41 pages • 1 hour read
Lois LowryA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
The most prominent theme in the story relates to the family dynamics of its major characters and to the lack of love that exists between parents and children in this invented world. This narrative trend is based on common clichés in classic children’s literature, which often feature children overcoming the challenges of their neglectful and abusive situations. Even in the context of Lowry’s novel, the children are aware of their similarity to these characters and refer to such stories often, imbuing the narrative with a distinctly metafictional flavor. Because their parents do not care for them as they should, the children see themselves as being part of a wider stereotype that exists in the literary world. Mr. and Mrs. Willoughby only do what is necessary to avoid the attention of law enforcement and evade the possibility of being charged with neglect. They are deeply flawed parents who deny their children affection, serve them disgusting food, and regularly insult them. The rest of the time, they ignore them, hoping they will take care of themselves and stay out of their way.
By Lois Lowry
A Summer to Die
A Summer to Die
Lois Lowry
Gathering Blue
Gathering Blue
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Gooney Bird Greene
Gooney Bird Greene
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Gossamer
Gossamer
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Messenger
Messenger
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Number the Stars
Number the Stars
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Son
Son
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The Giver
The Giver
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The Silent Boy
The Silent Boy
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