Shadow and Bone

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. What definition might be suitable for the phrase social hierarchy? How might different cultures view social hierarchy? What impact might social hierarchy have on individuals and communities? 

Teaching Suggestion: Alina, the protagonist of the novel, is a mapmaker in the First Army, a division of non-magic people who serve the King. The setting is based on 19th-century Tsarist Russia, and the Fold, an accidental magic division created by the Black Heretic, prevents the monarchy of Ravka from creating a unified force. The Second Army, composed of magic people called Grisha, has luxuries the First Army does not have access to. The Grisha feel superior to the First Army and the peasants outside of the palace because of their magic and closeness to the King. As part of the introduction to the novel, it may be beneficial for students to discuss their descriptions of social hierarchy as a concept, what creates division in different cultures, and how those divisions impact communities.

• The first two sections of this scholarly article describe what social hierarchy is and provides language for discussion.
• This article outlines the social structure in Tsarist Russia. 

2. What are different ways people might cultivate a sense of belonging? What are instances in which people might feel as though they don’t belong? What barriers might exist to prevent people from belonging somewhere? 

Teaching Suggestion: Alina is discovered to have powerful magic and is removed from her role in the First Army and placed in the Second Army. She has difficulty transitioning because of the shift in her role in society and the differences in lifestyle and people she encounters. Alina’s separation from her best friend Mal makes her feel as though she doesn’t belong in her new role. Consider discussing the importance of belonging, when people feel as though they don’t belong, and barriers that exist that might prevent belonging.

• This article explains why it is important to have a sense of belonging.
• This 5-minute video expresses the belief that part of belonging is ensuring others belong as well.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the novel.

Describe a time when you had an experience that made you feel as though you didn’t fit in. What happened during the incident? What are steps you took or might have taken to bridge the isolation you felt in that situation? What circumstances in your interaction caused your isolation? Is it possible to belong in every situation? Why or why not?

Teaching Suggestion: Alina, who was orphaned at a young age, feels a close connection to her friend, Mal, who was also orphaned. Alina’s connection to Mal is described as feeling like “home.” Consider allowing students to draw on personal experience to empathize with Alina’s rapidly changing environment in the novel. Students may wish to share experiences, such as moving to a new school or meeting new people for the first time. 

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who require an additional challenge may wish to explore difficulties that can arise from varying social norms between classes. Consider encouraging the students to research social class, the norms among social classes, and the difficulties those who interact with other classes may face. Examples in history might serve as supplemental information to share with the class.