Chauncey’s desire to be a bellhop reflects his drive to help other people. His ambition could be dismissed as insignificant, but it is motivated by a desire to make a positive impact in the world. What is significant about this choice? What does it say about Chauncey’s view of the world and what is important within it?

Many of the characters in the novel experience very real fears about the world. Arthur’s fears are clear in the text; Linus’s are also explored, and the traumas that cause the children’s fears are explained. The villagers also feel fear. How does Klune depict the ways fear can influence a person? What ways do people respond to their fears in the text? What message or messages is the author trying to convey about fear?

The size and shape of bodies is frequently remarked upon throughout the novel. This motif applies to Linus, who feels awkward in his human body, but also to the children, whose appearances are sometimes visibly unusual. How do the characters navigate the social expectations of body shape and size? What impact do size and shape have on the story overall?