45 pages • 1 hour read
Point of Retreat
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Essay Topics
Content Warning: The section of the guide includes discussion of death.
Analyze the narrative function of the car crash that occurs immediately after Will and Lake’s reconciliation. How does this sudden shift from emotional resolution to physical trauma serve to test the authenticity of a love newly defined beyond shared circumstances?
What impact does Lake’s tendency to “carve pumpkins” have on the plot, forcing Will to evolve beyond verbal reassurance and demonstrate his love in a more tangible, performative way? Cite specific examples from the text to support your argument.
How does Will’s climactic slam poem use mundane symbolism, such as the garden gnome and receipt, to resolve the central conflict over the foundation of his and Lake’s relationship?
