Behind Rebel Lines Discussion Questions
Chapter 1
1) What made Emma want to become part of the war by disguising herself? What was
her relationship like with her father?
2) Emma knows as soon she takes the soldier’s solemn oath there’s no turning back.
How does she feel before and after she takes the oath?
Chapter 2
1) The author uses the pronoun “he” for Private Thompson. How does this change the
reader’s perspective? Is this an effective writing technique? Why/why not?
2) What can you infer about the two events that will turn Emma’s world upside
down—a spy who is shot and a patrol party who tries to capture a rebel?
Chapter 3
1) How did Emma react to a possible reuniting with an old friend? A possible
romantic interest? How did Emma react to the news about Lieutenant Vesey’s death?
2) On page 28, Emma is overcome with feelings of vengeance and her imp voice is
urging her on. What is an “imp”? And how is this voice beginning to control Emma?
Chapter 4
1) Mrs. Butler is helping Emma devise a plan to become a spy by wearing a wig and
rubbing on “black skin.” What fears should Emma have? How could this plan
backfire?
Chapter 5
1) What is the significance of the songs and lyrics in chapter five? How are they
appropriate considering the circumstances?
Chapter 6
1) “Cuff” was expected to do work that would be hard for even a burly man. Now
that Emma has experienced a glimpse of the life of a slave how has her perspective
been impacted?
Chapter 8
1) According to Mrs. Butler, how would she describe Emma’s personality traits? Has
her perspective changed since Emma revealed to her that she disguised herself? How?
2) Private Thompson doesn’t know that McClellan is about to assign another risky
spy operation. What obstacles might Private Thompson encounter this time? What
could go wrong?
Chapter 9
1) Emma encounters a dying Confederate soldier on her mission. She doesn’t hesitate
to help this young man to ease his death. Why do you think this is?
2) What is the dying Confederate soldier’s one last dying request? How can Emma use
this to her advantage?
Chapter 10
1) Talking about the women slaves page 78 says, “Like many Southern house
servants, they were treated far better than the field laborers and trench diggers Cuff
had met before.” Why do you think this is?
Chapter 12
1) In chapter three there was mention of Emma’s “imp” voice. It is mentioned again
on page 97—“His ailments were very painful, but they never stopped him. He was
doing what he wanted to do—playing a part in the great war effort—and even the
imp voice was quiet.” Why is the imp voice quiet at this point?
Chapter 13
1) At the end of the chapter, “Charles Mayberry” feels he needs to take action, an
action that just may cost him his life. What do you think his plan might be? Emma’s
missions have worked out to be successful so far. Make a prediction about Emma’s
wild plan.
Chapter 14
1) Why does Hall seem reluctant to trust Mayberry?
2) How is Mayberry feeling about the mission to turn in Hall?
3) Describe a theme that would be suitable throughout this novel and support it with
evidence from the text.
Chapter 15
1) How does Emma view her life now that she is out of the war? How does she feel
about herself?
2) Which one of Emma’s disguises/spy missions was the most dangerous?
3) Identify at least one cause an effect from Behind Rebel Lines.
Chapter 16
1) Do you think it was unfair that Emma was branded as a deserter of the war?
2) How have Emma’s accomplishments been an inspiration to people’s lives?
3) Describe a theme that would be suitable throughout this novel and support it with
evidence from the text.