Shuggie Bain Lesson Plan

Examine the motif of coins throughout the novel thus far. What do coins represent, and why do you think the characters are preoccupied with coins in particular as a denomination of currency (as opposed to bills or large material assets)?

Students might begin by identifying various instances in the novel where coins appear, and how they are treated by the author and how they are interacted with by the characters. They might point to Chapter 1, where Shuggie arranges his coins “first by worth, then by their mint and shine”, or when he “mournfully” gives up a 50-pence coin to get some hot water for bathing. Or they may cite the cards scene in Chapter 2, in which Nan’s...