Little House on the Prairie

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Analyze the book’s portrayal of the relationships between humans and the natural environment.

• What effect does the prairie landscape have on the lives of the Ingalls family? (topic sentence)
• Give 3 examples of moments when the Ingalls family adapts to, relies on, and struggles with the environment of their new home.
• In your concluding sentences, describe how the Ingallses’ relationship with the environment connects to the theme of Masculine Self-Reliance, Feminine Dependence.

2. Discuss the role of fear in the novel.

• How does fear influence the characters and their actions? (topic sentence)
• Use specific examples from the text to describe how 3 different characters react to fear.
• In your conclusion, consider the overall impact of fear. How does it drive the plot, alter character relationships, and/or highlight societal attitudes of the time? Connect your response to the novel’s theme The Racial Attitudes of White Settlers by examining the fear (justified or unjustified) many settlers had toward Native Americans.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. How does the character of Laura view the concept of “home”? Discuss how her understanding of home evolves throughout the story. What does “home” initially mean to Laura, and how does this idea change as she experiences life on the prairie? Consider the physical and emotional aspects of “home” in Laura’s perspective. How do these aspects influence her understanding of home? Make a connection to the theme of Feminine Propriety and Filial Obedience or Masculine Self-Reliance, Feminine Dependence. Finally, how does the resolution of the novel affect Laura’s understanding of home? Cite specific examples from the text in your response.

2. How does Little House on the Prairie both conform to and challenge the gender norms of its historical period? What are the traditional gender roles depicted in the book, and how do they affect the daily life and dynamics of the Ingalls family? Are there instances where the characters defy these roles? Considering the era in which the book was written, how might Laura Ingalls Wilder’s own views on gender roles have influenced her portrayal of them in the story? As part of your answer, discuss either Feminine Propriety and Filial Obedience or Masculine Self-Reliance, Feminine Dependence. Cite specific examples from the text in your response.