Discussion Questions

Chapter 1 "Run"

1. Summarize: What do we learn in the introduction?

2. Author’s style/choice: Why does Trevor Noah begin the first chapter this way?  

3. What tone is Trevor Noah using? What effect does the tone have? 

4. Summarize: mixed church, white church, and black church.  

5If you go to church, make a connection to your own church experience. 

6. What is the significance of the second hand car? What might it symbolize?  

7. Indirect characterization: What can we infer about Trevor’s mom based on the description “It didn’t matter that
there was a war on our doorstep. She had things to do, places to be” (pg. 13) 

8.“Death was never far away from anybody back then” is an example of what figurative language?

9.Find 2 examples of direct characterization. 

10. Why is the chapter called run? Give at least one direct quote
 Discussion Questions

Chapter 2 "Born a Crime"

1. Summarize: What do we learn in the introduction?

1. What was the penalty for breaking the Apartheid laws? How were the punishments unequal?

1. What can we infer about Trevor’s mom based on her actions?

1. Explain how Trevor Noah is “born a crime.” Cite a supporting detail 

1. What was life like in Soweto? Cite at least 3 details.

 Discussion Questions
Chapter 5 "The Second Girl"
Respond to each question using complete sentences.

1. While reading this chapter, keep track of where Patricia Noah

has lived and briefly describe what each place is like.  Use the
graphic to the right!

2, Explain the significance of being “the second child.”  

3.On page 66, Noah talks about the “curse” of being black.  What
does he mean and what tone is evoked by the word “curse”?

4. Noah quotes his mother: “Life is full of pain. Let the pain sharpen
you, but don’t hold on to it.”  What do you interpret the word
“sharpen” to mean in the context of this passage? Why do you think
that is the word his mother used?

5. Explain the significance of Trevor’s name.

6. Look it up: Who is Jimmy Swaggart?

7. How would you characterize Patricia’s parenting?  Cite evidence

from the text to support your description.

8. The word “freedom” recurs many times throughout this chapter. 

What is the significance of this word in this chapter?
 Characterization
Indirect Characterization
The reader makes an inferences about a character based on his/her:

S
T
E
A
L
Direct Characterization

The author explains exactly what the character is/is feeling

 Discussion Questions
Chapter 3 "Trevor, Pray"

As we read chapter 3, track the direct characterization and indirect characterization of the following characters:

Trevor

Temperance
Noah

Dinky

Grandmother
Frances Noah

Great-grandmother
Koko

 
 Discussion Questions

Chapter 6 "Loopholes" As we read, track the mischief that Trevor

gets into:

Based on the introduction and the title, “Loopholes,” what do

you think this chapter is going to be about? 

As we read, track the mischief that Trevor Noah gets into:

Context: Do a general Google Search on Guy Fawkes Day - What
is it?

How does the short, simple sentence, sentence structure of “You

can draw on this paper. You can draw in this book. You can draw
on any surface you want. But do not draw or write or color on
the wall” on page 80 help determine a tone? 

What mood is created by Trevor and his mom’s word

choice/tone in the letters they write back and forth to each
other? (pg. 82-84) 

Find 2 examples of Logos that Trevor or his mom use in an

argument. 
 Discussion Questions

Chapter 6 "Loopholes"

What are the big ideas that come up in this chapter? How does Trevor feel about those ideas? Ultimately, what is the
theme of this chapter?  

Italics are used to indicate inner thoughts and used to add emphasis. Find one example of each, and explain how the
use of italics add to the plot, characterization, or tone of the story.  

Find 2 examples of figurative language

Find 2 examples of direct OR indirect characterization. For indirect characterization, explain what inference the
Speech, Thought, Effect on others, Action, or Looks lead you to.
 Discussion Questions

Chapter 7 "Fufi"

Based on the introduction and the title, "Fufi," predict what the chapter will be about.

What is Irony? How is it ironic that "white people had spent years seeing video of black people being beaten to death by
other white people, but this one video of a black man kicking a cat, that's what sent them over the edge."

Describe the differences between white dogs and black dogs

What kind of figurative language is:

"It's like a bicycle but with emotions"

"Fufi was deaf to my pleas."

Theme
 Discussion Questions
Chapter 8 "Robert"

Based on the title and introduction, what do you predict the chapter will be about?

Characterization: What does Robert's action of closing his restaurant tell us about him? 

According to Trevor, what is the difference between African and European Christmas?

What point is Trevor trying to make by using the figurative language, "I walked out of his house that day an inch taller."

How does this chapter connect with "My Papa's Waltz" ? Are the speakers discussion the same kind of father? Cite at
least one detail from each to support your answer.
 Discussion Questions
Chapter 9 "The Mulberry Tree"

Based on the title and introduction, what do you predict the chapter will be about?

Why does Trevor Noah feel particularly ostracized in Eden Park?

Summarize what happened between Trevor and the other kids at the mulberry tree.

