Significance of Rides and Symbolism

Full Tilt

Chapter 5 - Carousel •Animals were all college mascots •Blake was applying to colleges •B jumps on to the Blue Lion (mascot for Columbia Univ. which he chooses to attend) •Fear of Attending college

Chapter 6 Bumper Cars • Related to School Bus Incident • Car is a Volvo, what he drives • Car is conservative & safe – similar to his personality • Fear of Driving

Chapter 7 - Swinging Boat • Captain = Carl (mom’s fiancé) ; Mom= is hunted whale • Whale has no teeth - defenseless like Mom • Capt. = mom’s usual boyfriends aggressive and trying to take charge • Fear of Mom’s Relationship w/man

Chapter 8 Mirror Maze • Mirrors reflect the way you see yourself –fears & insecurities • Buildings in maze from posters in his room • Command clowns from his recurring nightmares • Blake fears he is weak, cowardly, inadequate, stupid, and scared

Chapter 9 Kamikaze • His Plane= the Japanese Zero • Cassandra’s Plane= American P-40 • He has models of these planes in his room in battle • Blake’s fears rolled into one ride – roller coasters, planes, falling, failing, and taking others down

Chapter 11 Wheel of Ra • Ride meant for Quinn: addresses his constant need for attention, and how he is blinded by it • Blake is forced to confront his father & “set him free” or forgive him

Chapter 14 Brain Jam • Debris= buildings from Blake’s posters as well as Quinn’s • Relates to Quinn= images from his CD’s, comics, books, and posters • Relates to Blake= images from his head • Fear of trusting each other & working together to survive

Chapter 15 Tea Cup / School Bus

• School Bus • Blake rides an 8th ride to save Quinn, Russ, & Maggie • Tea Cup is the School Bus Yellow School Bus incident • Repeats until he remembers how he survived and he forgives himself • Fear of memory of accident