Compare and Contrast
While Red Ruby Heart covers a longer time span than The Chocolate War, features a female protagonist, and has a much more diverse cast of characters, the two books do share a few similarities. For one thing, both deal with the loss of a parent, and for another, both address the difficulties associated with coming of age, so to speak.
As you read, consider the similarities (and differences) between Florine Gilham and Jerry Renault and between the novels overall. This will be one aspect of our group discussion.
Sense of Time and Place
One thing book reviewers consistently say about Red Ruby Heart is that Rogers has done a wonderful job establishing a "sense of place." So another thing I'd like you to think about as you read is the representation of Maine in Red Ruby Heart. Yes, I know, the novel is set in Maine in the 1960s, and none of you were around then. Believe it or not, neither was I, but--we are all currently living in Maine and many of us were born here. How does the sense of Maine in this novel compare with your sense of Maine today? What has changed? What's still the same?
Assignment
Finally, in order to prepare in advance for the discussion, please respond (in writing) to one of the following prompts:
1. Both Red Ruby Heart in a Cold Blue Sea and The Chocolate War feature characters who have to deal with growing up and finding their place in the world following the death of a parent. With which character were you able to identify more and why?
2. We see Florine navigate many ups and downs over the course of the novel. Plot out a "story arc" for Florine--which doesn't have to be an arc at all--using Kurt Vonnegut's arc for Cinderella (left) as a model. Be sure to label her various highs, lows, and in-betweens. Note: Since RRH in a CBS is a novel and Cinderella is a short story, Florine's "arc" will likely be more complex.
3. As mentioned above, Rogers is credited with creating a great sense of place in this novel, but how has she done it? Find specific passages and images in Red Ruby Heart that help to establish the sense of place that is uniquely Maine and explain what each of these passages communicates about our great state and/or the novel's time period.
Enjoy reading, and I'll see you all on the 12th (if not before)!
