Characters
This character is the protagonist of the story, struggling with feelings of invisibility and inadequacy.
Who is Dougie?
This is the unusual hobby that Dougie develops as a way to cope with his feelings of invisibility.
This is a central motif throughout the entire novel involving being overlooked.
What is invisibility?
What is
Sometimes you have to destroy something so you can build it again.
When is 2005?
This character is Dougie's BEST friend, who seems to have it all together, but also has insecurities.
Who is Andy.
This event happens in the Greenway.
What is Dougie stalking (spying on) Melissa?
This is another important motif in the novel, involving reducing isolation.
What is friendship?
Drawing
What is
If we can imagine it, we can make it real?
Dougie's fascination with fire stems from a desire for...
What is control/power/attention?
This character is so disgusted by Dougie that she calls him a "worm".
Who is Melissa Haverman.
This is when Dougie and Andy go get fast food after Andy's practice.
What is Dougie skipping his therapy appointment?
This is a motif involving Dougie and poor decision-making.
What is responsibility? Accountability? Honesty?
Isolation
What is
We are each on our own path of self-discovery?
We must take responsibility for our actions?
We must see and accept one another despite differences?
It is never okay to resort to violence as a means of revenge?
Dougie's relationship with his parents can be described as...
What is distant, awkward, uncommunicative?
This character tries to get Dougie to focus on something besides the sigil.
Who is Mrs. Felko, his art teacher?
This is the look Dougie's mother gives him when she is especially worried.
What is Pooping Cat?
This is another topic/motif involving hobbies and downtime for teenagers.
What is creativity? What is passion?
What is
Tools are often useful for things other than their intended use.
If we cut people out of our lives, they will forget us and we will become invisible to them.
A decision can be a knife in one's life.
Despite their differences, Doug and Andy's friendship is based on a shared...
What is experience from their past?
This character seems to be living in Andy's house.
Who is George Fuller?
"THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! ARE YOU CALLING ME A LIAR?"
What is the time when the police come and Dougie's father catches him lying, again?
This is an important motif involving privacy.
17
How is repetition/obsession a sign of mental illness?
What is the time when most teenage boys come of age?
What is the age when most young people realize they are not kids anymore?
Fire, in the novel, can be seen as a symbol of...
What is destruction, passion, release, control?