Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Cory Doctorow.

2. What in Doctorow's background may have helped him in writing "Little Brother"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

Essay Topic 2

Marcus is trying to get help for his friend, Darryl, who has apparently been stabbed in the melee in the BART station. Instead of helping, however, the people who stop hold the teens at gunpoint, shackle them and place hoods over their heads so that they won't know where they are being taken.

In the days that follow, Marcus is tortured in a way so as to force him to make a confession. Again, Marcus shows his savvy and understanding of the American justice system by asking for what he has been arrested. He also asks to see his lawyer. The lady with whom he deals indicates to him that he has no right to ask for either of these things. The conditions under which Marcus is held are similar to those in a torture camp. He is not given food or drink, not allowed to shower, and is not given contact with any people other than his guards. When his hands are shackled behind his back so long that he urinates on himself, Marcus is made to feel dirty and bad because of his actions when he is taken back to the interrogation room. After he finally signs the papers ensuring him his freedom, Marcus indicates that after both his privacy and dignity were taken from him, he probably would have signed a confession to killing Abraham Lincoln.

1. Discuss where this type of abduction by authorities exist or have occurred in the past. (Research may be required). Use examples from your own life and "Little Brother" to support your reasoning.

2. Do you think the government should be allowed to abduct citizens and torture them without a trial or a lawyer? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and "Little Brother" to support your reasoning.

3. Do you think a situation like the one above could ever occur in this country at the present time? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and "Little Brother" to support your reasoning.

4. What do you think citizens need to do in a country to insure their government does not engage in the above type of actions? Use examples from your own life and "Little Brother" to support your reasoning.