Name: Date: Block:

Pre-Reading Questions for “The Destructors”

1. What hardships did the people of London endure during WW II?

2. What could be fun about completely destroying something?

3. Why will a crowd of people sometimes do things that none of them would do individually?

4. Why is it sometimes hard for teenagers to understand what older people value?

5. Why do we sometimes laugh at mean jokes?

6. Do you think that growing up in the ruins of war would make a person more respectful or less
respectful of beautiful things?
 Interpreting Words

Creation: the act of making something new and original; a thing produced by intelligence or skill.

The boys in Old Misery’s house are described as working “with the seriousness of creators – and
destruction after all is a form of creation.”

In a single well-developed paragraph, respond to the following:

*What is new or original about the destruction of Old Misery’s House?

*Why does it require intelligence or skill to destroy it?
*Why does the destruction of Old Misery’s house by the boys seem more senseless than the
destruction brought on by war?

Discussion Questions

1. Why does Trevor want to destroy Old Misery’s house completely?

2. Why does it take two leaders – Trevor and Blackie – to complete the destruction of the house?
3. Why does the author present the destruction of Old Misery’s house as both vandalism and a
work of creation?

Writing After Discussion

*must link to the story through short quotations, paraphrased references

*must use a thesis statement; paragraph must be well-organized
*approximately 200 words

Choose ONE of the following:

1. Do you think there is anything funny about what the boys do to Old Misery’s house?
2. Does Trevor have potential, or is he hopeless?
3. Do you think that destroying the house is a creative act?
4. Why do some people use their special talents and knowledge for destructive purposes?
5. Write the sentence you would pronounce on Trevor if you were a judge and justify it. Would
you give the same sentence to Blackie? Explain.

Planning My Thoughts…