Over the course of the novel, Johnny learns to overcome his pride and place others before himself. How does Johnny develop into a humble, empathetic protagonist?

Consider the following questions before you respond to the question in bold.

• At the beginning of the story, how does Johnny behave pridefully?
• How does Johnny injure his hand, and how does this prideful accident change his life?
• What events and details from the middle of the novel show that Johnny is becoming more humble and learning to care about others?
• By the end of the story, how does the reader know that Johnny will humbly place others’ needs over his own desires?

Teaching Suggestion: This prompt asks students to trace Johnny’s character development over the course of the novel. If your students are ready for terms like “round,” “flat,” “static,” and “dynamic,” you might introduce these and ask students to use them in their discussion of the protagonist’s growth. More advanced students might also be encouraged to make a connection between Learning Humility and Empathy and another of the novel’s main themes, Self-Sacrifice for the Greater Good and Surviving in a Changing World.

Differentiation Suggestion: English language learners and students with attentional challenges, executive function challenges, or difficulties with written expression may benefit from time to discuss the questions and look for evidence in the text with a partner before attempting to write answers.