61 pages • 2 hours read
Marilyn C. HiltonFull Cicada Moon
Fiction | Novel | Middle GradeA 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
Mimi Yoshiko Oliver is the daughter of a Japanese mother and an African American father who met during World War II in Tokyo. Given the social context of New England shortly after both World War II and the Civil Rights Movement, how do societal sentiments impact how others perceive and treat her? How does the way she is treated impact how Mimi regards and navigates her own identity?
A critical theme in the novel is the challenging of gender norms. How do various characters challenge gender norms? Do they do so with “raindrops” or “hammers”? In what ways are they successful, and how much more do they have to achieve?
How does the author’s decision to write short poems instead of chapters impact the way the reader experiences the story? What poetic elements are used to emphasize important parts of the story’s thematic elements?
Mimi makes a clear distinction between “What” and “Who” she is when everyone in Hillsborough is concerned with her racial background. What leads her to distinguish between the two, and why? Why is this distinction important, and how does it help her navigate her identity?
Mimi’s father teaches her that raindrops are more powerful than hammers when desiring to make a change. Mimi takes this advice and reminds herself “drip, drip, drip” in multiple instances when she has the choice to either force her opinion, or be kind, respectful, and persistent. How does her father’s advice help her and prove to be true throughout the story?
Mimi’s hatsuyumes, or first dreams of New Year, are very similar both in 1969 and 1970. What does the first dream foreshadow? What does the second dream tell us in retrospect to the events of the preceding year?
A recurrent motif in the novel is that of flying or soaring. In what ways is the idea of flying and soaring referenced, both literally and metaphorically? How is flying important to Mimi’s character development and her dreams?
The novel’s title, Full Cicada Moon, is reflected in the poems about cicadas and the reason behind Mimi’s name. How does being named for the cicada’s song relate to Mimi’s explanation of what cicadas do in “Magicicadas”? What does this connection tell us about Mimi and what is in store for her?
The crocus flower growing under the snow all winter is an important symbol in the novel. What does it symbolize, and what does it tell the reader about Mimi, her experiences, and the people around her?
Mimi defines courage as taking one small step, no matter how lonely or fearful one might feel. How are different characters afraid and alone in various situations? How do they take one small step, despite the loneliness and fear that they feel? How important is it for them to take that first step, and where does the first step lead them?
