65 pages • 2 hours read
Catherine Ryan HydePay It Forward
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1999A 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
Who do you perceive as the main character of the novel? Defend your answer using examples from the text.
In the 2000 film adaptation of the novel, two changes are made to the character of Reuben: he is white, and his face was severely burned by his father as a child, instead of mutilated in the Vietnam War. How might these changes affect the progression of the novel, specifically relating to major plot points, themes, and Reuben’s character?
Discuss the structure of the novel—how does its figurative shape echo the novel’s thematic sentiments?
How are Trevor and Reuben similar to one another, and how are they different? Are they more similar or different by the end of the novel?
Discuss the role appearance plays within the novel. How do appearances affect various characters in the book?
At the beginning of the book, Arlene sees the Ford truck as reflecting her own character. Why does she think this? Do you feel the truck symbolizes her character? Why or why not?
Discuss gender roles in the novel, focusing specifically on Arlene’s respective relationships with Ricky and Reuben.
Do you see the city of Atascadero as representative of cultural norms in contemporary American society? Why or why not?
The novel largely concerns human nature, specifically referencing the importance of civic responsibility. How does the novel address these issues?
Addiction plays a role in the lives of at least two of the novel’s characters. Discuss how the author addresses addiction, and how addiction relates to broader themes in the book.
