Did you think Ivan’s thoughts were actually like what animals in captivity think? If not, what thoughts do you think they have?
TBD
100
Why is Ivan reluctant to join the other gorillas when he arrives at the zoo?
TBD
100
“I’ve learned not to get my hopes up.”
TBD
100
“With enough time, you can get used to almost anything.”
TBD
100
territory
What is domain?
200
Why do people pay for Ivan’s drawings if they don’t’ recognize what he has drawn? Why are Ivan’s art important to Mack?
TBD
200
When Ivan is about to go to the zoo, Mack goes to him and says, "We had some laughs didn't we, guy" and "I'm going to miss you Ivan". What do you think Mack is feeling?
TBD
200
“They think I'm too old to cause trouble. Old age is a powerful disguise.”
TBD
200
“Someday, I hope I can draw the way Julia draws, imagining worlds that don’t yet exist."
TBD
200
stuffed toy gorilla
What is Not-Tag
300
Why do you think Mack never showed Ivan the gorilla show that Maya showed him?
TBD
300
Why does the Billboard sign show Ivan as angry and fierce? What does Ivan think about the artist’s representation of him?
TBD
300
“Humans waste words. They toss them like banana peels and leave them to rot. Everyone knows the peels are the best part.”
TBD
300
“Growing up gorilla is just like any other kind of growing up. You make mistakes. You play. You learn. You do it all over again.”
TBD
300
(slang; offensive): am human (refers to sweat on hairless skin)
What is a slimy chimp?
400
Why does Bob not like humans? Why is he so independent? Why does Bob always remind Ivan that he is the one and only Ivan?
TBD
400
What is the importance of the television in Ivan’s cage? What does he like or learn from watching TV?
TBD
400
“My life is flashing lights and pointing fingers and uninvited visitors. Inches away, humans flatten their little hands against the wall of glass that separates us. The glass says you are this and we are that and that is how it will always be.”
TBD
400
“Memories are precious ... they help tell us who we are.”
TBD
400
snorting, piglike noise made by gorilla parents to express annoyance.
What is the Grunt?
500
Why does Ivan promise Stella that he will take care of Ruby when he knows how hard it will be to keep that promise?
TBD
500
What did you think of Julia? Why does Julia and Ivan have a special bond?
TBD
500
“It's hard to put into words. Gorillas are not complainers. We're dreamers, poets, philosophers, nap takers.”
TBD
500
“I know what most humans think. They think gorillas don’t have imaginations. They think we don’t remember our pasts or ponder our futures.”