Themes
Parenthood
The conversation between Lil and Madi on pages 200-201, Madi is pushing the kids too much while Lil truly understands them and wants them to feel comfortable. Maybe Lil relates more to them because she was them and she knows what it's like to be overworked and held at high standards like she was when she was younger.
Lillian
Page 206 when Lillian has a whole character shift. Is Lil saying she is now a better person because of the kids? How can her current feelings be dependent on her past experiences?
Question 1
How has Lillian's perspective on these kids changed from the beginning of the novel to now? (Page 167)
Politics
Symbolizes greed and selfishness (most times people make stuff up in politics to gain more followers), seen on page 177
Wealth
See page 200 and 205, money is being manipulated to control the poor, similar to the beginning of the novel when Madi's dad paid Lil's mom
Madison
Look on page 202, what does this say about the person Madison is? Is she finally becoming the rich snob?
Question 2
Fire
The out-of-control connection between Bessie and Roland's emotions to human emotions that we all go through, especially during passionate times where we can't control them ourselves or don't know how to handle them. See page 207 for how we can learn to control our emotions and use them to our advantage as Bessie says. Fire also makes the kids untouchable--> no one can "attack" them when they are over come with their overwhelmed feelings or are left vulnerable.
Coming of Age
"The kids read their books, and they leaned against me, and even though I actually did not like to be touched, I just let it happen. I allowed it. It was fine" (Wilson 166-167). Lillian is mentally maturing, allows the kids to be close to her, moving on from the troubled past and difficult mom she grew up with.
Roland
"And then they went back to it, Roland watching Timothy more than the screen" (Wilson 181). How does this reflect the kind of person that Roland is? How is he evidently different from Bessie?
Question 3
When Madison and Lillian are with the twins, why is Madison rude to Lillian? Do you think Madi does this to win over the twins somehow?
Basketball
Friendly and competitive competition/ how humans can be nice and mean in the same thing. Madison injured Lillian at one point but the kids enjoy playing basketball with each other.
Identity
“A wicked child was the most beautiful thing in the world” (Wilson 166). This can tie back to Madi because she was wicked for what happened in high school yet Lil is always talking about how beautiful Madi is. This can also reveal the identity of the twins, they look wild yes but they aren't the most pure, making them more extraordinary.
Bessie
What does the passage"'No,' Bessie admitted. 'I just want to know if he kept it'" (Wilson 188) mean? What does this say about Bessie?
Question 4
After seeing how Jasper got upset at the family dinner, do you think the "fire" abilities of the twins came from Jasper? (Page 178-179)
Guesthouse and Mansion
Madison and Lillian both have families of 3, however, the smaller guesthouse holds Lil and the twins physically closer together, strengthening their bond and showing their connection through a house. On the other hand, Madi has Timmy and Jasper who live in a huge house and are often apart, showing their separation and weird connections with one another.
Power of Love
Page 207, sometimes love can be crazy out of control when the kids are mad but when you know how to control your emotions, we become at peace with other people allowing them to see our true selves, leading to self love and love for others.
Jasper
On page 176, what does the prayer that Jasper says during dinner say about Jasper? How are his actions different from what he is praying?
Question 5
Why do you think Wilson includes so many moments throughout the novel that are silly or out of context? For example, page 173
The twin's emerald green eyes
Emeralds are generally poor in strength and symbolize loyalty, new beginnings, peace, and security. All the things that the twins are now receiving with Lillian however, before her they were weaker and broke, but now they are learning how to become stronger because of Lillian's presences and nurturing for the children.