There are certain parts of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks where you have to bite your nails and hold your breath, because Frankie is doing some pretty crazy and subversive stuff. Stealing keys, sneaking into the hidden tunnels at school, putting bras on school statues, following her boyfriend in stealth mode… these are not shenanigans for the faint of heart. And even when Frankie gets caught and her very own boyfriend furiously turns her in to the authorities, she acts with grace and courage. She admits readily to all the things that she did and faces the consequences. 'Atta girl.
Questions About Courage
- How does Frankie get over her initial reservations about sneaking all around the school and pulling off these crazy pranks?
- Is Frankie ever afraid that Matthew's going to find out what she's doing? Why or why not?
- How do you view Matthew's act of telling on Frankie at the end? Was it an act of courage or vengeance?
- Why does Alpha admit that he admires Frankie? What is it, specifically, that he admires? Do you think Frankie returns the sentiment, in any way?
Chew on This
Frankie's pranks are not a result of her courage, but a result of her stubbornness. Real courage would mean that she demand that Matthew include her in stuff—to his face, from the beginning.
It takes Frankie a lot of guts to tell Matthew what she's been up to, and she does so because she wants him to finally know whom he's dating.