Holes — Chapter 31

About This Passage

This is the shape of hope. Stanley stacks one 'if' on top of another 'if' on top of another 'if' — three conditions have to be true for Zero's survival to be possible. Notice that Sachar lets each 'if' sit as its own sentence fragment. This is not bad grammar; it is the rhythm of a boy who cannot quite let himself believe, but cannot quite let himself stop hoping either. The conditions are real problems (maybe it's too far, maybe it's the wrong mountain, maybe the water dried up). But Stanley lets them stand alone, like three thin threads he is trying to hold together.

Narration Prompt

Retell Chapter 31 in your own words. Include: Stanley's anger at himself, why he didn't go after Zero, his dream of climbing Big Thumb with Zero, his idea to make a deal with the Warden about the gold tube, and the cold interrogation at the end where the Warden orders Mr. Pendanski to destroy Zero's records.

Discussion Questions

1. Stanley spends the whole chapter thinking 'I should go after Zero' — but never actually goes. What does the gap between what Stanley THINKS he should do and what Stanley DOES do tell you about courage? Is moral courage the same thing as physical courage, or different?
2. Stanley considers making a deal with the Warden — trading the truth about the gold tube for Zero's safety. Then he talks himself out of it. What reasons does he give himself for not making the deal? Are those reasons selfish, wise, or both?

+ 3 more questions in the complete study guide