To come up with provocative questions, check out what's happening in the story and what big ideas are being talked about or hinted at. Then, try asking some questions starting with "Why," "How," and "What if." Or, zero in on certain events and statements in the story that seem important, and ask things like, "What does _____ reveal about _____?" or "If you were in that situation, how would you react? Why?" or "What is the author really trying to express when _____?"
Let's check out some examples. I'll go ahead and include some from Chapter 3, also, since that one is rich in ideas, while Chapter 5 is rather short:
From Chapter 3:
Look at how Phillip's mother reacts calmly to the ship being torpedoed, "not at all like she was at home." What does her reaction reveal about her character? How do you think her reaction made Phillip feel? Why? If you were Phillip's mom, would you react the same way? Why or why not?
Phillip regains consciousness and realizes that he and the stranger are alone together on the raft, his mother gone. Look at how he first perceives Timothy: "His face couldn't have been blacker." What do Phillip's thoughts reveal about his knowledge, experience, and/or misconceptions about West Indian people or black people? If this is how Phillip thinks in the beginning of the story, and if most main characters experience major changes in their thinking by the end of the story, then how might Phillip change?
Consider how Stew Cat came to be on the raft: Timothy didn't have the heart to throw him off, and has been taking care of him ever since. What does this reveal about Timothy's character? Notice, too, that Phillip also likes to pet Stew Cat. Why do you think the author includes these details?
Notice how Timothy thinks it's good luck that he and Phillip do have a few rations on their raft. Phillip disagrees that their luck is good. Who do you think is more correct? Why? What does the difference in their opinions reveal about these two characters?
If it was a white man who wanted to ration the water supply carefully instead of a black man, do you think Phillip, thirsty and frustrated, would have reacted in the same childish way as he did in this chapter? Why or why not?
At the end of the chapter, Phillip is looking for someone to blame for his frustrating situation. Why do you think he blames his mother? Who (or what) might be a better target for his blame? Why?
From Chapter 4:
Consider Phillip's description of his experiences in "colored town." Why do you think the author is including these details? What do they reveal about Phillip's thinking? If Phillip's friend Henrik is "easier" around black people, why do you think that's so, and why isn't Phillip more relaxed around them?
To stay warm, Phillip and Timothy sleep with their backs up against one another. Why didn't they do this before? Could this action be symbolic in some way? What does it mean, or why is it important, aside from the fact that they were both warmer than before?
Phillip goes blind. What could this event symbolize?
Do you think Timothy is lying when he tells Phillip the anecdote about his friend who had gone blind and then regained his sight after a few days? Why or why not? Either way, what does the anecdote reveal about Timothy?
From Chapter 5:
Consider this quote: "We were alone again on the ocean." Why do you think the author wrote such a short sentence in a paragraph all by itself?
Look at how the sharks are always present around the raft, yet they're invisible to Phillip. Yes, these are literal sharks, but what idea could the sharks also represent?
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