Spirited Away

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. Symbols and motifs are used to convey themes in a story, as well as shed light on characters, plot, and setting.

• Which symbols and motifs foreshadow the events that take place in the restaurant? (topic sentence)
• Detail at least three symbols or motifs that foreshadow what happens in the spirit world, using textual evidence to support your claims.
• In your conclusion, examine how these symbols help give Chihiro clues that something is wrong.

2. Spirited Away focuses on the idea of The Dangers of Decadence and Greed.

• Why are Chihiro’s parents unable to control themselves when they find the food, and why are they turned into pigs as a result? (topic sentence)
• In the body of your essay, examine the differences between Chihiro and her parents and why this may have led to their difference in choices about the food. Examine the symbolism of being turned into pigs and who might have done that to them.
• In your conclusion, consider how Chihiro’s youth might give her the advantage she needs to save her parents from the spell they are under.

3. When Chihiro and her parents cross over the riverbed, everything seems to change.

• What is the symbolism and significance of crossing the river, and why is Chihiro unable to cross back over it? (topic sentence)
• In the body of your essay, use textual evidence and your knowledge of Shintoism to explain the meaning of Chihiro and her parents crossing the river.
• In your conclusion, examine what other symbolism the river might have in relation to the theme of Modern Humanity’s Abandonment of Spirituality and Nature.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. Spirited Away places a strong focus on issues surrounding Modern Humanity’s Abandonment of Spirituality and Nature. What is Miyazaki saying about how The Dangers of Decadence and Greed relate to this abandonment? How do Chihiro’s parents exhibit this deep-rooted societal issue, and what becomes of them as a result? Answer these questions in an essay of 5-6 paragraphs, incorporating textual evidence that references both images and text.

2. Spirited Away is largely inspired by Shintoism, including its values, elements, and aesthetic. In an essay of 800 words, detail the ways that Shintoism is represented in the novel, such as through its themes (particularly Modern Humanity’s Abandonment of Spirituality and Nature), setting, imagery, and characters. Furthermore, examine how including elements of Shintoism influences the realism of the story.

3. One of the most prominent symbols in Spirited Away is food and how food consumption relates to The Dangers of Decadence and Greed. In an essay of 3-4 paragraphs, examine the presence of food in the story, its effects on the characters, and what this illustrates about them. In your essay, consider how food acts as a connecting point between the spirit world and human world.