Skink—No Surrender

Why does Hiaasen choose to give Richard two false sightings of the ivorybill before he sees a real one? How does this relate to the plot’s major events?

Is Richard justified in his deception? How do his moral views on deception match Skink’s?

Why is it significant that Terwin dies at the hands of wildlife rather than by the story’s protagonist or one of his closest allies?

The novel begins and ends with Richard on the beach near his home. What elements are the same on both visits? What has changed?

Malley struggles to maintain control of her identity. What do her parents and Terwin have in common concerning her autonomy? What steps does she take to reclaim her identity throughout the novel?

There are clues in Richard’s narration that his grief over his father’s passing in deeper than he acknowledges. What are they, and how do they impact Richard’s journey as the protagonist?

How does Richard’s goal as the novel’s hero change? How does it diverge from Skink’s?

Skink acts as Richard’s mentor, a figure who imparts knowledge and tools to the protagonist. What are some examples of this? How do these tools aid Richard in his quest?