Introduction
In this Webquest, students will explore how the names of characters in a story can provide clues about the overall book. Specifically, in this Webquest, we'll take a look at how the author David Almond chose very descriptive names for the characters in the novel Skellig that provides us with a better understanding of the motifs and mysteries in this novel.
Task
Answer all of the following questions using the links provided and/or the novel Skellig, as well as your knowledge of the book, to provide the most thoughtful responses. Be sure to type up all of your responses on a Google Doc.
Process
1. What is the meaning of your name, according to a baby name website?
2. Who is Louis Leakey? Use the following website to find out this information.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Louis-Leakey
3. There is a character in the novel Skellig named Leakey. Explain why the author, David Almond, may have named one of the character in this book after Louis Leakey.
4. Catholicism is a religion that has patron saints. Define what a patron saint is using the following website:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/patron-saint
5. Who is St. Michael, according to legend?
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Michael-archangel
6. What is St. Michael the patron saint of? Explain.
https://www.stpatrickmalvern.org/saints/st-michael-the-archangel/
7. What similarities does St. Michael share with the character of Michael in the novel Skellig?
8. Who was William Blake?
https://www.tate.org.uk/kids/explore/who-is/who-william-blake
9. The name “Mina” is short for ‘Wilhelmina.’ Wilhelmina is the feminine version of which name?
https://mom.com/baby-names/girl/25399/Wilhelmina
10. Who is it likely that Mina was named after? What are some similarities they share?
11. What is the Island of Skellig Michael?
https://www.earthtrekkers.com/how-to-visit-skellig-michael-island/
12. What similarities are there between the Island of Skellig Michael and the book Skellig?
13. How might an author choose names to use when creating a story? What are some ideas that David Almond obviously chose to consider for the novel Skellig?