The Barren Grounds

In a dream, Morgan’s mother tells her to remember who she is. How does Morgan remember who she is, and how does she change throughout the story so that she can ultimately say, “I know who I am” (218)?

Morgan calls Katie and James “white saviors” a few times. Define the term “white saviors” and explain how it fits Katie and James. How do their attitude and behaviors affect Morgan? Do they change how they interact with Morgan based on her reactions?

Mason is the antagonist in the story because he steals the summer birds and brings the White Time on Misewa. What was Mason’s motivation to steal the summer birds? Does he have any redeeming qualities?

Ochek spares the wolf’s life at Eli’s request. Later, the same wolf saves Morgan, Eli, and Arik. Did the wolf’s life deserve to be spared? If the wolf had died, how would the story’s ending have been different?

Mason plunged Misewa into eternal winter. In the story, what does snow symbolize?

Morgan is a loner at school and doesn’t socialize because she doesn’t think anyone likes her. Then Emily befriends her. How does Emily show friendship to Morgan, and how does this change Morgan?

Ochek says humans like Mason have ruined the land because all they do is take from it. How do Morgan and Eli care for the land and rectify the mistakes of the past?

Arik leaves Misewa because she is afraid the villagers will eat her as food becomes scarcer in the White Time. Ochek even tries to kill her—a walking, talking animal like himself—because he is so hungry. How does the need to survive change Ochek and the other villagers of Misewa?