Love, Simon - themes, setting, characters, conflict, climax

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

Love, Simon - themes, setting, characters, conflict, climax

Plot (storyline)

Leah informs Simon about an online confession of a closeted gay classmate at their high school, known as  "Blue". 

Simon begins communicating with Blue via email using the pseudonym "Jacques". 

The two confide personal details and form a connection. Their emails are accidentally discovered by a classmate, Martin, who is infatuated with Abby. After learning his secret, Martin threatens to out Simon by making his emails public unless he helps him win over Abby. Simon begins trying to figure out which of his classmates is actually Blue.

At a Halloween party, Simon suspects his classmate Bram might be Blue and attempts to connect with him, but later walks in on Bram making out with a girl. Nick confides in Simon that he has feelings for Abby. Simon lies to Nick, telling him that Abby has a boyfriend in college. Leah walks a drunk Simon home, where she speaks vaguely about how she feels that she is fated to love one person very intensely; Simon believes she is referring to Nick.

On Christmas Eve, to distract people from his own humiliation, Martin outs Simon by posting his emails on the school's gossip site. Simon's sister, Nora, tries to comfort Simon but he shuts her out and does not return his friends' texts and calls. Simon comes out to his parents on Christmas morning, to their surprise and acceptance.

Plot - continued

Simon meets up with Abby and Martin at a Waffle House after he convinces them to practice lines together for an upcoming school musical. Simon bonds with their server, a classmate named Lyle, and now suspects that Lyle may be Blue. That night, Simon comes out to Abby and is relieved when she reacts positively.

At a school football game, Simon crosses paths with Lyle; before he can summon the courage to ask if Lyle is Blue, he finds out Lyle is actually interested in Abby. An upset Simon tells a pestering Martin to either "go big or go home" when courting Abby. Martin interrupts the national anthem and publicly declares his feelings for Abby. When Abby admits she does not share those feelings, Martin is humiliated and becomes the subject of ridicule.

On Christmas Eve, to distract people from his own humiliation, Martin outs Simon by posting his emails on the school's gossip site. Simon's sister, Nora, tries to comfort Simon but he shuts her out and does not return his friends' texts and calls. Simon comes out to his parents on Christmas morning, to their surprise and acceptance.

Themes (universal idea about life)

Secrecy - Simon Spier's coming out journey

Normativity - the concept of normal - the main character fears that his sexual orientation is the only reason that he is different from everyone else, but  young adults can relate to Simon beyond what makes him different—we can recognize ourselves in his quirks, his shenanigans, his triumphs and even his heartbreaks.

Acceptance - Simon fears for the acceptance of his sexual orientation; feeling connected with others and being authentic (fear and wanting to stay connected slows down the coming out)

Setting/main characters

Setting  

WHERE = Suburb of Atlanta & high school

WHEN = Modern day and age (2020s)

Main characters:

Simon = protagonist (good guy, needs to overcome the conflict)

Martin = antagonist (bad guy, causes the conflict)

Secondary characters: Nick, Leah, Abby, Bram, Ethan, the parents (Emily and Jack) and his sister (Nora)

Conflict

Being forced to keep a secret - external conflict caused by Martin*

Doubts about coming out / feeling normal - internal conflict 

*Leah informs Simon about an online confession of a closeted gay classmate at their high school, known only by the pseudonym "Blue". Simon begins communicating with Blue via email using the pseudonym "Jacques". The two confide personal details and form a connection. Their emails are accidentally discovered by a classmate, Martin, who is infatuated with Abby. After learning his secret, Martin threatens to out Simon by making his emails public unless he helps him win over Abby

Climax (highest point of interest/protagonist solves conflict)

After the school musical, Leah, Nick and Abby make amends with Simon and invite him to go to the carnival with them. 

Waiting for Blue at the carnival, Simon rides the Ferris wheel, drawing a large crowd of classmates. 

When Simon runs out of tickets, Martin buys him one more ride. 

CLIMAX:

Just before the ride begins, Bram sits next to Simon, revealing himself as Blue; the kiss with a girl was a drunken error.

They ride the Ferris wheel together and kiss as their friends and classmates cheer them on.

Book review

Requirements

· Your critical analysis should have at least three elements (plot, setting, main characters, conflict, climax, themes). Make sure you explain your opinion.

· Your review should have at least 400 words.

Tips:

· Use linking words to guide your reader (First of all, moreover, not only, despite, however, even though, also, etc.)

· Use adjectives to describe and give your opinion (e.g. an inebriated Simon, a closeted gay)

· Explain your opinion using examples from the novel to prove that you have read it

Book review

4 paragraphs - in total 400 words (=minimum):

Introduction - attention grabbing sentence, no spoilers, key facts of the novel and name of author - approx. 100 words

Paragraph 2 - describe the plot (storyline) of the novel Love, Simon - approx. 150 words

Paragraph 3 - describe the questions asked - zoom in on 3 of the following elements: setting, main characters/protagonist vs antagonist, conflict, themes, climax - approx. 150 words

Paragraph 4 - your opinion and recommendation - approx. 100 words

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