Characters and Plot of Flush

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Describe Dana Matherson.

Bully, beats up Roy, bigger than Roy.

Who is Roy Eberhardt?

New student at Trace Middle who sees the running boy.

What is strange about the running boy?

He has no shoes or backpack and he is not in school.

What is the name of the pancake house being built in Coconut Cove?

Mother Paula's Pancake House. Signup and view all the answers

What keeps happening at the construction site?

Someone keeps vandalizing the construction site. Signup and view all the answers

What is in the holes in the ground at the construction site?

Owls. Signup and view all the answers

What is Officer Delinko's theory about the vandalism at the construction site?

Officer Delinko thinks someone has a grudge against the pancake house. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Roy's family move around so much?

Roy's dad works for the Department of Justice and he keeps getting promoted. Signup and view all the answers

Why does Roy partly blame himself for the nickname of 'cowgirl' that Dana gave him?

He told everyone he was from Bozeman, Montana. Signup and view all the answers

What did Roy do to Dana on the bus?

Roy punched Dana because he had been bullying him. Signup and view all the answers

What was Roy's punishment for hurting Dana?

He was suspended from the bus and had to write a letter of apology to Dana. Signup and view all the answers

What did the vandals put in the Travelin' Johnny?

Alligators. Signup and view all the answers

How did Roy's parents react to him getting into trouble at school?

They see Roy as a victim and think Dana should be punished, but they make Roy write the apology letter. Signup and view all the answers

What happened to Officer Delinko's car at the construction site?

Someone spray painted the windows because he fell asleep. Signup and view all the answers

What does Roy find as he makes his way past the trees at the golf course?

The running boy has a campsite where he appears to be living. Signup and view all the answers

What does the running boy do to Roy?

He covers Roy's head so that he cannot see him, then leaves. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the boy that Roy assumes is the running boy?

Mullet Fingers. Signup and view all the answers

Who is the author of Hoot?

Carl Hiaasen. Signup and view all the answers

What genre of literature best describes Hoot?

Realistic fiction. Signup and view all the answers

When the narrator describes Roy's encounter with the Grizzly bears, this is an example of what type of plot technique?

Flashback. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the country best describes the setting in Hoot?

Florida. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Beatrice Leep.

A girl from Trace Middle School, tough, confident. Signup and view all the answers

Describe Garrett.

A troublemaker whose mom works as a counselor at Trace Middle School. Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the town where Hoot takes place?

Coconut Cove. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Characters

Dana Matherson: A bully at Trace Middle, physically larger than Roy Eberhardt, becomes an antagonist through his actions.
Roy Eberhardt: New student at Trace Middle who discovers the mysterious running boy and faces bullying.
Beatrice Leep: Tough and confident girl from Trace Middle, likely plays a significant role alongside Roy.
Garrett: A troublemaker whose mother is a counselor at Trace Middle, adds to the school dynamics.

Key Plot Points

The Running Boy: Mysterious figure seen by Roy; notable for being shoeless and without a backpack, indicating he is not attending school.
Mother Paula's Pancake House: A construction project in Coconut Cove that is central to the conflict and vandalism incidents.
Vandalism at Construction Site: Ongoing issue where someone repeatedly damages the construction site; Officer Delinko suspects a grudge against the pancake house.

Events and Reactions

Roy's Family Moves Frequently: Due to his father's job in the Department of Justice, which involves frequent promotions.
Incident on the Bus: Roy punches Dana in retaliation for bullying, leading to consequences.
Punishment: Result of the bus incident leads to Roy being suspended and having to write an apology.

Themes and Techniques

Flashback Technique: Used when narrating Roy's encounter with grizzly bears, providing background context to his character.
Setting: Takes place in Florida, specifically in the town of Coconut Cove, which influences character dynamics and events.

Important Objects and Symbols

Travelin' Johnny: The portable toilet vandalized with alligators, a symbol of rebellious actions occurring in the story.
Campsite Discovery: Roy finds a campsite belonging to the running boy, indicating his struggles and independence.

Conflicts

Roy's Internal Conflict: Struggles with feelings of blame regarding the nickname "cowgirl," which is rooted in his own admissions about his background.
Officer Delinko’s Struggles: Fails to address the vandalism effectively, leading to personal embarrassment when his car is vandalized while he sleeps.

Author and Genre

Carl Hiaasen: The author of "Hoot," known for his focus on environmental themes and quirky characters.
Literary Genre: Classified as realistic fiction, reflecting real-world issues through the lens of its characters and plot.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the key characters and plot points of the book 'Flush'. This quiz focuses on the dynamics at Trace Middle School, the mysterious running boy, and the conflicts surrounding Mother Paula's Pancake House. Test your understanding of the characters like Roy Eberhardt and Dana Matherson.