follow Rosh and Jesus?