Esther
2024년 4월 29일
a journey towards freedom and self-discovery through the power of friendship and imagination
27년 동안 한 낡은 쇼핑몰의 우리 안에 갇혀 살아온 고릴라 Ivan, 지혜로운 코끼리 Stella, 떠돌이 개 Bob, 그리고 그림 그리는 것을 좋아하는 관리인의 딸 Julia가 한데 뭉쳐 Ruby라는 아기 코끼리의 운명을 바꾸게 된다는 이야기입니다. 우정과 자유, 자기 발견과 같은 묵직한 주제를 말하면서 동시에 아이들에게 착취, 상실, 갇혀지내는 것의 의미를 보여주는 특별한 내러티브입니다.
What does Ivan mean when he says, “In my size humans see a test of themselves” (p. 4), and “I am too much gorilla and not enough human” (p. 7)? Why does the sign for the Big Top Mall show Ivan as angry and fierce? Why doesn’t Ivan express any anger in the beginning of the story?
What are the characteristics of Stella and Bob that make Ivan call them his best friends? Why is each of them important to Ivan? What do Ivan and Stella have in common? How are they alike, and how are they different? What does Stella mean when she says, “Old age is a powerful disguise” (p. 31)?
Discuss the special bond between Julia and Ivan. Why is she different from all the other children who come to see his shows? Why do people pay for Ivan’s drawings if they don’t recognize what he has drawn? Why is Ivan’s art important to Mack? Why is it important to Julia?
What is the importance of the television in Ivan’s cage? What does he learn from watching the television? Why does he like Westerns, and what does he learn from the nature shows? What do you learn from television? What would you say is the most important thing television has taught you?
Why is Bob so independent? What makes him trust Ivan enough to sleep on Ivan’s stomach? What events in Bob’s life have shaped his personality? How does Bob’s experience with humans compare to Ivan’s?
Compare the personalities of Mack and George. How are they alike, and how are they different? What is the meaning of “family” to each of them? What are the contradictions in Mack’s character?
What does Stella mean when she says, “A good zoo is how humans make amends” (p. 64)? What is the importance of the story that Stella tells about Jambo (pp. 63-66)? What does it tell us about gorillas? Compare that story to Ruby’s story about the humans who rescued her in the jungle (pp. 101-104). What does this story tell us about some humans?
What is Ivan’s initial reaction to the arrival of Ruby? Compare Ruby’s arrival with that of a new baby in a human household. How does her arrival affect all the other animals at the mall? When and why do Ivan’s feelings about Ruby change?
Why does Ivan promise Stella that he will take care of Ruby when he knows how hard it will be to keep that promise? How does Ivan know that Stella is gone before anyone else does?
Discuss the importance of memory in this story. How does Ivan’s perception change when he begins to remember more of his own history? What are his most vivid memories? What was Ivan’s name in the forest? Why is it important for him to remember his name and his life as a baby gorilla?
What is the turning point in the story? When does Ivan start to believe that he will be able to help Ruby, and perhaps himself as well? What events come together to change Ivan’s acceptance of the situation and to help him grow into his own strength and wisdom? How do you know he is changing?
How does Julia convince her father that Ivan’s picture has a very important meaning? Why does George agree to help Julia display Ivan’s art on the billboard, even though he knows it might cost him his job? Discuss the meaning of the word “principle.”
Why is Ivan reluctant to join the other gorillas when he arrives at the zoo? How does he learn to be a true gorilla? What does he need to do to be accepted by the others? How do you feel when you are in a situation with other children you don’t know?
Discuss the theme of belonging in this story, from the point of view of each of the characters. What is the meaning of belonging for each of them? What does the idea of belonging mean to you?
* Discussion questions are cited from harpercollins.com