Small Steps Essay Questions

How does Louis Sachar present the issue of racial discrimination in Austin, Texas in Small Steps?

Sachar presents the issue of race in Small Steps through Armpit's inner dialogue about Mayor Cherry Lane. When Armpit meets Mayor Cherry Lane, he remembers that his father has criticized her for only paying attention to the half of Austin occupied by white people. This, as well as Armpit's observation of Austin being racially divided via a highway, presents the issue of the racial divide in Austin to the reader.

What does the character of X-Ray seem to represent in Small Steps?

X-Ray seems to represent the factors pulling young African American boys, such as Armpit, back into prison. While Armpit is working for his money doing manual labor in the hot Texas heat, X-Ray shows up and offers him a scheme to double his money fast. Because Armpit has already been to Camp Green Lake, he hasn't finished high school and has an income cap. Doing something that doesn't seem obviously illegal is an easy pull, and the ease with which one can slide back into crime and perpetuate the cycle of poverty is presented in the character of X-Ray.

Armpit is subject to prejudice throughout Small Steps. Does he also act in a prejudicial way? Are people who receive prejudice less likely to act prejudicially towards others? Use the text to support your argument.

While those who are constantly on the receiving end of prejudice may be less likely to act prejudicially towards others, they aren't exempt from prejudice. We see this when Armpit is on alert when selling tickets to Murdock. Armpit wonders if Murdock is scheming to take the tickets from him, and is even on the fence about accepting a free meal from Murdock. In the end he feels guilty, likely because he has shown the same prejudice that he often is on the receiving end of.

What literary devices does Louis Sachar use to foreshadow foul play around Kaira‘s money? Is it effective?

Sachar uses the motif of Kaira communicating to Armpit through her music in the text to foreshadow her being in trouble. For example, in "Damsel In Distress" Armpit hears Kaira singing "Save me, Armpit," and then she sings this version of the song after we learn El Genius's plan to kill her. This foreshadowing is also effective because it influences how the reader interprets the text and what we focus on, such as Kaira's repeated suspicions that El Genius is Billy Boy.

Describe a literary device that Louis Sachar uses to advance the plot.

Sachar uses dramatic irony to advance the plot in Small Steps. We see this in the situation of El Genius: El Genius is anxious about Kaira’s turning 18, firing him, and discovering his embezzlement. Meanwhile, Kaira has no intention of firing El Genius, despite what she's said in the past. On the other hand, El Genius is planning his life around spending it with Aileen, while Aileen is planning to let him take the rap for harming Kaira, while she plans her escape without him.