Essay Questions

How is the theme of isolation discussed in the novel?

Max and Kevin are the primary focal points through which this theme is discussed. The two are united by the experience of isolation and loneliness: Max is segregated by the other kids because he is unusually large, not to bright, and for his father’s reputation as a hardened criminal and Kevin is unaccepted by the other kids because he is very small, frail, and sickly. The two however find comfort in each other’s strangeness and they bond over their common lament. Despite their deep bond though the pair both keep secrets from one another fearing the vulnerability that this will bring. The novel ends with Kevin’s passing and his subsequent parting gift to his friend: the gift of forgiveness and a tool for Max to articulate his emotions so that he can cope with the loss of his best--possibly only--friend.

How is the theme of betrayal discussed in the novel?

Ironically, Kevin and Max’s relationship is characterized by dishonesty: Kevin lies to Max about the severity of his condition. Max on the other hand withholds information about his parents as he is deeply embarrassed by his father’s incarceration and the reason he was put in jail. Although Kevin is well meaning in that he wants to spare his slow friend from the painful truth of his illness in doing this he also denies Max of the ability to truly value the time they spend together as well as the necessary emotional readiness to cope with Kevin’s impending and unavoidable death. In intentionally deciding to suppress information Kevin betrays his friend as well as his own inability to face his demise. Betrayal is also present in the other relationships between characters. Max’s father betrays him in choosing to murder his mother and kidnapping Max while on parole. Up to the end of Kevin’s life Max continues to receive doses of betrayal: he is led to believe that Kevin’s will be receiving prosthetic limb surgery and even his teachers refuse to tell him of his best friend’s passing.

What does the blank journal symbolize?

In the end Max forgives Kevin and by giving him a journal with the command to fill it up with their adventures together he is being given a new beginning, a new opportunity to put all the bitterness of the past behind him. Easier said than done of course given Max’s learned helplessness--he is convinced he cannot write. Thankfully Kevin has given him instructions on how to write--doing so as if he were just having a conversation, recounting all the fun things they did together.