Criss Cross

Analyze the interconnection between Criss Cross and Perkins’s 1999 novel All Alone in the Night. How do the narrative threads from Debbie’s story in All Alone in the Night connect to the narrative dynamics in Criss Cross? What changes has Debbie undergone from one book to the next, and which experiences inform these changes?

Write an argumentative essay that supports or challenges the following claim: Debbie’s life in Seldem is holding her back. Consider which aspects of Debbie’s hometown reality impact how she sees herself. How would Debbie’s story change if she lived elsewhere, or moved during the course of the novel?

Explore how Debbie’s, Hector’s, Lenny’s, Patty’s, and Phil’s friendships relate to their individual self-discovery journeys. Do these friendships encourage or stunt their growth? Cite specific scenes and dynamics from the text.

Compare and contrast Debbie and Hector’s coming-of-age experiences. How do their crushes, passions, and longings help them to change? How would their comings of age differ if they were closer friends?

Explore the symbolic significance of the “Criss Cross” radio show. What does the program represent? What role does it play in the characters’ interpersonal relationships and personal explorations?

Analyze the role of the novel’s temporal and geographical settings to its overarching mood. Which seasonal, atmospheric, environmental, cultural, and/or geographical factors define the overarching narrative world? How do these factors relate to the novel’s conflicts and themes?

The characters frequently discuss notions of fate, religion, and chance. How do these conversations relate to the characters’ Search for Meaning and Understanding? Are Perkins’ portrayals of these topics believable or unbelievable, and why?

Explore the symbolic significance of photographs throughout the novel. How do the characters relate to and interact with photo albums, framed photos, or yearbook photos, and why? Consider how this recurring imagery relates to the novel’s explorations of identity, meaning, and the past.