After the First Death

Robert Cormier

Dell Pub., 1991 - Juvenile Fiction - 233 pages

1. This novel is told from multiple points of view. Why do you think Cormier has chosen this type of narration? 2. Why does Artkin say it is necessary for Miro to 'bury' his real name forever? Are Miro and Artkin burying anything else? 3. Which characters do you sympathize with and why? Do you have a clear-cut sense of right and wrong at the end of this novel? 4. What role does the notion of 'manhood' serve? Why does Miro want to achieve this status so badly? Miro thinks that Kate is trying to manipulate him when she says 'it's sad not to trust anyone.' Why does Miro have to shut this statement out of his mind? 5. How does a concept of duty (to Artkin, to his nation) affect Miro's conception of self, of individuality? How does duty affect the general and his actions in regard to his son? Why does he volunteer his son for the mission? 6. Betrayal is a prominent theme throughout the novel. Do you think the general betrayed his son? Who else betrays or is betrayed? How and why? How does this betrayal compare to the betrayals that happen in the other three books (Carter and Archie, Goober and Jerry, Brother Leon and Caroni, Adam and the government).

What people are saying

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - engpunk77 - LibraryThing

WAS a classroom book (left from a previous teacher), but I don't see any point in keeping it in my grade 7/8 library. Way too much for that age level, I think. This one wasn't nearly as good as any of ...

LibraryThing Review

User Review  - br13jadu - LibraryThing

After The First Death authored by Robert Cormier is a story about a camp bus that gets hijacked by a group of terrorists that consist of Miro, Artkin, and Antibbe. The terrorists want the worst for ...

Contents

• Section 1: 3
• Section 2: 17
• Section 3: 47
• Section 4: 57
• Section 5: 79
• Section 6: 93
• Section 7: 133
• Section 8: 143
• Section 9: 187
• Section 10: 199
• Section 11: 223
• Section 12: 231

About the author

Robert Cormier began writing novels for adults, but established his reputation as an author of books for young adults, earning critical acclaim with three books, each of which were named New York Times Outstanding Book of the Year: The Chocolate War (1974), I Am the Cheese (1977), and After the First Dark (1979). Cormier was born on January 17, 1925, in Leominster, Mass., where his eighth-grade teacher first discovered his ability to write. Cormier worked as a commercial writer at WTAG-Radio in Worcester, Mass. He also worked as a newspaper reporter and columnist at the Worcester Telegram and Gazette and at the Fitchburg Sentinel. Cormier received the Best Human Interest Story of the Year Award from the Associated Press of New England in 1959 and 1973. He also earned the Best Newspaper Column Award from K.R. Thomson Newspapers, Inc., in 1974. Cormier, who is sometimes inspired by news stories or family events, is known for having serious themes in his work, such as manipulation, abuse of authority, and the ordinariness of evil. These themes are also evident in many of his more than 15 books.

Bibliographic information

• Title: After the First Death; Laurel-leaf books
• Author: Robert Cormier
• Edition: reprint, reissue
• Publisher: Dell Pub., 1991
• ISBN: 0440208351, 9780440208358
• Length: 233 pages
• Subjects: Juvenile Fiction / Social Themes / General; Young Adult Fiction / Thrillers & Suspense