53 pages • 1 hour read
Edward BloorTangerine
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1997A 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
Paul undergoes some significant changes throughout the course of the novel: Compare and contrast Paul’s character from the beginning of the book with his character by the end. In what ways is he more mature? How has his view of himself changed? How does his family see him differently?
Are “Mom” and/or “Dad” likable characters? Are they relatable as parents? The author does not hesitate to reveal their shortcomings and flaws. What impression does the reader have, ultimately, of their parenting decisions?
While Paul repeatedly points out the false notes in his suburban environs, it appears as if authenticity is the purview of the working-class farmers (and others) of Tangerine County. What does this suggest about socioeconomic background and professional aspirations? Are these tropes accurate? Why or why not?
The muck fire serves as a potent symbol of what lurks beneath the shiny surface of the Lake Windsor suburbs: How does this natural phenomenon represent something significant about the Fisher family and the Lake Windsor community? What about other natural phenomena, such as rain and lightning? Does the reader find Paul’s theories about these natural occurrences convincing?
Compare and contrast the Fisher family with the Cruz family: How are they different? How are they similar? What attracts Paul to the Cruz family? What does he value in his own family?
What do the tangerine groves symbolize for Paul? For Luis? For the residents of the area—both of Lake Windsor and Tangerine proper—at large?
Compare and contrast Lake Windsor Middle School with Tangerine Middle: How are they different? How are they similar? Why does Paul seem to thrive at Tangerine Middle while Joey Costello does not?
While the author never overtly calls out racial and socioeconomic discrimination, the book does implicitly address these issues throughout, occasionally with explicit incidents or comparisons. Is the reader troubled by the characterization of Lake Windsor versus Tangerine? Why or why not? Does the author employ stereotypes, and if so, how and why?
The ability to see clearly is a thematic concern throughout the book, though it resonates differently in different circumstances. What is the difference between sight and insight? How is Paul’s vision different from the rest of his family’s?
What does the future hold for Paul? How will he adjust to St. Anthony’s, based on his recent revelations about his impairment and his abilities? Will he return to Tangerine Middle? How will his relationship with his family, and his father in particular, change, as the revelations about Erik’s character and behavior fully register?
