Tar Beach Theme of Dissatisfaction

Cassie's world is warm and happy, but it's not exactly perfect. Cassie's old enough to know that something's not quite right between Mommy and Daddy. And the fact that she knows so much about her dad's problems at work suggests that he's been talking about them at home. A lot.

Cassie can't ignore that stuff; in fact, it seeps into her imaginative play, as we'll see show you in Theme 5 (Dreams, Hopes, and Plans). For now, let's focus on her family's problems.

Questions About Dissatisfaction

  1. Why is Daddy so frustrated at work?
  2. What makes Mommy so sad?
  3. What advice would you have for Cassie if she were your friend?

Chew on This

Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.

The story is better because the dark details are beneath the surface.

The story would have been better if the dark details had been on the surface.