49 pages • 1 hour read
Judy BlumeAre You There God? It's Me, Margaret
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1970A 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
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret begins with Margaret Ann Simon’s parents deciding to move out of Manhattan and into New Jersey. What are the reasons given for this move? What does Margaret suspect is the real reason?
The two most important women in Margaret’s life are her grandmother and her mother. How are Sylvia Simon (“Grandma”) and Mrs. Simon different? How do they each play a unique role in Margaret’s life?
Why does Margaret fall in line so quickly with Nancy Wheeler’s commands? What does Margaret hope to gain from her friendship with Nancy? How does their friendship prove to be challenging?
Consider Margaret’s family background. Why are Margaret’s parents so determined to keep their daughter away from religion until she is older? Do you agree with their decision? Why or why not?
Although Laura Danker is tall and beautiful, none of the boys in her class want to dance with her, and most of her classmates appear to keep her at arm’s length. How does Laura’s experience demonstrate the downsides of growing up and “becoming a woman”?
What is the overarching tone of the Hutchins’ visit to Farbrook? How does Blume communicate this?
Why does Margaret fixate on things like growing breasts and getting her period? How does Blume use Margaret’s story to explore the pre-teen experience?
When Margaret asks to go to temple, Grandma is ecstatic. Why?
Margaret develops a crush on Moose but is afraid to tell Nancy. Why?
Margaret writes that if she has children, she will “tell them what religion they are so they can start learning about it at an early age,” because “twelve is very late to learn” (164). Why does Margaret adopt such a different stance on religion than her parents?
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By Judy Blume
