The Nickel Boys

Colson WhiteheadFiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2019

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Chapter 3

Chapters 4-6

Chapters 7-9

Chapters 10-13

Chapter 14-Epilogue

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Vocabulary

Essay Topics

Quiz

Tools

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Discussion Questions

Essay Topics

Racism is often subtle and insidious. What are some of the less obvious ways racism affects Elwood, Turner, and Harriet?

Initially, Elwood wants to follow the rules and get out of Nickel unscathed, but finds it impossible. Is he right that there is no logic to how Nickel works, or does he miss cues about how to avoid trouble? Why or why not?

How do Nickel’s racist practices perpetuate terror in the boys?