The Landry News

Newspapers in the novel symbolize the nature of expression and ideas, and underpin the novel’s exploration of how ideas can be shared and debated in a positive way for society. The Landry News is the primary paper of the novel, and the changes it undergoes represent the importance of good journalistic practice and drive the narrative arc and lesson of the book. Prior to the book’s opening, Cara used The Landry News to vent her anger by hurting others. In this way, the novel first presents The Landry News as a poor example of journalism because it was written with deeply subjective and unkind motives. The first edition of The Landry News as shown in the book and Mr. Larson’s reaction to Cara’s editorial jumpstart growth for both characters and show both the potential for good and harm within good journalistic practice. Cara’s editorial is not as cruel as the ones she’s written in the past, and she uses facts to pose questions about Mr. Larson’s teaching style. Mr. Larson initially reacts poorly, but after thinking about the editorial, he realizes Cara is right. The editorial demonstrates the effects of telling the truth, which are traced through the novel’s subsequent events and character development.