Son of a Trickster

Jared has several opportunities to escape the volatile family situation that prevents him from living a better life. Describe each of the obstacles that keep Jared from leaving. Explain what complications could arise if he did leave. At the conclusion of the novel, many of the circumstances that would have helped Jared leave have changed. How might the changes in those circumstances prevent Jared from leaving as his character grows stronger and more independent? What options does Jared have for living a better life?

Teaching Suggestion: Students may want to begin by first listing all the relevant circumstances in the novel they can remember before looking back at the text. This may help them to analyze the novel chronologically, as Jared’s reasons for staying change based on the characters and situations around him. Students may want to refer to some of the paired resources for the novel, as generational addiction, generational poverty, and family dysfunction all play a major role in Jared’s decision to stay and his inability to leave.

Differentiation Suggestion: For students who require additional assistance with organizing their ideas, consider permitting students to use the chart below to guide their thinking.

Event / Jared’s Reaction/Feelings

Jared’s father is in debt.

Example response: Jared feels that his family needs him to survive and that he must sell drugs to help them.

Jared’s mother is upset when he speaks with Sophia and his father.

Jared and his mother abuse drugs and alcohol together.

Jared is attached to his neighbors and their granddaughter, Sarah.

Jared’s mother decides to get sober after a bad binge.

Jared discovers that Sophia is not his real grandmother.

Sophia believes Jared is the son of the Trickster.

Jared realizes his visions are real.

Jared’s mother is often in danger because of abusive boyfriends.

Jared’s mother frequently points out that she has done many things for Jared and would kill to protect him.