Use this activity to engage all types of learners, while requiring that they refer to and incorporate details from the text over the course of the activity.

"A Matter of Perspective”

In this activity, students will rewrite a scene from the novel in a shifted perspective.

In his quest to discover The Elements of a Meaningful Life, Crispin relies on his own memories and experiences as well as Bear’s counsel and example. However, the question of what makes for a meaningful life can also be approached from the opposite angle: What makes for a life that lacks meaning?

To explore this point and, remembering Bear’s declaration that human souls contain both “bad and good” (97), select and rewrite one or more scenes from the novel that feature Aycliffe, replacing Crispin’s narration with Aycliffe’s thoughts.

• Record Aycliffe’s thoughts in first person as though he were the narrator.
• As you do so, consider the motivations and beliefs that guide Aycliffe’s actions.
• Create Aycliffe’s tone and voice in describing the events in question through word choice and expression.

After rewriting the scene from Aycliffe’s perspective, journal about your experience. What did you realize about Aycliffe and, by contrast, about Crispin? From his perspective, can Aycliffe’s life be categorized as meaningful or satisfying? What changes could Aycliffe have made to make his life more meaningful?