52 pages • 1 hour read
Belly Up
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Essay Topics
How does the author’s use of first-person narration shape the reader’s understanding of the protagonist? How does telling the story from Teddy’s perspective affect other characters’ development and enhance the novel’s suspense?
What factors contribute to Teddy’s deep love of animals? In what ways does his investigation represent a conflict between environmental ethics and greed? Consider the mysteries Teddy has to solve and the commonalities between the antagonists’ motives.
How does the author employ the motif of FunJungle merchandise to develop the theme of The Purposes of Environmental Ethics Versus Greed? How do the motif’s appearances throughout the novel connect to Henry’s murder, develop the setting, and foreshadow the revelation of McCracken’s secret plans for the park?
What obstacles does the young detective face in his investigation, and how does he overcome them with bravery and perseverance? Besides Teddy, what other characters demonstrate these traits? Analyze the development of the characters throughout their investigation.
What is Teddy’s motivation at the start of the novel, and how does this shift over the course of his investigation? How do he and Summer demonstrate Using Curiosity and Resourcefulness to Illuminate Social Issues through their detective work? Analyze their relationship to this theme.
Throughout the novel, the author weaves an abundance of information about animals into Teddy’s narration. How does this information develop the theme of environmental ethics, the protagonist’s characterization, and the plot? What might the author be trying to do with this format?
Emeralds figure prominently in the schemes of Martin del Gato and Buck Grassley. What do these stones symbolize? How does this symbol contribute to the novel’s themes and plot?
How is FunJungle both an impressive, exciting place and a corrupt, dangerous one? How does this setting affect the novel’s structure and the theme of environmental ethics? How is Teddy influenced by the park, and how does he impact it in return?
How does the secret key code serve as a symbol of privilege? How does this symbol advance Summer’s characterization and the plot? What social commentary might the author be providing by making the code integral to Teddy’s investigation?
How do Stuart Gibbs’s academic and professional backgrounds connect to the novel’s setting? How do the story’s themes and the overall message of the FunJungle series reflect the author’s values? What does the novel say about conservation, for instance?
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By Stuart Gibbs
