Contents of the Dead Man's Pocket

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

Brainstorm a list of facts and ideas regarding the post-WWII era in the United States. Consider social and economic changes as post-war Americans drove demands for consumer goods.

Teaching Suggestion: Tom’s role in the economic boom influences his actions relating to his work and desire to succeed. Understanding this era can help students to understand Tom’s motivations and actions.

• This article from History.com describes the economic boom that occurred after World War II.

Short Activity

“Contents of the Dead Man’s Pocket” tells the story of a man driven to extremes by professional ambition. Using this premise as inspiration, write your own short-short story in a modern setting about a person who takes extreme actions to further their career.

Teaching Suggestion: While “Contents of a Dead Man’s Pocket” is set in the time after WWII, professional pressure and The Consequences of Unbridled Ambition are still prevalent today. Students might consider the rise of social media and its influence on people’s perceptions of themselves and success.

• This study from the American Psychological Association shows the increase in perfectionism among young people and the impact on mental health. 
• This article from Forbes discusses the rise of influencer marketing and its pitfalls.

Differentiation Suggestion: Visual learners may benefit from writing their story as a comic or with the inclusion of illustrations.

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

Think of a time when you felt extremely scared or in physical danger. How did you react to this situation? How did you feel later, reflecting on the incident?

Teaching Suggestion: This topic can be sensitive to discuss but can help students prepare for the life-or-death situation in which Tom finds himself in the story. This discussion may prepare students to think about the themes of Controlling and Overcoming Fear and The Will to Live.

• This article from Harvard Health Publishing details how the human body reacts in dangerous situations.