37 pages • 1-hour read
When No One Is Watching
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Essay Topics
How does Alyssa Cole use foreshadowing to develop tension and conflict? List at least three examples of foreshadowing (via character interactions, imagery, OurHood posts, etc.).
In what ways does Cole use history to develop her characters and themes? List at least three examples.
What message does Cole emphasize about the resilience of the Black community throughout her novel? List at least three examples.
How does Theo’s character both represent and subvert the trope of white male privilege? Why is this duality important to the novel?
How does Cole characterize Sydney as both vulnerable and empowered?
What is the symbolic importance of destroying the abandoned hospital with fire?
What social criticism about American pharmaceutical monopoly does Cole develop in this novel?
Weigh the pros and cons of gentrification. Do you think gentrification is ultimately a good thing? Explain your reasoning.
How does social media increase tension in the novel (i.e., the OurHood app)? What larger message is Cole communicating about the power and danger of social media?
Explore the moral ramifications of Sydney burying her mother in the community garden. Remember to include an examination of the pressure placed on Sydney and the stakes of losing the house.
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