Counting Miracles

Analyze the narrative and temporal structure of Jasper Johnson’s chapters of the novel. Consider how the past and present are entangled. What is the significance of these formal patterns to Jasper’s character arc and the novel’s themes?

Craft an argument that supports or refutes the following claim: The Asheboro, North Carolina setting offers the primary characters a sense of home and belonging. Consider their personal histories with the place. Consider the narrator’s descriptions of the setting in each primary character’s chapter.

The novel is told from the third person point of view. How does this narrative vantage point relate to the characters’ isolation, understandings of self, and longing for community? Does the narration evolve over the course of the novel?

Analyze the ways in which Tanner’s character contributes to Kaitlyn’s evolution. What is her life like before Tanner? How does Tanner change her daily life and her self-regard? Cite specific scenes and images.

The novel alternates between episodes from Tanner’s, Kaitlyn’s, and Jasper’s storylines. Analyze the significance of this narrative structure. How does it relate to the characters’ interpersonal relationships and personal trajectories? How does it enact the novel’s themes?

Explore the ways in which Kaitlyn impacts Tanner’s character arc. What is Tanner’s life like before meeting Kaitlyn? How does his outlook change while he’s with her? What does their relationship suggest about love and family?

Tanner, Kaitlyn, and Jasper all have fraught pasts. Analyze how their trauma dictates their self-expression and lifestyle in the present. How do they heal from their pasts?

Images of the white deer pervade the novel. Analyze the symbolic significance of this motif to the novel’s wider themes and conflicts. As a narrative device, what function does the deer serve?