THEME
Thinking about Zero and Stanley's relationship and using the terms "friendship" and "loyalty," create a theme statement for Holes.
Friendship and honesty help people survive difficult situations.
Why is Stanley's relationship with Zero important to the conflict of Holes?
Their relationship helps the boys survive in the desert and uncover the truth about the treasure and Stanley’s family history.
Based on the events at Camp Green Lake, what can be inferred about the Warden’s true motivation for having the boys dig holes?
She is searching for a specific item her ancestors searched for rather than just punishing the boys.
How does the discovery of the suitcase change the plot near the end of the novel?
It brings together the story of Stanley's family and the Warden's search for treasure.
Why are the flashbacks important?
They explain how the past connects to the present story.
What examples in the novel show a theme of unfair treatment or injustice?
The novel shows that unfairness from the past can affect the present, but people can still make things right.
Elya Yelnats broke a promise to Madame Zeroni.
Sam and Katherine Barlow’s story changed Green Lake forever.
The treasure connects the past and present stories.
How does Stanley change over the course of the novel?
He learns to act bravely and make decisions for someone besides himself (Zero)
In the final chapters of the novel, the narrative shifts rapidly between the discovery of the suitcase and the arrival of Stanley’s lawyer. How does this sequence of scenes contribute to the resolution of the plot?
It creates a sense of urgency and shows how the different storylines—past and present—finally collide to free Stanley and Zero.
Throughout the first half of the novel, the author alternates between Stanley’s life at Camp Green Lake and the story of his great-great-grandfather, Elya Yelnats, in Latvia. How does this specific sequence of chapters contribute to the development of the plot?
It explains the origin of the "family curse" to show that Stanley’s current situation is a result of historical events.
What did readers learn was the result of Katherine and Sam falling in love?
Their relationship upset some people in town because of racism and prejudice.
Hattie Parker saw Sam kiss Katherine and spread the news which led the townspeople to turn against Sam and Katherine.
Stanley's courage grows throughout the story as he becomes braver. What examples support this theme?
Stands up to the camp counselors
Follows Zero into the desert
Carries Zero up the mountain
Refuses to leave Zero behind
How does Hector Zeroni (Zero) change from the beginning of then novel when readers first meet him to the end of the novel?
Trusts Stanley
Learns to read from Stanley
Feels accepted
Becomes part of a friendship
When Zero confesses that he was the one who actually stole the sneakers, what does this reveal about the relationship between "fate" and the two boys?
It implies that their lives were destined to cross so that Stanley could finally resolve the Yelnats family's curse/debt.
In Chapters 25 and 26, the author transitions from the present day to the historical story of Sam and Katherine Barlow in the town of Green Lake. How does this sequence of scenes contribute to the development of the setting?
It establishes that the desert of Camp Green Lake was once a beautiful, thriving town, emphasizing the impact of the long drought.
What events happened as a result of the townspeople killing Sam?
His death changed Katherine forever and led to the destruction of Green Lake.
Katherine became “Kissin’ Kate Barlow.”
She became an outlaw and robber after losing Sam.
How does Zero develop a sense of belonging during the novel?
At first, Zero feels ignored and alone, but through his loyal friendship with Stanley, he begins to trust others and feel accepted and valued.
What is the importance of knowing Katherine Barlow was once a teacher in Green Lake?
This shows that Green Lake was once a thriving town.
After Stanley and Zero escape into the desert, they find shelter on "God’s Thumb," where they survive on onions and muddy water. During this time, Stanley spends many hours carrying Zero and talking to him, even though they are both exhausted and starving. Based on these actions, what can the reader infer about the importance of their friendship to their survival?
The emotional support they provide for each other gives them the mental strength to keep going when their bodies are ready to give up.
What does carrying Zero up the mountain symbolize?
Friendship, loyalty, sacrifice, and breaking the family curse.
What is the connection between Kissin' Kate Barlow and Elya Yelnats in the flashback?
Kissin’ Kate Barlow robbed Stanley Yelnats’s great-grandfather which connects the Yelnats family history to the treasure and the curse.
How does Stanley's choice to save Zero most affect the plot?
Stanley’s decision to leave camp to find Zero resulted in them surviving in the desert, discovering the suitcase, and uncovering the truth about the treasure and Stanley’s family history.
What are some character traits readers learn about Sam in the flashbacks?
Sam was an onion seller who fixed things around town and thought onions were a medical remedy.
Sam was kind, hardworking, and well liked by many people.
Based on the narrator's description of the "Yellow-Spotted Lizards," what inference can the reader make about the danger they pose to the characters?
A single bite from a lizard is a death sentence, which creates constant underlying tension for the boys' survival.
How does the author's choice to sequence the short, informative chapters about the yellow-spotted lizards throughout the book contribute to the development of the plot?
They provide critical information about the setting's dangers, which creates suspense and explains why the boys are safe at the end.
Stanley and Zero’s friendship connects their families’ histories and helps end the curse from the past. Describe the relationships between characters in the flashbacks to characters in the present.
Madame Zeroni helped Elya by giving him a pig and instructions. Madame Zeroni is Zero's great great grandson.
Elya’s broken promise to Madame Zeroni causes the Yelnats family curse, which affects Stanley’s life and leads him to Camp Green Lake. Elya is Stanley's great great grandfather
The Warden is Trout Walker’s granddaughter. Like Trout, she is obsessed with finding Kissin' Kate Barlow’s hidden treasure in Green Lake.