52 pages • 1 hour read
Katherine PatersonJacob Have I Loved
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1980A 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
What does the first-person narration bring to the story? How does the perspective of the older Louise comment upon and even contradict the perceptions held by her younger self?
In what ways does the novel suggest potential commonalities between Louise and Caroline, even when Louise is not entirely aware of them?
How does Louise’s identification with the biblical figure of Esau determine how she sees herself as a teenager? What elements of the Bible’s story are repeated in her life? In what ways does that identification limit her ability to grow?
What does the Captain mean when he says Louise was never meant to be a woman on Rass Island? Why is this an important quote for both the characters and the meaning of the novel?
The novel depicts two marriages—Truitt and Susan Bradshaw, the Captain and Trudy Braxton—that are not entirely conventional by the standards of Rass Island. How do these marriages reinforce or comment upon the other themes in the novel?
What does the fight over the hand lotion at the end of Chapter 12 reveal about the sisters’ perception of their relationship?
Analyze the character of Grandma Bradshaw, particularly regarding her relationships with Louise and Susan. What is the significance of Louise being named after her grandmother? How does the grandmother contribute to the themes of the novel?
What is the significance of Louise’s romantic feelings for the Captain? How do you respond to the inappropriateness of these feelings and the impact it has on the overall narrative?
To what extent is Louise ultimately able to resolve her religious conflicts at the end of the novel?
Some critics argue the ending wraps up Louise’s conflicts too quickly and neatly. Would you agree with this criticism? Support your answer with examples from the text.
Related Titles
By Katherine Paterson
