Would time seem different if we had more of it? Would it pass more slowly? Would we get more out of it? In Tuck Everlasting, time lasts forever (literally!) for the Tucks. And it seems like Tuck is worse for the wear because of it—he's unable to treasure the smaller moments in life because he knows they are infinite. For Winnie, on the other hand, every second counts. The twenty-four-hour adventure she has will be one of the most important days of her life, that's for sure.
Questions About Time
- How do we know when Tuck Everlasting takes place? What clues are we given? And while we're at it, does it even matter?
- How does Tuck understand time? How does his understanding of time affect the way he lives his life?
- How can someone be both 104 and seventeen at the same time? Do you think Jesse is more like a seventeen-year-old or more like a 104-year-old?
- Why do you think the book takes place in August, instead of any other month?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
The moral of Tuck Everlasting is this: it's not about how long you live, it's about what you do with your life.
Winnie is immortal, too—we're still talking about her, aren't we?