character motivations
This basketball player in The Crossover stops playing because he's worried about his father's health, not because he dislikes the sport.
Answer: Who is Josh Bell?
In The Crossover, the twins argue about basketball and girls, but the main family tension centers around this person's health.
their father/Chuck Bell?
The Crossover teaches about family bonds and growing up, but this sport serves as the main metaphor throughout the story.
Answer: What is basketball?
In Antigone, she defies Creon's law to honor family duty, even though she knows the punishment is death.
Answer: Who is Antigone?
The ancient burial rites are important to Antigone, but this is the specific family member she's trying to honor.
Answer: Who is Polyneices (her brother)?
Antigone explores the conflict between human law and divine law, but this character represents the dangers of absolute power.
Answer: Who is Creon?
Romeo falls in love with Juliet at first sight, but this was NOT the reason he attended the Capulet party.
(He went to see Rosaline)
Romeo and Juliet's families hate each other, but we can infer the feud continues because of this, not just old grudges.
Answer: What is pride/honor/stubbornness?
Based on how quickly Romeo and Juliet fall in love and make major decisions, Shakespeare seems to be commenting on this aspect of youth.
Answer: What is impulsiveness/rushing into things?
Based on Josh's behavior when JB gets a girlfriend, we can infer he feels this emotion, though he never directly states it.
Answer: What is jealousy/abandonment?
When Josh's father collapses, this detail from earlier in the story makes the event less surprising to careful readers.
Answer: What are the warning signs/symptoms he ignored?
When Josh learns to forgive JB after their father's death, this suggests the story's message about what matters most.
Answer: What is family/brotherhood/love?
When Creon finally changes his mind about Antigone's punishment, this detail suggests his true motivation.
Answer: What is fear of the gods/Tiresias's prophecy?
Though both Antigone and Ismene love their brother, this difference in their personalities explains their opposite choices.
Answer: What is Antigone's courage vs. Ismene's caution/fear?
All three works show characters facing impossible choices, suggesting this universal theme about growing up.
Answer: What is that difficult decisions/moral dilemmas are part of maturing?