The Elephant In The Room

Analyze Sila's character growth throughout the novel. How does she change and evolve throughout the story? Use text examples to justify your response.

Discuss the significance of cultural identity in the story, particularly in relation to Sila's Turkish heritage. What other characters share their cultural heritage? How? Use examples to explain your answer.

Explore the theme of justice in the novel. What injustices do the characters face? Are these injustices resolved? How? Use examples to justify your response.

Explain Mr. Pickles’s significance in the story. Why does the author include him? Use examples to explain your response.

Trace the evolving friendship between Gio, Sila, and Mateo. How do they help each other? How do they become friends? Use examples to explain your answer.

Examine the theme of money in the novel. How does money, or the lack of it, affect the characters? How does receiving large sums of money change the characters? What message does Sloan convey about money through Gio and the Tekins?

Analyze the role of education in the novel, particularly Sila and Mateo's experiences at school. How does the school help the characters? How does it fail them? Use examples to explain your answer.

Analyze the theme of healing in the novel. How do the characters find healing and redemption throughout the story? Use examples to explain your response.