Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay. 

Scaffolded/Short-Answer Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the book over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Consider the role of propaganda in Left to Tell, and how it amplifies the Hutus’ message of hate.

• How does propaganda relate to the theme of Cyclical Violence and hatred between different groups? (topic sentence)
• Discuss 3 examples from the text in which propaganda is used against the Tutsis. What are the results of these uses of propaganda, directly and indirectly?
• What conclusions can you draw about Hutu-Tutsi conflict, based on these examples of propaganda before and during the genocide?

2. Chapter 13 is called “A Gathering of Orphans.” In it, Immaculée tells of all the children who have been left without parents—including herself—after the genocide.

• What does Immaculée seem to be saying about the connection between orphans, Learned Prejudice, and violence? (topic sentence)
• Describe Immaculée’s experiences in the French refugee camps. Cite and explain 2-3 of her observations and conclusions regarding prejudice and hatred.