The School For Good and Evil

The title and central focus of the novel is good and evil. Sophie and Agatha attend a school where students are divided into these categories. What does it mean to be good? Which character is the most good? Consider the questions below as you develop your thoughts:

• How would different characters define good?
• If a character fits their own definition of good, does that make them good?
• When do the teachers and students in the School for Good act evil?
• When do the teachers and characters in the School for Evil act good?

Teaching Suggestion: This question gets to the heart of the theme of The Complex Nature of Good and Evil. Exploring different definitions of good illustrates that there is no absolute, which is why it may be beneficial to reflect on how the characters demonstrate that no one is perfect. This discussion might be an opportunity to return to the Personal Connection Prompt. Students could revisit their ideas and reflect on any shifts in their thinking. Participating in another philosophical line with quotes from the novel would be one way to extend this discussion.

Differentiation Suggestion: English language learners, students with dyslexia, or those with attentional differences might benefit from a short list of relevant scenes.