SETTING
The novel takes place in a society divided into two. What are they called?
What is the Mainland and the Gutter?
She is the protagonist of the novel.
Who is Elimina Dubois?
Gutter children are told they are born owing what?
What is debt?
The debt symbolizes what?
What is oppression?
This moment marks the beginning of Elimina realizing the world isn’t designed to protect her, even though she was raised on the Mainland.
What is the death of her adoptive mother?
The Gutter is described as a place where people are forced into poverty.
What is loss of innocence?
She raises Elimina before her death.
Who is Miss Dubois?
The debt system claims to offer opportunity, but what is its real purpose?
What is to control and exploit Gutter children?
The Academy symbolizes what kind of real world system?
What is prisons or places of control?
This “school” becomes the place where Elimina loses any belief that the system is fair or meant to help her succeed.
What is the academy?
The Mainland represents what kind of societal group?
What is privilege or those in power?
A supportive friend Elimina meets at the Academy.
Who is Serene?
The government uses this emotion to keep both Mainland and Gutter people obedient.
What is fear?
The Mainland symbolizes what?
What is privilege and power?
Elimina’s realization that her entire life was shaped by a government experiment reflects this major loss of innocence.
What is their identity and mindset?
Gutter children are trained and controlled in what institution?
What is the Academy?
The people who enforce discipline and control at the Academy.
Who are the Supervisors?
The Academy pretends to “train” students, but what does it truly enforce?
What is obedience and submission?
The Gutter symbolizes what?
What is marginalized and exploited communities?
What often pushes characters toward rebellion?
What is injustice and violence from the system?
The setting shows a world where people are told they must “repay” something they never created. What is this called?
What is the debt system?
The people connected to rebellion and resistance.
Who is the Sossi children?
The novel has a real world issue what is it?
What is racism or oppression?
Elimina’s journey symbolizes the broader struggle for what?
What is freedom and/or liberation?
The ending leaves readers with what major message?
What is the loss of innocence has a big effect on peoples lives