Essay Questions

What is the emblematic meaning of the box Brian drops for Apollo?

The box dropped by Apollo’s father represents Brian and Lilian Kagwa’s mementos. The box contains photos of Apollo’s parents and a kid's book that walks him down memory lane to understand the love journey of his parents. Throughout his life, Apollo remembers his father’s influence on his life. When Apollo and his wife are blessed with a baby boy, he names him after his father, Brian.

Why are the cases of mysterious deaths of children on the rise?

Apollo’s son dies mysteriously, and that case replicates many others reported in police stations. Most people do not know what is happening except a few individuals, such as William’s father, who sacrificed children to quench the beast. The police do little to unravel the mystery because they are part of the evil syndicate taking place behind the scenes. The dead children are taken to the land of the witch, where they are buried. Paradoxically, the graves of these children are empty, which unravels the mystery of the sacrifices behind the scenes.

How does Victor LaValle explore the theme of love in The Changeling?

Throughout the novel, the love between Apollo and Emma is epic. The first day Apollo meets Emma at the library, he fantasizes about marrying her, and his dream becomes a reality when they get married. After Emma accidentally kills their son, she runs away after realizing that she has committed a crime. Apollo's love for Emma is intense, and he is ready to pay any price to bring his wife back. On the way, Apollo kills rivals standing on his way to reunite with Emma. In the end, Apollo and Emma reunite. The novel shows the power of love because the characters are ready to do anything to stay together.