Crossing the Wire

What moral conflicts and dilemmas are faced by Victor in the novel? How do others complicate Victor’s moral convictions? How might Victor’s reputation for being a “turtle” motivate him to make good or bad decisions?

Teaching Suggestion: It may be beneficial for students to answer these questions by analyzing the novel chronologically. Consider asking students to list the characters Victor interacts with on his journey and distinguish between those who have a good and bad influence on him. It may be helpful for students to create a written response before responding orally.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require additional assistance with analysis, such as those with executive functioning learning differences, may find it beneficial to work with a graphic organizer and with smaller sections of chapters at a time to analyze the moral dilemmas that face Victor. Consider providing students with a t-chart so they can chart the dilemmas Victor faces on one side and the decisions he makes regarding those dilemmas on the other side.