They Both Die at the End

These prompts can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before or after reading the play.

Personal Response Prompt

Both Mateo and Rufus spend their last day trying to wrap up loose ends in their lives. What would you want to do if you could spend one day doing anything? What things do you want to cross off your bucket list?

Teaching Suggestion: You can use this as an opportunity to preface that the title is not a metaphor. Both of the main characters die at the end of the novel, which may be difficult for students. However, this book uses the theme of Inescapable Morality and Living Without Regret to emphasize the beauty of seizing the day.

• National Public Radio published an article entitled “Be Honest and Concrete: Tips for Talking to Kids about Death.”.
• The Trevor Project provides resources and counseling to LGBTQ+ youth and can offer help for students who might be triggered by discussions of death.

Post-Reading Analysis

What effect did knowing that Mateo and Rufus were going to die at the end of the novel have on your reading experience?

Teaching Suggestion: Encourage students to think critically about the choices authors make in their texts.