The Destructors

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. Although the Wormsley Common Gang is comprised of young boys, the gang treats the leadership of their group with severity.

• How does the balance of power of the gang’s leadership change throughout the course of the story? (topic sentence)
• Identify and analyze two key moments in which both the leader as well as the leadership style of the gang changes.
• In which ways does the continual transfer of power among the boys speak to the larger theme of The Dangers of Populism?

2. Within the surrounding chaos of the post-WWII setting, the gang uses structure and order as a part of their decision-making process.

• In what ways does this gang represent the role of science and secularism in post-WWII Britain? (topic sentence)
• Find one or two examples from the text to substantiate your point in discussion and analysis.
• In which ways does this representation of British history connect with the theme of The Illusion of Order?

3. Consider the gang’s desire to destroy Old Misery’s property.

• What does the gang value, above all? (topic sentence)
• Address one or two examples to substantiate your point.
• How does the gang’s value and focus imply The End of Innocence?

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. Consider the role of dark humor within the story. Overall, do you consider the story comical? In particular, is the ending funny? Why or why not? Analyze Graham Greene’s use of humor throughout the story, as well as if you believe he intended his story to be comical.

2. Compare and contrast the destruction of the house with the destruction of London during the Blitz. In which ways were these destructive acts deliberate? What comparisons did Greene want to draw between the devastating effects of WWII on the economies of Europe and the destruction of houses?

3. Greene’s story is an example of an allegory of religion and science in society. Consider the religious elements in the story. What are some of the allusions made to religion? How does this story treat religion in general and Catholicism in particular? Share examples from the text to substantiate your point.