Copy and insert the following code on your webpage.
Downloadable / Printable Version
FREE STUDY GUIDE / SUMMARY - THE LOVELY BONES
KEY FACTS
Title
The Lovely Bones
Author
Alice Sebold
Date Published
2002
Genre
Fiction, Supernatural Thriller, and a Bildungsroman
Meaning of the Title
It refers to the actual body of the narrator; it also represents
the cement that binds her family together. See Quotation number 16.
Setting
A small town near or a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from
1973 through 1981
Protagonist
Susie Salmon
|
|
Antagonist
George Harvey, the serial killer as well as grief and guilt and the
impact they have on those left behind after a murder in a family
Mood
Poignant, sad, at times suspenseful, uplifting
Point of View
First person (Susie narrates the entire story)
Tense
This story is written in the past tense, for Susie tells it after
she and her family have resolved the problems which result when she is
killed.
Rising Action
From the beginning of the novel when Susie is murdered until she
“falls” into Ruth’s body and fulfills her greatest desire.
Exposition
Susie Salmon is raped and murdered; her family copes with numerous
problems as a result; the murderer leaves town when he realizes her family
knows he killed her; the murderer is never caught, but dies as a result
of Susie’s “icicle”; Susie and her family resolve the issues which divide
them after Susie dies; Susie wishes us all a long and happy life.
Climax
Susie is able to fulfill her desire to really grow up when Heaven
allows her to inhabit Ruth’s body and make love to Ray.
Outcome
Susie’s family repairs the break in their bonds and moves on without
Susie, but also without forgetting her. Susie is finally able to give
up Earth and find her true Heaven.
Major Theme
The power of grief
Minor Themes
Love and Acceptance; Good versus Evil; the Feminist View of Rape
Downloadable / Printable Version
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold Free BookNotes Summary
Visit our partner PinkMonkey.com
for more online Study Guides
Privacy Policy
All Content Copyright©TheBestNotes. All Rights Reserved.
No further distribution
without written consent.
118
Users Online | This page has been viewed 45 times
This page was
last updated on 5/12/2008 1:06:29 AM
|
Cite this page:
Clapsaddle, Diane. "TheBestNotes on The Lovely Bones".
TheBestNotes.com.
. 12 May 2008 |