The Wife Of His Youth

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 bulleted outlines below. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Describe the historical setting of Chesnutt’s story, “The Wife of His Youth.”

• How does the time period shape the plot and the characters? (topic sentence)
• Select one character and describe how this person is shaped by the historical setting of the story.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, discuss how this person’s characterization speaks to the context of Post-Reconstruction in the American North.

2. Consider the impact the history of slavery has on the lives of the characters.

• How do the characters respond differently as they navigate life after enslavement in the US? (topic sentence)
• Select one character and provide 2-3 examples of how slavery impacts this person’s decisions.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, consider the message Chesnutt conveys about the impact of Slavery on Black communities.

3. In order for a person to join the Blue Vein Society, certain standards and expectations related to color must be met.

• Are the members of the Blue Vein Society and Mr. Ryder guilty of internalized racism/colorism? (topic sentence)
• Find 2 examples and explain how those examples support your claim.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, discuss how the Blue Vein Society is linked to Chesnutt’s overall point regarding Colorism.

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. Consider the way in which Chesnutt weaves dialect into his characterization. What are the implications of the background of characters based on the way they speak? How do these different dialects connect with the concerns of Mr. Ryder and the Blue Vein Society?

2. Prior to his meeting with Liza, Mr. Ryder references his goal of “absorption.” Explain Mr. Ryder’s goal. Why is it important to him? Does his decision at the end of the story go against this goal? Why or why not?

3. Throughout the story, Chesnutt uses situational, dramatic, and verbal irony. What role does irony play within the story? Why would Chesnutt include irony as a motif? How does irony help readers understand the personality, motives, or traits of the characters?