46 pages • 1 hour read
Ben OkriIn the Shadow of War
Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1983A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Essay Questions
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. At the center of this story is a woman who wears a black veil over her head and face.
- What is the significance of the black veil in the story? (topic sentence)
- Discuss how the author uses the black veil as a symbol and as a means of characterizing the woman. Provide several examples from the story and explain how the black veil functions in each scene.
- In your concluding sentences, connect the symbolism of the veil to the theme of Uncovering Truth.
2. The actions of the soldiers reveal to Omovo some difficult truths about war and about people.
- What is the main role of the three soldiers in the story? (topic sentence)
- Using at least three pieces of evidence from the text, explain how the soldiers’ actions reveal what they value or do not value. Consider both positive and negative actions.
- In your conclusion, explain how the soldiers’ actions develop the theme of The Ambiguity of Morality in Times of War.
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. “In the Shadow of War” takes place on the eve of a lunar eclipse. Discuss how the eclipse functions in the story. Consider such elements as mood, symbolism, foreshadowing, and theme. Support your analysis with evidence from the text.
2. Discuss how the story’s events develop the theme of Motivations of Loyalty. How do various characters demonstrate their loyalty? What is the motivation behind each example of loyalty? Support your analysis with specific details from the text.
