The Tempest: book club questions by chapter

🦉 The Tempest · meeting 1 of 3

Read: Part One, “The Storm”; Part Two, “Two Servants” (pages 1–5, about 7 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 5, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. 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.
2. The part we just read is called "Two Servants". 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.

🦉 The Tempest · meeting 2 of 3

Read: Part Three, “Lost on the Island” (pages 6–9, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 9, and don't read on: the next part is for next time.

1. Why did Prospero pretend to be angry with Ferdinand and make him carry logs?
   The story's answer: He wanted Ferdinand to prove his love, so it would not be won too easily
2. 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.
3. The part we just read is called "Lost on the Island". 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.
4. 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.

🦉 The Tempest · meeting 3 of 3

Read: Part Four, “Such Stuff as Dreams” (pages 10–13, about 5 minutes aloud).
Stop at the end of page 13, the end of the story.

1. How did Prospero and Miranda come to live on the island?
   The story's answer: Prospero's brother stole his dukedom and set them adrift at sea
2. What did Ariel want more than anything?
   The story's answer: His freedom
3. What changed Prospero's mind about taking revenge?
   The story's answer: Ariel said that even a spirit would pity the prisoners
4. When Prospero says "The rarer action is in virtue than in vengeance," what is the play saying?
   The story's answer: Forgiving is harder and finer than getting even
5. 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.
6. The part we just read is called "Such Stuff as Dreams". 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.
7. 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. Which character changed the most from the beginning to the end?
   Listen for: Ask what changed them.
2. Which scene would you put on the poster if this were a film?
   Listen for: A way to find the scene that mattered most to each reader.
3. Is there a line or a moment you will remember? Why that one?
   Listen for: Let readers find it in the book and read it aloud.
4. Who would you give this story to, and why them?
   Listen for: A reader who can name the right person has understood what the story is like.
5. If you could ask the person who first told this story one question, what would it be?
   Listen for: Collect the questions; some have answers on the story's page in the library.