Day 1

The Zoo Story Lesson Plan

Discussion of Thought Questions

  1. 1

    Who is Peter? Analyze his character so far.

    Students should collectively identify the concrete facts of his life: wife and kids, pets, address, publishing job, etc. Next, discuss Peter's possible motivations, beliefs - what does he want? Why does he do the things he does? Begin to consider the question of why Peter is engaging with Jerry/putting up with him. Additionally, students may interrogate Peter's class privilege: Peter is secure, safe, comfortable, well-off, in contrast to Jerry's life of poverty and instability.

  2. 2

    What are your first impressions of Jerry? Why?

    Jerry might seem funny or frightening, relatable or confounding, tragic or villainous -...

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