The Endless Steppe

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. Throughout her experiences of exile, antisemitism, and loss, Esther allows her Jewish heritage, community, and rituals to help comfort and sustain her.

• How important was her Jewish heritage to Esther? (topic sentence)
• Provide several examples of how Esther's father, mother, grandmother, and perhaps other family members influenced the way Esther thought about what it meant to be a part of the Jewish community.
• In your concluding sentences, briefly summarize how Esther’s Jewish heritage connects to the theme of Adaptability and Resistance to Change.

2. The isolation Esther feels is one of the greatest challenges of her exile.

• How can language and cultural barriers influence the need for acceptance and friendship? (topic sentence)
• Describe some of the things Esther did to fit in at school and make friends. What was she willing to give up in exchange for acceptance?
• In your concluding sentences, briefly explain what Esther’s actions and choices indicate about The Human Need for Belonging.

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. What are some of the ways Esther's childhood in Poland prepares her to endure the hardships of life in Siberia? Consider what the important people in her life taught her as a young child and how she is able to apply those lessons when her circumstances change so drastically. Cite examples from the book that show how a childhood lesson in Poland may have influenced Esther's behavior, attitude, or decision-making in Siberia.

2. Esther struggles with the news that the deportees will be returned to Poland. Why is this a conflict for her? What reasons does she have for resisting the return? What does Esther's reluctance to leave such a hard life suggest about human adaptability, and about fear of the unknown?