51 pages 1 hour read

Ben Philippe

Charming as a Verb

Fiction | Novel | Published in 2020

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Essay Topics

1.

What is the significance of the title of the novel?

2.

What is the symbolism of Henri’s “Smile”? What does it signify, and what are the ripple effects of this symbol?

3.

Paraphrase what Henri and his father mean by the Haltiwanger Hunger. What does it reveal about Henri’s family dynamics? What is the larger message Philippe is communicating about the immigrant mindset in America?