The Season of Styx Malone

Pixie is a quirky, eccentric young girl whom Caleb finds intriguing. What does Pixie’s character represent symbolically in the novel? Why do she and Styx, who come from different backgrounds and have notably distinct personalities, get along so well? Cite story details and at least two lines of dialogue by Pixie in your answer.

Caleb’s existing conflict as the story opens involves his perception of Dad’s focus on ordinary. How is the motif of fathers and sons otherwise apparent in the story? What theme comes across from the repeated mention of fathers and sons? Realize that some father-son interactions might not be based on a biological relationship. Reference details from the text in your response.

The story shows a dichotomy between childhood and growing up. Caleb certainly wants to show Styx that he is adultlike, yet he shows he is still a child in many ways. Make a list of Caleb’s childlike behaviors and a list of his attempts to demonstrate maturity. Analyze the point in the narrative each occurs (beginning, middle end). What conclusions can you draw about Caleb’s coming-of-age, based on your lists and analyses?

The story unfolds in first-person point of view through Caleb’s characteristic voice. Voice in a narrative conveys characterization through word choice, phrasing, comic timing, reactions, and interior monologue. It impacts tone, mood, and pace. How might you describe the storytelling if the voice belonged to Styx instead of Caleb? Select two or three scenes and imagine them told by Styx. What are the changes you envision to tone, mood, and pace? Base your answer on character evidence.

Dad holds a steady opinion about keeping his family safe throughout most of the book. He proves to be a dynamic character, however, as he begins to allow family trips out of Sutton and introduce the boys to other places. Is Caleb and Bobby Gene’s mother a dynamic character? Explain your answer with details from the text.

Caleb and Bobby Gene have a busy and meaningful summer. Caleb does not detail his school life at all in the novel; readers get no information about his classes, teachers, school friends, or progress. Based on their character actions, personalities, and decision-making patterns in the novel, speculate on the kinds of students Caleb and Bobby Gene are. Offer points of characterization from the narrative to support your speculation.

Caleb and Bobby Gene live fairly sheltered lives in Sutton, and their infractions against their parents’ rules are minor for the first half of the novel. When they board the train, however, real danger comes into play. How do the train ride and the motor theft change the mood and direction of the plot, and what do those decisions symbolize for the brothers? How is their relationship different afterward? How is their relationship with Styx different?

Each chapter title in The Season of Styx Malone foreshadows some important theme, idea, event, or detail in the chapter. Select three or four chapters whose titles you think are particularly apt in foreshadowing the contents and discuss the author’s choice of title. Alternatively, choose three or four chapters whose title you would like to change; explain your rationale based on events for your revised title.