Hoot

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2002

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-7

Chapters 8-16

Chapter 17-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Literary Devices

Third-person Limited Perspective

The most common viewpoint in fiction is the “third-person omniscient perspective,” the viewpoint of an all-seeing narrator. Hook uses a different approach, “third-person limited perspective,” in which the story is told by a narrator from the viewpoint of one of the characters. Hook takes this approach a step further by sharing the perspective across three characters.

With few exceptions, the story is told, in turn, from the points of view of Roy, Curly, and Delinko. Roy is the central protagonist; Curly represents the interests of the Mother Paula corporation and serves as the main antagonist by proxy; and Delinko, who stands in for the city of Coconut Cove, is caught in the middle. When we are with Roy, we see the story from his youthful viewpoint; when we are with Curly, we see things through his impatient eyes; and when we are with Delinko, we see the events as he sees them, simply and without much intelligence.

Because the tale is told sequentially from their viewpoints, this unique use of the third-person limited perspective naturally gives prominence to Roy, Curly, and Delinko, who effectively become the three most important characters. There are many other characters, and, because each of them contributes in interesting ways to the tale, it simplifies things to know the thoughts of only the three main players, who act as witnesses to the words and deeds of the other characters.

Parallelism and Apposition

The story contains several plot and character elements that run in parallel, though their differences create distinct, apposite contrasts. (Apposition is placing two things next to each other, often for comparison.)

For example, Roy faces two opponents, each of whom is vastly stronger than he is. Dana the bully can beat him up easily, and the Mother Paula’s corporation seems powerful enough to overcome any resistance Roy might pose. The challenge for Roy, in each case, is to outthink and outmaneuver his opponents. Another parallel exists between Dana and Mullet. Each comes from a dysfunctional family that contains a passive father and cruel mother. Dana turns to crime, while Mullet chooses to become a fighter for an environmental cause.

Roy and Mullet appear to be opposites, but they, too, run on parallel lines. Roy is a law-abiding young student, whereas Mullet is something of an outlaw, yet the two join forces to fight against the same corporate danger. Each brings different skills: Roy employs his smarts and a lawful public presentation to confront the problem from one side, while Mullet uses his stealth to continue his vandalism campaign from the other.

Mullet sometimes runs across town on a path parallel to the school bus. At first, it appears as if the two have nothing in common. The bus delivers its cargo, apparently in safety, to school, while the boy must run, barefoot and alone, across a hostile neighborhood. Yet it is the bus that contains dangers in the form of bullies, while Mullet, knowing the territory and taking responsibility for his safety, is, in many respects, much safer than the students on the bus.