Little Big Man

Questions About Little Big Man

by Thomas Berger

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Little Big Man, please sign up.

Answered Questions (1)

I am a teacher and am considering a few historical fictions for a High School U.S. History class that will hold the students attention. Is this appropriate for students to read in a school atmosphere?
Rachael Sage I would be cautious here. Unless you would be ready to take on conversations about rape and rape culture with the young men and women in your classes,…moreI would be cautious here. Unless you would be ready to take on conversations about rape and rape culture with the young men and women in your classes, reading this book could be traumatizing for some of your students.

In general, I think it's a wonderful read for older high schoolers, but missing opportunities to discuss how our culture has changed and how it hasn't changed would be remiss.

There is a lot of violence in this book and many gruesome descriptions, but I think it offers a uniquely balanced view of two very different cultures– no one escapes criticism.

But what stands out to me most, in this age of information, social media, and the increasingly open conversation around rape culture and violence against women, as well as a growing embrace of feminism by men and women, is how this book handles women.

I would say that given the time period in which this book was written and the time period it was written about, Berger was likely pretty progressive on this topic. But rape, kidnapping, prostitution, buying, selling, trading, and marrying off of women– these are peppered throughout the book with no real acknowledgment of their damaging results.

If a teacher were ready to allow students to talk about these parts of the book in the context of modern culture, that would be amazing. But only you know yourself, your students, your school, and the parents.

I suggest giving it a read to make the decision– it is fantastic! Good Luck! (less)
flag

Unanswered Questions (1)

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more