Journal Entry--Final Thoughts

Is murder always related to one’s sanity? Is there such a thing as an accident when murder is the result?

Killing Mr. Griffin--Final Thoughts

1. What does Mr. Griffin’s ring symbolize?
2. Why and how can Mark be considered a psychopath? (Look up definitions if you need to)

Journal Entry

How realistic is the author’s depiction of the students’ anger and frustration regarding tough grades? Is it just low grades that cause problems?

Killing Mr. Griffin-- Chapter 19

1. How does Ophelia’s song sum up the story? Analyze it closely.
2. Discuss the disparity (the difference) between what Mr. Griffin writes on Susan’s paper and the insecurity and fear she felt around Mr. Griffin himself when he was alive.

Journal Entry

Compare and contrast (two different questions) the student’s relationships with their parents. How are these relationships crucial to the stories outcomes?

Killing Mr. Griffin--Chapter 17-18

1. Why was Susan alone in the house?
2. What did Susan find out when she called David’s house?
3. Why does Susan think Mark killed David’s grandmother?

Journal Entry

Patterns—are they repeated? Are these characters trapped by their past? Are they all destined to repeat previous errors made by their parents? Or is there something else being suggested? Be specific and detailed and not superficial in your response. How can the pasts of the average American come back to “haunt” them or trap them into a way of life? Give examples.

Killing Mr. Griffin--Chapter 15-16

1. Should Susan go to the funeral? Why or why not?
2. What lies has Mark told the Garrett family about his aunt and uncle?
3. What doesn’t Jeff’s mom like about Mark?
4. What is ironic about the following statement made by Jeff’s dad, “It makes you wonder where the parents are while all that’s going on?”

Journal Entry

Lies—cheating is this way of life for young adults? Why do you think American culture has become so used to lies and untruthful behaviors?

1.. Who does the group think has all the answer? Why? What qualities make him the "go to" person?
2.. When Mark hears the news, why is he concerned about Sue?
3.. In what ways does Mark use Betsy?
4. What was ironic about David’s grandmother’s description of “going to sleep like Snow White?”

Chapters Five--Eight

1. Why did Betsy participate in the kidnapping plan? (It was more than her not liking him)
2. Who did Mr. Griffin remind David of? Why?
3. What did Betsy want to see Mr. Griffin do when he was tied up? What did Mark want to see him do?
4. Predict what will happen next...How will events unfold from here?

Plot Review: Fill in the blanks
After a tough but successful kidnapping, they leave their teacher (where) __________________. Two kids, ___________________ and ________________________ are having second thoughts. In fact, they decide to go back and release him by themselves. When they arrive, they find out it’s too late—he’s ______________________.