52 pages • 1 hour read
Asha LemmieFifty Words for Rain
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2020A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Essay Topics
Discuss the role of nature in the novel. You could consider the title of the novel, the symbolism that associates Akira with the sun and Nori with the rain, the role of gardens and trees, and the chapter titles that reference nature.
Nori loves Akira and idolizes him. However, she often worries that the fervor of her devotion to him is one-sided. Do you think this is true? Discuss.
Nori, Seiko, and Yuko—the three generations of Kamiza women—defy patriarchal standards in their own individual ways. In what ways are they similar and different from one another?
Why does Nori choose the path she does at the end of the novel? Do you agree with her choices? Discuss.
What role does the historical period play in the story?
How does Nori’s race affect her character? How does her self-perception change through the novel?
Compare and contrast Nori’s relationships with Will and Noah. She interacts with both men very differently. What does this reveal about how she grows as a character?
How is the idea of Duty Versus Desire portrayed in the novel? Pick two characters who illustrate this struggle and analyze their character arcs.
What is the significance of music in the novel? Discuss.
Why does Lemmie choose to include multiple perspectives in the narration? Do you think these augment or detract from the story? Explain, with examples.
