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47 pages 1 hour read

Alive

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 1974

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Essay Topics

1.

The victims of the plane crash are largely made up of a rugby team. What role does sport play in the survivors’ ability to deal with the difficulty of their situation?

2.

Liliana and Javier Methol are the oldest survivors, and they hold out the longest from eating human meat. How does their age affect their decision whether to commit cannibalism?

3.

Marcelo Perez is the captain of the rugby team. How does he fall from his leadership position? How do others step into the power vacuum?

4.

The survivors try and fail to make expeditions away from the crash site. How do the failed expeditions inform the eventual success of Canessa and Parrado’s journey?

5.

Those chosen to lead the expedition enjoy certain privileges among the survivors. How do these privileges breed resentment?

6.

Roy Harley is initially considered for an expedition. How does his failure to qualify for the expedition lead to his mental breakdown?

7.

While Canessa and Parrado are far from friends, they achieve great things together. How does their enmity propel them toward their goal?

8.

Canessa and Parrado are found by a Chilean farmer. How does the hospitality of the Chileans illustrate the survivors’ return to humanity?

9.

The families search for the survivors and struggle to achieve success. How does their refusal to give up mirror the survivors’ own determination to survive?

10.

How do the survivors react to the social disgust at their choice to resort to cannibalism? 

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