The Night Watchman

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

Pre-Reading “Icebreaker”

What does “emancipation” mean? In what contexts have you heard it used before? Is it a good thing or a bad thing? Why might a person or group not want to be emancipated?

Teaching Suggestion: Emancipation versus termination is a recurring motif in The Night Watchman, and this prompt is designed to introduce students to understanding how language might be used to hide true intentions, as they’ll later see with House Concurrent Resolution 108. You can also return to this activity after students have read the novel and ask them how they might now define “emancipation” differently.

Personal Response Prompt

When learning about Indigenous peoples’ history, it is important to understand that Indigenous cultures are still being destroyed even today. Now that you’ve finished The Night Watchman, consider how this novel encourages us as readers to advocate for Indigenous peoples’ rights. What small steps might we take in our community?

Teaching Suggestion: This is a good way to help students to understand that part of not re-colonizing Indigenous history is thinking about ways to engage with Indigenous communities in a respectful way. This activity can help students understand that they should take what they have learned and use it to help in the struggle Indigenous peoples still face today.