City of Bones
59 pages • 1-hour read
Cassandra ClareCity of Bones
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Essay Topics
City of Bones relies on lies and secrets for much of its tension. Choose three lies or secrets (such as Clary’s mom keeping the secret of the Shadow world or Luke lying to Clary to keep her safe from Valentine) and examine how the story might have been different if this lie or secret had been revealed when it first occurred in the book. How would the characters involved in the lie or secret have changed? How might the story’s plot have been different, and what choices might characters have made differently? Why do you think Clare chose for each character to lie or keep the secrets you picked?
Why do you think Clare chose to make Chapter 21 entirely Luke’s dialogue to deliver backstory? Explain how this technique is effective or ineffective. How could have Clare delivered this information in a more engaging way?
Do you think Valentine is actually Jace’s father? Why or why not? Do you think Valentine ever truly cared for Jace? Why or why not? What evidence from the text makes you feel this way?
Consider the hatred between Shadowhunters and Down-worlders. What similarities do you to hate groups in today’s world? How might the conflict between Shadowhunters and Down-worlders be resolved? Are there any ideas present in City of Bones that you think could help overcome hatred and prejudice between groups in real life?
In Chapter 13, Magnus calls Jace and Alec out for disassociating themselves from Valentine and the darker side of Shadowhunter beliefs. Do you agree with Magnus that denying the darker parts of who we are keeps us from learning and growing? Why or why not? How might have Shadowhunter culture in City of Bones been different if the Clave had accepted their darkness, rather than pushing it aside as beliefs only extremists hold?
Do you agree with Clary’s statement that the good things we do don’t balance the bad ones? Why or why not? Do you think there are “good” and “bad” actions at all, or is everything a matter of perspective?
Do you agree with Clary’s mom going into hiding and having Magnus cast the spell on Clary to hide the Shadow world from her? Why or why not? What other choice could Clary’s mom have made to keep them safe?
One of the major themes in City of Bones is how Different Perspectives Cloud the Truth. What messages does the book offer about reality? Do you think reality is fixed, or does it depend on how a person views the world? Use specific examples from the text to support your answers.
Given demons are made out to be creatures of chaos and the enemy of Shadowhunters, Down-worlders, and humans, why do you think Clare chose to include a demon perspective in Chapter 1 that offered a glimpse of demons as tragic? What does the demon perspective add to the story?
In Chapter 9, Jace and Clary discuss Isabelle’s desire to fight rather than learn domestic talents, such as cooking. What does this discussion and City of Bones as a whole say about gender roles, gender stereotypes, and feminism?
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