Holes Lesson 12: Infer and Deduce - The Warden Worksheet

In Lesson 12, focusing on the skill of inference and deduction, students are directed to read up to the end of Chapter 14, with particular attention to the portrayal of the warden. They are tasked with identifying examples of the author's use of language and then deducing insights into the warden's character from the selected quotes. For instance, the description 'A tall woman with red hair…she looked even taller than she was, since Stanley was down in his hole.' allows students to infer that the warden is not only physically imposing but also holds a position of power, which is accentuated by Stanley's perspective from within a hole, making her seem even more dominant and authoritative.

Another quote provided, "the next time I tell you to do something, I expect you to do it without questioning my authority," gives students an opportunity to deduce that the warden is authoritative and expects obedience without challenge. This statement reveals her strict and possibly autocratic leadership style, where questioning her decisions is not tolerated. Such activities in the worksheet aim to enhance the students' critical thinking and analytical skills by interpreting textual evidence to understand character traits and dynamics within the story.