53 pages • 1 hour read
Ali BenjaminThe Thing About Jellyfish
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Imagery evocative of size and perspective is featured in the novel; for example, Suzy discusses the difference between the photos of Earth in science class, and she mentions jellyfish blooms so large they destroy equipment and habitats. Consider two more points in the story in which size and perspective feature; analyze the reason Suzy mentions them as well as the impact learning about them has on her.
Suzy begins “not-talking” so that she can hear the “noise” of life and so that she does not pollute the environment with unimportant noise. Create a list of sound images in the book and rank them in order of importance the way Suzy might rank them. Explain your choices.
Dr. Legler sees Suzy because her parents are concerned about her mental well-being and her choice to avoid verbal communication. What happens at Suzy’s appointments that demonstrate her communication challenges?
How does the dance theme (Heroes and Villains) symbolize Suzy’s internal conflict over the ways in which her relationship with Franny ended?
Suzy’s peers experience traditional milestones and middle school-age experiences in the novel, such as the campout, the dance, the science dissection and report, and the choice of lunch table. The ways in which Suzy reacts to these events, however, shows her individuality. Choose three “typical” middle school experiences from the novel and explain the ways in which Suzy’s individualized characterization is revealed.
Suzy composes correspondence to Jamie even though he never reads it. What are the adjacent events occurring in the narrative at the time she writes those letters, and in what ways might the events affect her words to Jamie?
With its use of the interspersed flashback scenes, this novel tells two distinct parts of one individual’s story. Draw a double timeline with labeled events to represent each part of the story. Which events on each timeline affect Suzy the most? In what ways do events on each timeline parallel or contrast?
Suzy sees the days leading up to her trip to Australia as a series of goodbyes. Determine her two most impactful attempts at farewell conversations and explain your rationale for these selections.
The novel includes descriptive passages about jellyfish that represent Suzy’s fascination with the creatures. Are the tone of the jellyfish passages scientific, poetic, or both? What important lessons can the jellyfish teach Suzy or humans in general?
Part of Suzy’s coming-of-age experience has to do with taking risks and tearing down the barriers to her own fears and inhibitions, especially in terms of accepting new friends. How does Suzy demonstrate that she is learning to tear down barriers to new friends later?
