A Wolf Called Wander

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

1. The term “Bildungsroman” was popularized by the philosopher Wilhelm Dilthey in 1905. “Bildung” is the German word for “education,” and “roman” means “novel.” What do you think this term might mean? If you’re unfamiliar with it, given the origins of the word—can you hazard a guess about what it refers to? What are some popular examples of Bildungsromans?

Teaching Suggestion: A “Bildungsroman” is a coming-of-age tale in which the young protagonist experiences growth and education as they move from childhood to adulthood. Some of the most classic Bildungsroman examples are Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. Make sure that students come to understand, broadly, what this literary term refers to, and in doing so, guide them to see how, even though A Wolf Called Wander is a tale about wolves, it is still part of a larger tradition of coming-of-age stories.

• Students can read the official definition of “Bildungsroman” from Merriam-Webster.
• In this MasterClass article, the 4 phases typical of the structure of a Bildungsroman (loss, journey, conflict and personal growth, and maturity) are defined.

Differentiation Suggestion: For ELL, different learners, and any other students who might benefit from a more visual explanation, this video on YouTube that gives a brief graphic overview of this literary term may be helpful.

2. When it comes to the “food chain” in the natural world, humans are often placed at the very top. What, exactly, is the “food chain,” and what does it mean to be at the top?

Teaching Suggestion: When separated from his pack, Wander must discover his Identity Within the Context of the Natural World, which often involves his coming to terms with his own place within the food chain. The “food chain” refers to the predator-prey hierarchical system within nature, where organisms are dependent on one another as a source of food. Predators are located higher on the food chain; prey are at the bottom of the food chain. Ask students where they envision various animals found within A Wolf Called Wander on the food chain, which include elk, horses, ravens, and, of course, wolves.

• Smithsonian’s “Where Do Humans Really Rank on the Food Chain?” argues that humans are, in reality, closer to the middle of the food chain.
• Discover’s “Who Is at the Top of the Food Chain?” emphasizes that humans “aren’t even that close” to the top of the food chain.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

From peacekeeper to troublemaker, there are many unofficial “roles” that people come to occupy within their family. Reflect upon yourself and your own family. What would you say is your primary role within the family? How does your role help your family function? Has your role changed over time, as you’ve gotten older?

Teaching Suggestion: One of the key themes in A Wolf Called Wander is discovering one’s Identity Within the Context of the Family. Wander/Swift first comes to know himself within the context of his pack, where everyone has a unique role that helps the pack function; similarly, humans often form their own personal identity in relationship to a group identity, usually beginning with their family. As you ask students to work through this prompt, be mindful of those who might come from difficult and/or uncommon family backgrounds; you can encourage students to reflect upon “chosen family” or social groups to help understand their individual role within a larger group.

• Wildlife SOS article “Forms of Parenting in the Animal World” explores family dynamics within different species, which can mirror human roles within their family, too.
• University of California San Diego’s “Family Dynamics Among Mammals: Do Mothers Really Know Best?” explores family systems among mammals.