Hollow Fires

Nate and Richard are influenced by white supremacist readings of Friedrich Nietzsche’s work. Analyze an excerpt of Nietzsche’s writing, identifying how Nietzschean ideas affected Nate and Richard. Be sure to directly reference Nietzsche’s work, explaining his ideas in your own words to support your argument.

In Mr. Terkel’s class, Nate and Safiya discuss freedom of speech in private and public schools. Discuss current American laws about free speech versus hate speech in American schools. Include at least one court case to support your argument.

Safiya and Jawad both describe each other as “shining” in the final part of the narrative. Trace the imagery of “light” and “sun” across the novel. What effect does the author achieve through this image? How does it support the central themes in the novel?

Samira Ahmed references real-world events in Hollow Fires. Identify at least three real-world events in the text and explain their effect on the narrative. Why does Ahmed include real-world references?

Hollow Fires is inspired by the 1924 Leopold & Loeb murder case. Identify at least two additional sources on this case outside of the author’s historical note. In what ways is Leopold & Loeb similar to Nate and Richard’s trial? How are they different?

At the beginning of the novel, Safiya says that her journalism professor advised her not to report on the story because she was too emotionally involved. Discuss the concept of objectivity in journalism and make an argument for against the professor’s position. Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.

Imagine if Nate and Richard had not been sentenced. What does the media coverage of the trial and its portrayal of Nate and Richard demonstrate about The Power of Journalism and the Court of Public Opinion?

Safiya has a largely flat character arc. She embodies the central message of the novel that youth can use their voices to make change and fight for justice against systems of oppression—as highlighted by the novel’s discussion of The Intersection of Wealth and Race in America. Identify a character with a positive arc, who learns this lesson from Safiya. How do they grow throughout the story?