A Wolf Called Wander

In Chapter 6, Wander makes a vow to himself: He decides that, going forward, he will never call himself “Swift” ever again. Why is this moment significant? In your discussion, consider the following questions:

• Why is this a pivotal moment in the novel in terms of Wander’s personal evolution?
• What does this decision mean in terms of Wander’s relationship to his family?
• What is the significance of assuming “Wander” as his new name?

Teaching Suggestion: As a coming-of-age narrative, this moment in the novel represents a turning point for Wander. It is the moment when he truly begins his transformation from inexperienced pup to a wiser, young adult wolf. Though he’s already mourning the loss of his family, an event that has left him deeply scarred, in this moment he asserts himself to take control of his life, starting with his name. “Swift” was the name that was given to him by his family, which spoke to his role within the pack; the new name of “Wander” emphasizes his current situation as a loner, left to find his way alone without the support of his pack.

Differentiation Suggestion: A differentiation strategy for advanced learners would be to ask students to consider name changes more broadly, from a philosophical and/or socio-cultural perspective: What are other circumstances in which an individual might want to change their name? Begin the conversation by having students read Psychology Today’s “