The Winter Room | Topics for Discussion & Projects

The Winter Room Suggested Essay Topics

1. The chapter titles about the seasons are printed in italics; the others are in plain text. What does the difference imply?

2. "Tuning" wishes that books had smells and sounds and light, but they cannot. What do they have instead, which is ultimately better?

3. Does Eldon appreciate all four seasons equally?

4. Characterize the relationship between Eldon and Wayne.

5. Why is the winter room the most important room in the house?

6. Mother says that "stories are not so much for believing as to be believed in"? What is the difference?

7. Are there common elements of plot, theme, or characterization in the stories of "Alida," "Orud the Terrible," "Crazy Alen," and "The Woodcutter"?

8. Is Paulsen's device of letting the conflict between the boys and Uncle David be enacted indirectly better than...
(read more)