Discussion Questions for The Young Man and the Sea
- What are the similarities between Skiff and his father? In what ways are they different?
- What kind of person was Skiff’s mother? Why does she seem so real to the reader, even though she has died before the story begins? Why did she tell Skiff before she died that he would have to take care of his father?
- Why does Tyler Croft treat Skiff the way he does? What does he hope to gain by stealing Skiff’s lobster traps? Why can’t Skiff get help to stop what Tyler is doing?
- What is the connection between Skiff’s father and Tyler’s father? Why does Skiff's father turn to Mr. Croft for help in rescuing Skiff?
- What does Skiff learn from Mr. Woodwell? Why does Mr. Woodwell want to help Skiff? What does Skiff's father mean when he says about Mr. Woodwell, “He taught me a few things. Not just boats.”
- Skiff asks for the help he needs to raise the Mary Rose, and to retrieve the lost lobster traps. Why doesn’t he ask for help when he sets out to fish for the tuna?
- What does Skiff mean when he talks about the difference between the “swampers” and the other people in the town? How does the setting of the town affect the people who live there?
- Discuss the statement Skiff's father once made to him, “Fish and you fish alone. Get in trouble and everyone helps out.” What does this tell you about the community in which they live?
- Why is it so important to Skiff to raise the Mary Rose after she sinks? What does the boat represent to Skiff?
- Discuss Skiff’s feelings when he is out on the ocean, far from land. How would you feel in that situation? What effect does the fog have on Skiff?
- What mistakes does Skiff make when he sets out to sea? Why didn’t he think through what he would need on the journey?
- Why is the act of fishing for the bluefin tuna so different than the fishing Skiff has done before? What emotions does he feel for the huge fish and why?
- Discuss “Mom’s three rules” as Skiff tries to apply them to his life: 1) Think smart; 2) Speak true; 3) Never give up. How can you apply these rules to your life? What would you do, as Skiff asks, if rule 3 cancels out rules 1 and 2?
- What did Skiff's mom mean when she told him “Being brave isn’t the same as being stupid”? Is it courage or stupidity that makes Skiff head for the open ocean in his small boat?
- There are many ways that people deal with grief. Discuss the different ways that Skiff and his father have reacted to Skiff's mother’s illness and death. What are some of the ways that Skiff has worked through his grief to help him with life situations?
- How does Skiff justify stealing the harpoon from Mr. Woodwell’s shack? Is it acceptable to take something that you need so badly? Why didn’t he just ask Mr. Woodwell if he could borrow the harpoon?
- Skiff relates that his father “found two things in the fog, me and his old pal Jack.” What does Skiff's father mean? How many examples can you find in the story of true friendship?
- There are several ways the theme of family is explored in this story. Discuss what Skiff means near the end of the book when he says: “Blood is blood, and you got to keep together with your family, even if they mess up.”
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(Courtesy of Scholastic)