Emako Blue

Emako is arguably the main character of the text, and yet readers never read the narrative from her perspective. Why do you think the author made this narrative choice, and how does it shape the text?

Music is an important part of the characters’ lives and an important symbol in the text. What does music symbolize in the text and for each character?

How does Emako’s death affect each character differently? What does it make each character realize or question about themselves or the world?

How do Monterey’s parents try to protect her from harm? Are they able to do this successfully? Why or why not?

Eddie has a unique understanding of Emako’s story and experiences. Why does he understand this more than other characters, and how does this shape his actions and thoughts after Emako’s death?

Jamal expresses frustration with the way the world perceives him as a young Black man. How does this shape his actions and his reaction to Emako’s death?

What realization does Savannah have at the end of the text? How might this realization shape the way she moves forward in the rest of her life?

What role does Dante play in the text, even though he only appears briefly in one scene?