Swindle

Consider the novel’s theme of The Morality of Rights and Ownership. What is the role of morality in the decision-making of the characters in the novel? Use these points as you formulate a response to the question:

• Why does Griffin believe he has the “moral high ground” concerning the baseball card?
• Why does Swindle feel justified in offering Griffin a low price for the card?
• What characters oppose Griffin’s moral reasoning, and what are their reasons?
• How does Griffin come to a new understanding of his behavior?
• Who ultimately obtains possession of the card? Do you believe they are the rightful owners?

Teaching Suggestion: It may be helpful for students to create a T-Chart to compare Griffin’s definition of morality and the right of ownership to the other characters in the novel. Students might find it helpful to assess the motive behind each of the characters’ actions.

Differentiation Suggestion: Students who would benefit from support with abstract thinking might first discuss the theme The Morality of Rights and Ownership in small groups before sharing thoughts on the prompt. Students may benefit from rereading or reviewing selected passages from the novel before drawing conclusions about the questions posed in the prompt.