51 pages • 1 hour read
Elizabeth Gray ViningAdam of the Road
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1942A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
What is a minstrel? Why was minstrelsy so highly valued in the Middle Ages, and how does the novel reflect the profession’s importance?
Is Roger a good father? Why or why not?
Is Jankin redeemed by the end of the book? Write the story of his experiences with Nick, Adam, and Roger from Jankin’s perspective.
Why do you think Adam never refers to Roger as “Dad” or “Father”? Why do you think Roger calls Adam “Son” only twice throughout the whole book? Discuss their relationship and its evolution.
Do you think Lawrence is justified in stealing food? Why or why not? What does this action reveal about the family’s circumstances?
Why is it significant that Roger takes off his glove to shake Adam’s hand? Discuss the ways in which men interact with one another and acknowledge each other’s status throughout the novel.
Are Master Walter and Dame Prudence justified in expecting Adam to become a parish clerk after they care for him? Is Adam justified in leaving them?
How do the songs Adam writes reflect his internal state? What do they reveal about his inner journey?
Describe Adam and Perkin’s friendship in your own words. Is Adam a good friend to Perkin? Is Perkin a good friend to Adam?
How do the novel’s historical details add to the realism of the story?
