Stella by Starlight

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2015

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Summary

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-6

Chapters 7-16

Chapters 17-25

Chapters 26-34

Chapters 35-41

Chapters 42-50

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Vocabulary

Essay Topics

Quiz

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Flying

References to flight occur throughout the book. Flying symbolizes freedom, especially the freedom to be oneself and to seek a future without limitations. When Tony Hawkins tells Stella about running on the track of the white school at night, he alludes to flying when he says he “feel[s] like an eagle or something” (13). Spoon Man later echoes the imagery of a bird in flight with his story about the eagle who knew he did not belong with the flightless chickens, which in turn inspires Stella to think and write about birds and planes.

In Mrs. Grayson’s story at school, the character Zalika’s solution for escaping the pain and abuse of slavery is to fly away, and she is such a strong inspiration to other slaves that they are able to fly away as well. Stella’s final SENTINEL article implies that she intends to “fly” someday unlike the roosters who “never look beyond the fence” (320). Symbolically, Stella wants the freedom to pursue her dreams without others’ prejudices dictating her choices or options.

Words

Words both symbolize Stella’s goal of deriving truth and serve as the literal and figurative tools that she must learn to wield to convey it. For example, Stella wants to use the library to read about topics that interest her, like flying. These words would offer truth if she could accept them. Stella uses words to improve her writing, and her search for the right words both frustrates and motivates her. After a discussion about the lives of trees with Papa, Stella enjoys thinking that though a tree may become sawdust at the mill, that dust forms paper for the printed word.

Safehouses

Several locations in Bumblebee act as safehouses for the characters. Riverside School is a place for the children to gather, learn, communicate, and grow; it represents safety as well. Mrs. Grayson tells the children they will be safe when she is with them; they can share their concerns and feelings under her direction; she safely distracts them with play practice after the cross-burning, and inspires them to learn from storytelling despite the terrible Spencer fire. As a place of education, the school symbolizes a well-lit path toward knowledge and the acceptance that goes with it.

Pastor Patton’s church offers a safehouse to the neighbors as well. Symbolically, the church promotes forgiveness of others and heeding the call to service, both needed to promote a kind, respectful, and civil society. Pastor Patton encourages his congregation to show courage and regard for others’ actions, even young folks’ like Stella.

Mrs. Cooper’s candy shop symbolizes a safehouse as well. Though both black and white schoolchildren gather in the space, and some of the white children make racist comments, the proprietor maintains a subtle equality by insisting that everyone get the same treat at the end of the visit. Later, it is Mrs. Cooper to whom Stella flees as Tony is being physically assaulted. Mrs. Cooper stops the violence, then accompanies Tony to Mr. O’Brian’s store.