Eleanor and Park

Use these questions or activities to help gauge students’ familiarity with and spark their interest in the context of the work, giving them an entry point into the text itself.

Short Answer

What is an allusion? How do authors use allusions to help readers learn more about the characters and settings in their novels?

Teaching Suggestion: Eleanor & Park includes dozens of references to titles of books, poems, songs, films, and other works, along with the names of performers, actors, and a few briefly mentioned historical figures. After reviewing the definition for allusion, readers might work in pairs to list 2-3 allusions they have recently encountered in literature or TV. They might, for example, consider film or novel characters named for historical or mythological figures. In sharing their examples, students should explain the deeper meaning of the reference with regard to the plot or characterization. Once students begin Eleanor & Park, they might compile a class list of allusions as they read and discuss the significance of select allusions to the story.

• This 1-minute video, “What Is Allusion?,” briefly reviews the definition of this literary device.
• This resource page on allusion covers this device’s potential types and functions in literature and offers a variety of examples from fiction and poetry.

Short Activity

Music (as an art form, as an industry, and as a reflection of society) has changed decade by decade throughout history. The music of the 1980s, for example, often showcased synthesized instrumentation, energetic beats, and other innovative production techniques that contributed to its recognizable sound. Set in 1986, Eleanor & Park includes the names of many songs, groups, and solo artists throughout the story, often with the purpose of symbolism and indirect characterization.

Briefly research the genres and subgenres of music popular in the 1980s and explain in your own words the sound and style of each. Associate at least 2-3 groups or artists within each genre or subgenre. After your exploration, summarize in 2-3 bulleted points how 1980s music compared to the decades before and after.

Teaching Suggestion: A variety of music groups and artists are mentioned in the novel, including the Smiths, U2, Peter Gabriel, and Echo & the Bunnymen. Students should be sure to cover the subgenres of new wave, indie rock, and punk, as they are represented in the story. It might be helpful to clarify that readers should investigate not only genres and subgenres just coming onto the scene during the decade but also those that had already gained popularity (punk, for example, became established in the mid-1970s). After students share their explanations, it might be beneficial to guide a group discussion on the ways in which authors can use specific allusions to music (songs, groups, albums) to help in characterization and for added symbolic meaning in fiction. Additionally, it might be helpful in piquing interest in the novel to preview some of the bands (such as the Smiths) Eleanor and Park listen to and discuss.

• This “Rock Music Timeline” offers a historical overview of the decade, lists of top-selling music artists, group and solo artists by genre and subgenre, and year-by-year breakdowns of notable albums and singles. Hover over each year’s “News and Lifestyle” images for more information on key events and figures in pop culture. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing without teacher guidance)
• This 16-minute video includes snippets of 150 hit songs from 1986, alphabetized by song title. (Teacher-appropriate; not student-facing without teacher guidance due to occasional mature content and length)

Personal Connection Prompt

This prompt can be used for in-class discussion, exploratory free-writing, or reflection homework before reading the text.

What are first impressions? In what ways might they be helpful? How might they be harmful? You may consider your personal experiences with first impressions in your response; or, if you prefer, you may reference examples from literature, science, or history.

Teaching Suggestion: Eleanor and Park make many early assumptions about each other, most of which are not true. Students might briefly contribute situations in which “making a good first impression” is typically considered important (e.g., a job interview, the first day of a new class, a date) before responding to the prompt in a journal entry. Information from these or similar resources can help students develop additional context on the topic.

• This article discusses the psychology behind first impressions.
• This brief post from UNICEF explains why first impressions may not always be correct.