Concetti Chiave
- The novel "Whistling in the Dark" is set in 1959, featuring sisters Sally and Troo O'Malley dealing with family and neighborhood challenges.
- After their father's death and their mother's illness, the sisters are left in the care of an alcoholic stepfather and a detached older sister.
- A serial killer targeting young girls roams their neighborhood, prompting fear and heightened security among the community.
- Sally, the narrator, embarks on a personal investigation to uncover the killer, driven by her protective instincts for her sister.
- The novel explores the theme of secrets, illustrating how they can grow dangerously inside and the relief that can come from sharing them.
"Whistling in the Dark" is a novel written by the American author Lesley Kagen. The novel was published in 2007.
Setting and Main Plot
The novel is set in 1959 and the protagonists are the two sisters Sally and Troo O'Mallley. Their father died and their mother remarried hastily and moved from the countryside to the city. Soon, however, the mother gets sick and is forced to spend the whole summer in the hospital and leave the two little sisters O'Mallley alone with a stepfather dedicated to alcohol and an older sister who has other things on her mind.
Sally and Troo also find themselves a serial killer of little girls hanging out in their neighborhood. The death of the second child in a year, with similar methods to that of the previous one, open the eyes of parents and block doors and windows. Not so for the O'Malley sisters who, abandoned to themselves and armed only by the strong sense of protection they have for each other and their innocence wander among the houses of the neighbors, challenging dangers that are not made always account. Sally, who tells us this strange summer in first person leaves the imagination free and sews the monster's dress on one of its neighbors. He follows him, observes him, investigates on his own and plans the way to frame him
Sally's Point of View
The point of view with which this novel is narrated is that of Sally.
Sally is a strong character, responsible for her sister, because she promised him to her dad at the end of life.
Troo is completely different from Sally: she sings in the dark, she learned it from her mom. Singing in the dark means being distracted with nonsense, not to think about the terrible secrets that make us suffer and that we would not be able to bear.
The Meaning of Secrets
Little girls will learn that the secrets are dangerous, the unspoken things tend to grow inside until they are suffocated. Telling them sometimes is not the solution, but it helps.
Domande da interrogazione
- What is the setting and main plot of "Whistling in the Dark"?
- What role do secrets play in the novel "Whistling in the Dark"?
The novel is set in 1959 and follows two sisters, Sally and Troo O'Malley, who are left to fend for themselves after their mother falls ill and their stepfather is inattentive. They face the threat of a serial killer targeting young girls in their neighborhood, and Sally takes it upon herself to investigate and protect her sister.
Secrets are a central theme in the novel, illustrating how unspoken truths can grow and become suffocating. The story suggests that while revealing secrets may not always solve problems, it can provide relief and understanding.
Accedi a tutti gli appunti
Tutor AI: studia meglio e in meno tempo
