37 pages • 1 hour read
Louise FitzhughHarriet the Spy
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1964A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Describe Harriet’s spying activities. Whom does she follow, and what does she learn? How does her attitude toward the subjects she spies on change during the novel?
Who is Ole Golly, and what role does she play in Harriet’s life?
Discuss Harriet’s evolving understanding of the concept of empathy. Give examples from the story to show both her progress and her limitations in experiencing empathy.
How does writing drive the plot forward? Use several examples to illustrate your point.
Write a character sketch of Harriet as if you were spying on her, using the same superficial approach she uses early in the novel. Based on her actions, what is important to her in life? What is not important? How does this sketch differ from the truth of her emotions?
In considering the theme of observation versus understanding, think of several instances in which Harriet’s behavior illustrates the critical difference between the two.
Mr. Welsch is generally absent from the story, but he participates in scenes that play an important role in Harriet’s emotional growth. Describe his role in the development of her emotional maturity.
Beyond the quirks associated with each character that are detailed in this guide, what habits do other characters display? What function do these habits fulfill in defining the characters?
Words are powerful. Discuss two instances in the novel that indicate the constructive and destructive power of language.
