I Survived the Joplin Tornado, 2011

In Chapter 2, Dex reflects on how an “invisible wall had risen up between” himself and his friend Dylan (7). What breaks down that wall, and how does that reflect on the theme of The Limits of Human Knowledge explored in the novel?

As Dex is falling asleep in Chapter 4, the night before storm chasing with Dr. Gage, “His head was filled with tornadoes dancing in the sky, touching down in his mind and carrying him off to sleep” (22). What does the author’s use of figurative language here suggest about Dex’s understanding of tornadoes before living through one? Consider how the author’s figurative language changes as Dex encounters a tornado in real life.

Discuss what the novel communicates about what it means to be part of a community. Draw on at least three specific examples in your discussion.

In Chapter 11, the tornado is “like a beast whose bloody kill had been snatched away” (61). Compare this simile with others used across the novel to describe the tornado’s force and effects. How do the author’s similes help communicate The Limitations of Human Knowledge in the face of nature?

What is the significance of the four final chapters, in which the author discusses her relationship to the story, the timeline of the Joplin tornado, and facts and safety information about tornadoes more generally? How might this information affect what readers take away from the story?

After the tornado, despite his initial negative reaction to seeing the hailstone that Dr. Gage recovered for him, Dex decides to keep it. Why? How does Dex’s decision to keep the hailstone tie into the theme of The Importance of Community and Solidarity?

Explore The Need for Resilience and Resourcefulness when surviving unpredictable events. In your discussion, draw on at least three different instances of resourcefulness as it is exhibited across the novel.

Consider what making a bed correctly symbolizes in the novel. How does what this action symbolizes influence Dex as he and his family and community recover in the aftermath of the tornado?