The Autobiography of Red
by Anne Carson
About_
Autobiography of Red, by Anne Carson, is a genre-blending novel in verse that reimagines the ancient Greek myth
of Geryon, a winged red monster killed by the hero Herakles, as the story of a sensitive, artistic boy coming of age
and falling in love. Drawing on fragments of the poet Stesichoros alongside modern settings from Argentina to
Peru, Carson traces Geryon’s childhood, his tumultuous relationship with Herakles, and his journey toward
self-understanding. This study guide contains 130 questions across 10 chapter sections (100 Factual + 30 Critical), 1
Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity.
What’s Included_
This study guide features 10 sets of 10 Factual Questions with an answer key (100 total), 10 sets of 3 Critical
Analysis Questions (30 total), 1 Crossword Puzzle (12 clues), and 1 Character Focus Activity (8 traits + evidence
prompt + critical thinking question).
Target Grades_
Grades 11-12 and College/AP Literature
Teacher Note_
This guide helps students navigate Carson’s inventive blend of myth, poetry, and modern narrative, building
comprehension of both the ancient source material and Geryon’s emotional journey. The factual questions anchor
students in plot details, while the critical questions invite rich discussion about identity, love, and storytelling. We
hope this resource saves you preparation time while inspiring meaningful classroom conversation!