84 pages • 2 hours read
Alexandra BrackenThe Darkest Minds
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2012A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Essay Topics
In this novel, Bracken waits to completely reveal what happened to Ruby’s parents’ memories until late in the book, Chapter 19, although there are significant hints along the way. Why do you think she chooses to tell that part of the story at the moment that she did? What effect does the revelation of that information have on the narrative?
Dystopian stories often depict versions of the future that reflect fears of the present day. Discuss 2-3 real-life concerns or anxieties that are reflected in the world portrayed in The Darkest Minds. How are they incorporated as part of the story elements?
Why, in chapter 31, does Ruby erase Martin’s memory? Is Ruby justified in making this choice? What does her decision to erase his memories show us about the ways her character has changed throughout the novel, both positive and negative?
Analyze why Ruby chooses to keep the Children’s League’s panic button as a safety net, even though she knows the League cannot be trusted. What does the League represent to Ruby? How does that relate to her personal history and her motivations? Provide examples from the text.
In establishing the dystopian setting of The Darkest Minds, Bracken uses the names of real businesses and restaurants that exist today in the American South (e.g., Walmart, Waffle House, Days Inn). What do these realistic details from today’s world add to the narrative? Select a few examples from the text and discuss them specifically.
Compare and contrast the leadership styles of two characters in The Darkest Minds, choosing from among Ruby, Liam, Clancy, or Chubs. How do these two characters make decisions? What values are important to them? How do they respond to being in authority? Are these two characters ultimately more alike or different?
Discuss the role gender plays in the development of Ruby’s character. How does her awareness of gender affect her and her relationships with other characters? Discuss specific examples from the text.
Consider how Zu’s character changes over the course of the novel, from her first appearance in Chapter 7 to her departure with Hina in Chapter 24. Identify 2-3 specific ways Zu has grown and developed. What motivates these changes in her, and why? In what ways does Zu not change?
There are several antagonists in the novel, and there are several different kinds of forces that oppose Ruby and the Black Betty travelers at different times in the narrative. Who or what is the most important obstacle that Ruby must overcome by the end of this novel? Provide justification for your answer with examples from the text.
