Rumble Fish

Discuss the symbolism of the rumble fish. What do they add to the brothers’ narrative, and why do you think that Hinton named her book after them?

What role do parental figures play in Hinton’s narrative? How do their actions inform Rusty-James and the Motorcycle Boy’s attitudes to life?

Discuss the relationship between Rusty-James and Steve. Why is Steve an important character for Rusty-James’s growth, both in the main narrative and in the chapters set five years into the future?

What role does fate play in the narrative? To what extent is Rusty-James’s downfall a matter of fate rather than one of free will?

Do a close reading of the Motorcycle Boy’s character. In your opinion and with close reference to the text, to what extent does Hinton encourage the reader to empathize with the Motorcycle Boy?

To what extent do you think that Hinton’s novel, which was published in the mid-1970s, is relevant to young adult readers today? With close reference to the text, discuss which aspects are evergreen and which have dated.

Explore the novel’s portrayal of female characters. In your opinion and with close reference to the text, do women participate in the novel’s action on their own terms, or are they objectified as a form of currency between men?

How does Hinton’s style complement her subject matter? Provide a close reading of at least three passages in your answer.