 WHALE TALK Discussion Questions Adult Published Read an Excerpt Thirteen thoughtful discussion questions posted on the web by Claire, Charlene and Scott, April 29 2002. Excerpt Whale Talk - Book Club Discussion Guide Questions From: Claire, Charlene, Scott Date: 29 Apr 2002 Time: 09:35:46 Remote Name: 216.77.240.192 Comments Discussion Guide Questions for Chris Crutcher’s Whale Talk 1. Could TJ’s swim team scenario really happen at a high school? 2. Was the intensity of the bullying at TJ’s school and in his town realistic or exaggerated? 3. If you feel it is exaggerated, do you feel the story is relevant to teens’ lives? Why or why not. 4. What are some of the issues that Whale Talk tackles that are relevant to teens’ lives? 5. Why does TJ put the team together? Is he trying to help other students, prove something to himself, or get revenge? What, ultimately, does TJ learn from the experience? How are his swimmers’ lives changed? 6. What types of parents appear in Whale Talk? What qualities do you think the ideal parent has, from either TJ’s or the author’s point of view? 7. When does TJ’s Dad seem to function as a savior figure? Can you find a quote that supports this idea? 8. We are used to the notion that a novel’s protagonist should develop or “grow” throughout a novel. Does TJ seem to grow or change in the book? 9. What does the author say about coincidences, in the novel? Are there random events? Do you feel that the intertwining of story elements built towards a believable and satisfying story? 10. What does TJ’s Dad’s death mean to TJ? How does it change his life? 11. What does this novel tell us about the abusers and bullies of the world? Is the author’s view sympathetic towards them? 12. Is this more of a novel for males or for females? What will girls get out of the book? Are there many well-developed female characters in this book? Is TJ’s relationship with his girlfriend typical for a high school kid? 13. What does the book’s title relate to? Compare the idea of whale talk vs. the human experience, and how both teens and adults learn how to live their lives. |
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