Essay Questions

What does the black hole represent?

The black hole is the main metaphor in the novel but its meaning is hard to explain because it could be interpreted in many ways. First of all, the black hole could represent the disease in general the teenagers experience in the novel. Second, the black hole could represent here the desire to have sexual relationships the characters in the graphic novel want to experience, something that pulls them and an attraction they can’t control no matter how hard they try.

Why did Chris decide to leave her home?

After Chris was affected by the bug, she realized that the life was never going to be the same. In comparison with other teenagers affected by the bug, her physical deformities were not as obvious as in the case of other people. Other teenagers like Rob were able to live a relative normal life, the effect of the bug not easily noticed. But while other people could easily hide the effect of the bug and pretend everything were alright, other people like Chris was unable to act normal and her behavior raised questions in the minds of her loved ones. Chris’s mother became suspicious and she arranged for her daughter to be seen by a doctor. Knowing that her secret would be found out, Chris decides to run away, deciding to live in the woods rather than letting her family know about her being infected by the bug.

Why could be the reasons why Keith started helping those in the pit?

One of the reasons why Keith may have chosen to help the ones in the pit is because he felt sorry for them. Keith stumbled upon them before he got infected and noticed how they were people just like him. Another reason may be that he wanted to impress Chris. Even though he started bringing food to those in the pit before he found about Chris that may have been one of the reasons why he continued to go there. Another reason may be that Keith become infected as well and thus felt the need to do something for those who were just like him but who could not hide their condition.