The Shape of Thunder

Violence Motivated by Racism continues to feature as a prevalent theme as Cora points out to Quinn that “the news said that Parker was active on all these forums full of people who hated women and immigrants and Muslims” (158-59). This causes Cora to wonder aloud to Quinn “whether [Parker] picked Mabel on purpose or if […] it was at random” (159). Parker’s interest in the forums suggests that his murder of Mabel was racially motivated by the Hamed family’s ethnicity, Lebanese, and their religion, Islam. Furthermore, Quinn tells Cora that Parker “would say awful things at dinner sometimes,” but she is ashamed of Parker’s comments and will not elaborate (156). It is implied that Parker touted sexist and racist ideology. Parker’s interaction with these online forums had an immensely damaging impact that devastated his community, including the tragedy of his taking his own life. Warga’s characterization of Parker highlights the dangers of unsupervised internet browsing for disenfranchised and isolated individuals, particularly children, who are looking for identity and belief systems online. Rather than blaming Parker as an individual, Warga draws attention to more systemic problems, such as online radicalization and gun access, as the causes of school shootings.

Warga continues to parallel racism with hate crimes. She demonstrates that racism and hatred in general can start small and grow into dangerous and devastating forces. Warga critiques racism in society and the media through Cora’s discerning comments. Cora criticizes the coverage of shootings committed by children in the media, as she comments, “when white boys like Parker commit a violent crime, everyone tries to figure out why they did it. But when a Black or brown kid does something like that, no one asks more questions” (158). Cora outlines the media’s racist representation of children of color as inherently criminal, as opposed to white perpetrators for whom an agenda or motivation must be discovered.

Furthermore, Cora continues to struggle with her identity as an Arab American. She feels that she is “not Arab enough,” but at the same time, “too Arab” (158) and that she is unreasonably expected to have knowledge of the Arabic language and the Middle East, but also that she should adhere to the trope of the white-washed American teenager. She feels caught between these cultural currents and struggles to fully identify with either. This feeling of exclusion further exacerbates Cora’s grief for her sister, Mabel, who was “the only other person who got it” (158).

Grief and Guilt After the Loss of A Sibling is explored through the journeys of Cora and Quinn as they continue to struggle with navigating immense grief. Cora feels isolated by the intensity of her grief for Mabel. Quinn does not feel that she deserves the relief of crying, because she did not manage to stop Parker committing his crimes. In a letter to Parker, she tells him, “every time I think about you and what you did, I want to cry, but I try not to let myself. The pain goes away a little when I cry. And I know I deserve to feel the hurt” (225). She remembers seeing him opening their father’s safe, and, overwhelmed and confused, she did not intervene. Quinn’s guilt for Parker’s actions keeps her stuck in her grief.

Cora also struggles with guilt alongside her grief. She avoids Quinn’s companionship, even though they are experiencing similar losses, because it feels like a betrayal of Mabel. Cora worries that “[She] might be a bad sister because [She’s] talking to Quinn again” (190). The time travel plan allows her the solace of spending time with her best friend as she thinks, “another awesome thing about this plan is that if it works, Quinn can be my best friend again” (161).

Healing Through Human Connection and Hope is presented again by Warga as an important and recurring theme. Quinn and Cora needed this joint mission, not to turn back time, but to rediscover their friendship and support each other through grief. Their resumed friendship allows healing to take place in both. This is especially essential for Quinn, whose family is incapable of talking about Parker’s crime and death. Her mother shuts down and tells Quinn that she “can’t handle this right now” when Quinn begs her to talk about Parker’s murders and suicide (210). Quinn’s father turns to the television rather than talking to her more about her feelings of distress, confusion, and isolation. This leaves Quinn feeling frustrated, illustrating the extent of her loneliness in the confusing aftermath of her brother’s death.

Cora’s residual trauma in the aftermath of her sister’s murder is further characterized in her feelings of panic at the Quiz Bowl away game, as she thinks, “I’m not familiar with the schools, so I don’t know where all the exits are or how to get out quickly if I need to” (182). Cora’s trauma results in her distraction at the Quiz Bowl and a loss of innocence as she must mentally plan her escape in case of a shooting. Through Cora’s point of view, Warga prompts readers to consider the legitimate impacts for children who have been affected by gun violence.