Prometheus and the Fire: book club questions by chapter

🦉 Prometheus and the Fire · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “Clay and Breath” (pages 1–3, about 4 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 3, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. What does the name Prometheus mean?
   The story's answer: Forethought
2. Why did the first humans have nothing to protect themselves?
   The story's answer: Epimetheus had already given every gift to the animals
3. Who have we met so far, and what does each of them want?
   Listen for: Make a list together on the board; keep it for next time and add to it.
4. The part we just read is called "Clay and Breath". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
5. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 Prometheus and the Fire · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Two, “The Trick at Mecone”; Part Three, “The Stolen Fire” (pages 4–8, about 6 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 8, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
2. The part we just read is called "The Stolen Fire". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
3. Stop here. What do you think will happen next? Write or draw one guess to check next time.
   Listen for: Keep the guesses in an envelope. Don't say whether a guess is right: the next part will.

🦉 Prometheus and the Fire · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Four, “The Rock in the Caucasus” (pages 9–12, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 12, the end of the story.

1. What trick did Prometheus play at Mecone?
   The story's answer: He hid bones under shining fat so Zeus would choose them
2. Why did Prometheus steal fire, even knowing he would be punished?
   The story's answer: He valued the lives of the people he made more than his own safety
3. What does the myth suggest about Prometheus's choice?
   The story's answer: Some gifts are worth great sacrifice, and courage can mean standing firm for others
4. Look back at last time's guesses. Which came true, and what surprised you?
   Listen for: Read the guesses out. Nobody was wrong: a guess that missed often shows what the author wanted us to expect.
5. The part we just read is called "The Rock in the Caucasus". Why do you think it has that name?
   Listen for: Any answer that points to a moment in the part is a good one; ask for the page.
6. Now that you know the ending, was it the ending you expected?
   Listen for: Ask what in the earlier parts pointed to it, or pointed the other way.

About the whole story

1. What does this myth explain, or try to explain?
   Listen for: Many myths explain how something came to be: a season, an animal, a name.
2. Was the main character right or wrong? Was the ending fair?
   Listen for: Myths are often hard on people; let the group disagree.