4. How much homework does Tyler figure he has on his first night of the new school year, and what does he think he needs to do about his course schedule?

5. How do Tyler and Hannah get to school, and why is Yoda distracted driving the car?

6. Where is Tyler's family going in Chapter three, and what does Tyler's father ask him to do?

7. Why happens when Tyler is called into Mr. Hughes' office in Chapter Thirty?

8. What does Tyler do for dinner when he thinks he is alone, and what does he do when he notices his father is home?

9. What does Tyler ask his mom to buy him, and what is her response?

10. Why were Tyler's father and grandfather disappointed in Tyler when he was in Little League?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The scene with the gun in Tyler's father's bedroom is enlightening. Tyler has long tried to fulfill his father's image. He is trying to live up to his father's expectations and everyone else's. He feels that he has failed. Then, he realizes that he is bigger than they are, not less, and that he can be more than what they think. It takes him putting the gun in his mouth and debating to realize that this is not what he wants.

1. Discuss the ways in which you see Tyler attempting to fulfill his father's image. Use examples from Twisted to support your answer.

2. Discuss why it might not be healthy for someone to try to live up to other people's expectations. Use examples from your own life and Twisted to support your answer.

3. Discuss the ways in which Tyler might be considered bigger than those who harass him or do not believe in him. Use examples from Twisted to support your answer.

4. Looking ahead five years in Tyler's life, when he is around 23, how do you think his life will be different from what it was up until he was eighteen, due to the awareness he had in the bedroom? Use examples from Twisted to support your answer.

Essay Topic 2

Many novels, perhaps a majority of novels, end on a happy note. Discuss the following:

1. Why do you think many (most?) people want a novel to end with what they consider a happy or good ending? Explain your opinion. Do you want a happy ending? Why or why not?

2. What are three reasons to read fiction? Discuss Twisted in light of each one. Does Twisted fulfill all three, two, or one of the reasons you mention. Give examples as to why Twisted is or is not successful in fulfilling the reasons you discuss.

3. Do you think reading solely for entertainment is as good a reason to read as any other? Why or why not? Can any work of fiction or non-fiction, no matter how poorly written, enlighten, teach, or stimulate thought? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Is Tyler's life really so bad that he should commit suicide? Tyler decides it would be easier to just run away. He thinks that this will solve his problems, and that he can have a new start. Running away as a solution is not atypical for some teenagers; he isn't alone in these feelings. While, things in his life are worse than for many, running away rarely solves a person's problems. Would it really be a clean start? Would he really get to have a better life?

1. Do you think suicide is ever justified? If not, why not? If so, do you believe that Tyler's life is bad enough to commit suicide over? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Twisted to support your answer.

2. Discuss, in depth, why running away, literally or figuratively, does not necessarily solve a person's problems. Use examples from your own life and Twisted to support your answer.

4. Do you agree with Janitor Joe's assessment of Tyler? Why or why not? Use examples from your own life and Twisted to support your answer.

(see the answer keys)

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