Opposite of Always

The author never confirms the real reason time keeps resetting for Jack. Analyze what potential reasons the text suggests, using evidence to support these theories. How does the ultimate ambiguity influence the book’s themes, particularly Loving Someone with a Chronic Illness? What is the narrative effect of Justin A. Reynolds leaving this detail unresolved at the novel’s end?

What events in the narrative led Jack to change his future career plans as a writer, and why? How does this change contribute to the lessons Jack learns about time and love?

What is the connection between time travel and conflict in the novel? Consider both interpersonal conflicts between characters and the internal and external conflicts that drive the plot. Use specific examples and textual evidence to support your answer.

Identify each main character’s goal or motivation within the context of the narrative arc, and describe what the stakes for their success or failure are. How do these stakes affect the reading experience, considering factors such as narrative pacing and mood?

Franny’s relationship with his father receives significant attention in Opposite of Always. How does the author use this relationship to provide commentary on complicated family dynamics and broader societal factors, including racial profiling, bias, and mass incarceration?

Analyze Jack’s character arc. What is his initial state, turning points in his transformation, and final state?

Jack says he was named for Jackie Robinson and Ralph Ellison, icons in Black American history. How does culture contribute to Jack’s sense of identity and expectations of himself? How does Opposite of Always incorporate cultural context to add further depth to its narrative?

What is the role of communication and miscommunication in Opposite of Always? Describe how Jack communicates with his friends, family members, and Kate, identifying moments of strong and weak communication. How does it contribute to Accountability in Interpersonal Conflict?