Ghost Essay Questions

What role does trust play in Ghost?

Trust plays a significant role in Ghost as one of the book's major themes. One of the ways Reynolds explores the theme is through Castle's relationship with Mr. Charles, the local shopkeeper, who Castle and his mother trust to keep them safe during a crisis. The theme also arises when Castle and his mother initially distrust Coach Brody, but because of his consistent actions as a reliable mentor, they eventually come to trust him. The theme of trust is also showcased during a team-building exercise where Coach Brody asks the new runners to share personal information with each other. This exercise fosters a sense of trust and cooperation among the athletes, allowing them to overcome their competitive attitudes and work together as a cohesive team. Ultimately, Castle's expanding network of people he can trust provides a foundation of emotional support to help propel him forward as an athlete.

What is the significance of the fact Castle doesn't own appropriate exercise clothing and shoes when he joins the Defenders?

Castle's lack of athletic shoes and clothing is significant because it is a symbol of his poverty. Despite running his first sprint in jeans and regular sneakers, Castle realizes the disadvantage they bring to his performance. Unlike the other track team members with fancy gear, Castle understands his mother's finances are tight and refrains from asking for more. He tries to improve the situation by modifying his sneakers, but the result only earns ridicule from others. In a moment of recklessness, he steals a pair of "silver bullet" running shoes from Everything Sports. In this way, Castle's desire to obscure his poverty and solidify his place on the Defenders leads to an improvement in performance that simultaneously jeopardizes his ability to stay on the team, as his mother insisted he could only run track if he stayed out of trouble.

How does Reynolds explore trauma in Ghost?

The theme of trauma—emotional shock stemming from a stressful event—is central to Ghost. Reynolds introduces the theme when Castle recalls the traumatic incident of his father shooting at him and his mother as they ran from their home. This event continues to affect Castle throughout the book, resurfacing in different situations. One such instance is when he becomes trapped in a storage room at Mr. Charles's store, which was the same room where he and his mother sought refuge during the shooting incident. Another example is at the track meet at the end of the book, where the sound of the starter's pistol reminds Castle of the gunshots from the traumatic night and causes him to experience post-traumatic stress.

What role does discipline play in Ghost?

Discipline, the practice of controlling behavior through training, is a central theme in Ghost. Castle's tendency to misbehave at school puts his place on the track team in jeopardy, leading him to try to adopt a more disciplined lifestyle. However, a mere seventeen hours after joining the Defenders, Castle finds himself drawn into a physical fight with Brandon that reveals how Castle still struggles to follow rules. Coach Brody then introduces Castle to a structured training regimen, complete with consequences for misbehavior, such as cleaning the coach's cab or training in his old, ruined sneakers. This new system of rules provides Castle with both physical and mental training, helping him stay out of trouble at school and manage his homework during rides home in the coach's cab.

What is the significance of Coach Brody's tattoo?

The gold medal tattoo on Coach Brody's chest is a symbol of the troubled background he shares in common with Castle. Castle is aware that his coach once won an Olympic medal, but it isn't until he sees the gold medal tattoo on Coach's chest that he understands the complete story. Coach Brody confides in Castle that he had to get the medal tattooed on his skin because his father, who was addicted to heroin, sold the real medal to buy a twenty-dollar overdose of heroin that killed him. This personal revelation shows Castle that Coach Brody has faced similar challenges to his own, and inspires Castle to overcome the adversity of his father's dysfunction and become a high-level athlete.