Tunes for Bears to Dance To

Why might Robert Cormier have chosen to make Mr. Hairston so unambiguously evil, rather than a character with mixed flaws and virtues? What does Cormier imply about his motivations?

On several occasions Henry keeps secrets from his mother. Does the novel suggest he is justified in doing so? How does this relate to the theme of The Inadequacy of Language?

Cormier often uses similes and metaphors in his descriptions. Pick three from different chapters and explain their effect on the scene in which they occur.

Research the Cold War–era nuclear arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. How does this backdrop inform Henry’s fear of the atomic bomb?

Characters frequently use the euphemisms “sad” and “sadness” to describe Mr. Cassavant’s depression. Why is it so difficult for the family to confront his illness?

What draws Henry to Mr. Levine? What role does shared suffering play in the novel broadly? How does it develop the novel’s ideas about choosing goodness?

How does the novel contrast Henry with his deceased brother? What purpose do these comparisons serve?

What role does Henry’s religious faith play in the novel? How does it support the novel’s themes?