Like Sae Young, Curtis realizes that the garden on Gibb Street might help him solve a problem that he’s had for a while. It’s a very different problem, though, and Curtis’s plan is much more elaborate than Sae Young’s, who stumbled on the garden accidentally and then realized that it made her life better.
Use the questions below to analyze how Curtis’s chapter develops both him as a character and the plot and theme of the entire novel.
1. What problem does Curtis hope the Gibb Street garden will help him solve?
- He wants to go to college, but he doesn’t have the money for tuition.
- He wants to become a farmer, but he has never tried to grow anything.
- He wants to win back his ex-girlfriend, but she won’t even speak to him.
Curtis hopes that if he grows some beautiful, tasty tomatoes for Lateesha, she will forgive him for acting like an immature jerk, and she’ll consider going out with him again.
Curtis hopes that if he grows some beautiful, tasty tomatoes for Lateesha, she will forgive him for acting like an immature jerk, and she’ll consider going out with him again.
Curtis hopes that if he grows some beautiful, tasty tomatoes for Lateesha, she will forgive him for acting like an immature jerk, and she’ll consider going out with him again.
2. What’s the backstory? Why did Lateesha break up with Curtis?
- Curtis wasn’t serious enough about their relationship.
- Lateesha felt that Curtis wasn’t rich or smart enough for her.
- They had really different interests and disagreed about everything.
Lateesha was ready to settle down and talk about getting married and starting a family. Curtis was not―he was distracted by other girls who were impressed with his muscles.
Lateesha was ready to settle down and talk about getting married and starting a family. Curtis was not―he was distracted by other girls who were impressed with his muscles.
Lateesha was ready to settle down and talk about getting married and starting a family. Curtis was not―he was distracted by other girls who were impressed with his muscles.
3. Why does Curtis think the Gibb Street garden will help him solve his problem?
- It will cause his muscles to get even bigger and stronger.
- It will lure Lateesha down from her apartment to talk.
- It will help him show Lateesha that he has changed.
Curtis uses his plot of land in the garden, which is within sight of Lateesha’s apartment window, to prove that he is serious about his feelings for her and that he can be trusted.
Curtis uses his plot of land in the garden, which is within sight of Lateesha’s apartment window, to prove that he is serious about his feelings for her and that he can be trusted.
Curtis uses his plot of land in the garden, which is within sight of Lateesha’s apartment window, to prove that he is serious about his feelings for her and that he can be trusted.
4. What do Curtis’s interactions with Royce reveal?
- He’s is a good person who cares about others.
- He seeks revenge when people do him wrong.
- He prefers to have others do his work for him.
Even though Curtis expects Royce to guard his tomatoes in return for protection, he also seems to want to help Royce.
Even though Curtis expects Royce to guard his tomatoes in return for protection, he also seems to want to help Royce.
Even though Curtis expects Royce to guard his tomatoes in return for protection, he also seems to want to help Royce.
5. What theme is suggested by the end of Curtis’s chapter?
- Working outside is good for the body and soul.
- Only fools try to change someone else’s mind.
- Hard work and patience pay off in the end.
After Curtis shows how devoted and patient he can be with tomato plants, he finally gets a positive reaction from Lateesha. It also helps that he remembers her favorite food.
After Curtis shows how devoted and patient he can be with tomato plants, he finally gets a positive reaction from Lateesha. It also helps that he remembers her favorite food.
After Curtis shows how devoted and patient he can be with tomato plants, he finally gets a positive reaction from Lateesha. It also helps that he remembers her favorite food.
6. What does the garden represent for everyone who gets involved in it?
- hope
- greed
- comfort
Some characters consider the garden a source of comfort or safety, and others try to use it to get rich. However, all the narrators so far have seen the garden as a source of hope―a possible solution to their problems.
Some characters consider the garden a source of comfort or safety, and others try to use it to get rich. However, all the narrators so far have seen the garden as a source of hope―a possible solution to their problems.
Some characters consider the garden a source of comfort or safety, and others try to use it to get rich. However, all the narrators so far have seen the garden as a source of hope―a possible solution to their problems.
Summary
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