Stig of the Dump is a piece of modern children’s classic written by English author Clive King in 1963. This children’s novel features the unlikely friendship between adventurous little Barney and stone-age Stig as well as their shared experiences. 

How does Stig’s inability to speak English affect the effectiveness of his communication with Barney? How does this affect your perspective on language and its role?

How would you describe the relationship Barney and Stig share? What are some of the hindrances that might arise due to their background differences, and what do you think makes such an unlikely friendship possible despite these challenges? 

Barney and Stig engaged in many activities together, one of which was hunting. How did Barney realise that Stig wanted to hunt down the horse? Between the two, who do you think is a better hunter, and whose perspective on hunting aligns more with modern day views? Why is that so?

Is Stig portrayed as a completely positive character in the story? Think about how Stig took Barney’s knife simply because he wanted it. Does this act throw Stig in a negative light, or does it tell us something about societal norms and its impact on its members?

What do you think happened to Stig in the end? Will he ever meet Barney again? Is this the best ending for the story?