A Wrinkle In Time

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the novel over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. In Chapter 2, Mr. Jenkins calls Meg “the most belligerent, uncooperative child in school.” Is this a complete and accurate description of her character? 

• What is true about Meg that might make teachers and peers misinterpret her character? (topic sentence)
• Select details from the text that show there is more to Meg’s character than her anger. How do people see her at home? Across the universe?
• In your final sentences, explain how L’Engle uses Meg’s character to highlight that people and things can seem one way, but actually be another way (i.e., It’s Not What Things Look Like; It’s What They Are Like).

2. L’Engle implies that each of the Mrs. Ws has a backstory that may or may not be the same. On the planet Ixchel, the children have a difficult time explaining the Mrs. Ws to the beings there.

• What or who are Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which? (topic sentence)
• Select examples from the text to explain your answer. Focus on what the Mrs. W’s do for the children, their personalities, how they speak, and how they help. Consider the novel’s motifs of darkness versus light. How might that help explain the Mrs. Ws?
• Do you think such beings exist in our Universe? Why or why not?

3. Charles Wallace and Calvin O’Keefe are both “sports,” or a genetic change in their family lineage. This change gives them traits previous generations did not have.

• Compare and contrast Charles Wallace and Calvin O’Keefe. How are they alike? How are they different? (topic sentence)
• Look closely at conversations between the two boys to draw evidence for your comparisons.
• In the closing sentences, discuss how the differences between the two boys impact how they rise and fall in the face of challenges.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Throughout A Wrinkle in Time, the Mrs. Ws represent light and goodness. Yet, they are powerless on Camazotz, a planet overtaken by darkness. This contrasts with the popular idea that light is stronger than darkness. Why do you think L’Engle chose to make the Mrs. Ws powerless on Camazotz? Based on Meg’s decision to go back to Camazotz, what is L’Engle’s message about personal power? How might this relate to the theme Only You Can Rescue Yourself?

2.  The novel includes references to religion and spiritualism. Beings from planets other than Earth seem to subscribe to Earth religions. Discuss the role of religion in L’Engle’s universe.

3. What role does the Happy Medium play in Chapter 6? What impact does her appearance have on the themes of the novel? Explain the significance of the name “Happy Medium” and how it connects to the advice Meg got from her family (to find a happy medium) before she left home.