This is a free The Bridge of San Luis Rey study guide, designed to be used over four weeks in a homeschool co-op or tutorial.
I first read Thornton Wilder’s The Bridge of San Luis Rey in high school, and his beautiful, heady, aphoristic writing has stayed with me ever since. It is the story of the five people who fell to their deaths on Friday, noon, July 20, 1714 on the bridge between Lima and Cuzco. A Franciscan monk named Brother Juniper happens to witness the event, and then dedicates his life to finding out who these people were and why God had them specifically on the bridge at this exact moment.
The first story focuses on the turbulent life of the Marquesa de Montemayor and her idolatrous (and highly dysfunctional) relationship with her daughter. The second is titled Esteban. It looks into the lives of brothers—twins who are silent, except for a secret language they share when alone—who are ripped apart by the love of a woman. And finally, the story of Uncle Pio, a hustler who has trained the best actress in the Spanish world, only to be rejected by her.
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It is a difficult novel, probably best for 11th or 12th grades, although my 10th graders are enjoying good discussions on it right now. The curriculum I’ve written includes comprehension questions for them to complete as they read, along with answer keys for each that include the notes a teacher at a co-op or tutorial can use for discussion in class. There are four quizzes and answer keys, and one group project with discussion notes for a teacher as well.
Week 1: Read Parts 1: Perhaps an Accident and 2: The Marquesa de Montemayor
Student Homework Questions
Teacher Homework Answers and Discussion Notes
Quiz 1
Answer Key 1
Week 2: Read Part 3: Esteban
Student Homework Questions
Teacher Homework Answers and Discussion Notes
Quiz 2
Answer Key 2
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Week 3: Read Part 4: Uncle Pio
Student Homework Questions
Teacher Homework Answers and Discussion Notes
Quiz 3
Answer Key 3
Week 4: Read Part 5: Perhaps an Intention
Student Homework Questions
Teacher Homework Answers and Discussion Notes
Quiz 4
Answer Key 4
Group Project: Divide the class into groups and give them 15-20 minutes to use their phones or laptops to research the aspect of the publication of The Bridge of San Luis Rey that they are assigned, then let each group present back to the class. Or, assign this as an extra credit or writing assignment to individuals!
Spilled Milk 