Compare and contrast how Trevor, his mother, and Abel reacted to the incident at the mulberry tree.

“Revenge truly is sweet. It takes you to a dark place, but man, it satisfies a thirst” (125). Do you agree with Trevor’s
feelings about what is happening at this point in the story? Why or why not?

At what point does the tone of this chapter change from Trevor feeling vengeful to feeling regret? What causes this
shift in tone? (Cite evidence to help explain your answer)

How is Abel characterized throughout this chapter? Cite at least two details from the text to support your response.
 Discussion Questions
Chapter 10
"A Young man's Long, Awkward, Occasionally Tragic, and Frequently Humiliating
Education in Affairs of the Heart Part 1:Valentine's Day

Summarize mom's advice.

How does her advice to Trevor help the reader understand her character?

What is the author's (Trevor's) purpose in writing this chapter and telling this story?

Chapter 11 "Outsider"

Find 2 examples of direct/indirect characterization in the introduction.

Based on the introduction and the title, predict what you think the chapter will be about?

Describe Trevor's school (Cite at least 3 direct details). Compare Trevor's school with South Meck. How does Trevor fit
in?

Based on the context of the sentence, what does the word queue mean?
" Then, immediately after the assembly, there would be a race to the tuck shop because the queue to buy food was so
long." (pg. 139)

According to Trevor, what can someone do as an outsider? Do you agree?

What one word, big theme does this chapter connect with? Cite at least one detail to support your answer.
 Discussion Questions

Chapter 12 "A Young man's Long, Awkward, Occasionally Tragic, and Frequently
Humiliating Education in Affairs of the Heart Part 1I: The Crush

As we read, highlight the IMAGERY in the text. Annotate what the purpose/effect the imagery has on the text.

Based on the introduction and the title of the chapter, predict what you think the story will be about.

What is Murphy's Law? What effect does this ALLUSION have on the text/reader?

Find at least 2 examples of characterization.

What is the theme of this chapter? Cite one piece of evidence to support your answer.

What effect does the imagery have on the reader?

 Discussion Questions
Chapter 13 "Colorblind"

Based on the introduction and the title of the chapter, predict what you think the story will be about.

To what character does Trevor's mom compare Teddy? This is an example of what figurative language?

How does the sentence structure and word choice create suspense on page 155?

This chapter is an example of which type of irony? Explain with evidence from the text.
 Discussion Questions
Chapter 15 "Go Hitler!"

Pre-Reading Research: give the who (are they), what (are they known for), and when (time period) for the following
people:

Hitler:

Mussolini:

Cecil Rhodes:

Christopher Columbus:

Andrew Jackson:

Based on the introduction and the title of the chapter, predict what you think the story will be about.

How is education contrasted in this chapter? Cite at least 2 details.

Music in South Africa has evolved. How does music connect to the theme of identity? Cite at least 1 detail.

What does McDonald's symbolize for Trevor?

What is ironic (identify which type) in the end of the chapter?

 Discussion Questions
Chapter 18 "My Mother's Life"
Before reading, consider and respond to these discussion prompts:
1. Do you think that you are a good judge of character? Write about a time you have judged someone correctly or
incorrectly early on in your experiences with them.

2. Who is supposed to protect you? Create a list that includes people, organizations, or officials who should have
your best interest in mind.

3. Do you believe in miracles? Why/why not? Give evidence from your life to support your opinion.

Answer the following while reading chapter 18:

1. Review: What do you already know about the character Abel from previous chapters? Write a brief summary.

2. Vocabulary in context: What does sinister mean in the context of this chapter? Cite a context clue that helps you in
your understanding.

3. How is Abel an example of symbolism? What does his name symbolize?

4. Words in Context: What does patriarchal mean in the context of this chapter? Cite a context clue that helps you in
your understanding.

5. Pause after the incident with Abel and Trevor's mother on page 255. Complete the following RAFT writing prompt:
Role: You are a friend of Patricia's from work
Audience: You are writing to Patricia
Form: A letter, text message/email, or a voice mail (written)
Topic: Advice on her relationship with Abel
 Discussion Questions
Chapter 18 "My Mother's Life"

RAFT:
Dear Patricia,

6. “Love is a creative act.” What is the context of this quote within this chapter? Do you agree with this assertion?
Why or why not?

7. “You want to live in a world where someone is good or bad, where you either hate them or love them, but that’s
not how people are.” Explain the context of this quote within the story and make a connection to something outside
of the story.

8. “And that’s the problem with the world. Wh have people who cannot police themselves, so they want to police
everyone else around them.” Explain the context of this quote within the story and make a connection to something
outside of the story.
 Discussion Questions
Chapter 18 "My Mother's Life"

9. Explain why Trevor decides to “write off” his mother. What do you think about his decision to do this?

10. Consider the people and structures that should have protected Trevor and his family. How did they support
them or fail at supporting them when his family was in need.

a. The police

b. Extended family

c. The courts

d. Social workers