Belly Up

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?