56 pages 1 hour read

Bethany Hamilton

Soul Surfer

Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2004

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Essay Topics

1.

Soul Surfer begins with this statement from its author: “To be honest, I never wanted to write a book” (xiii). What purpose does this statement serve in accomplishing the goal of creating a connection between the author and the reader?

2.

What is the central question of theodicy? How does it relate to Hamilton’s story?

3.

Soul Surfer is written in a conversational tone and with a first-person point of view. Why do you think Hamilton chose to tell her story herself, as a memoir, rather than let someone else relate the story of the shark attack?