We've all done it: You see a person looking at you as you walk by and immediately think they don't like you; you don't get a text back from a friend and assume he's mad about something; you imagine thoughts into someone else's head that just aren't real. As a novel with twelve different perspectives, One Whole and Perfect Day is all about what happens when versions of reality collide. A key part of this is Clarke's use of dramatic irony, which occurs when we as readers know something the characters don't. But let's check out a few examples of this in action.
Questions About Versions of Reality
- How do each of the Samson family members (and Clara) respond to Lonnie's feud with Pop? How do their perspectives differ?
- Describe Lily's version of her reality. How is it different from what actually exists?
- How does seeing the story from each character's point of view change your opinion about the events?
- Is there any single thing that all the characters involved understand the same way? How does that influence your reading of the book?
Chew on This
Try on an opinion or two, start a debate, or play the devil’s advocate.
While it's not perfect, Lily's life isn't nearly as bad as she thinks it is.
Stan needs Rose in order to realize—and set into motion—some of the major changes in his life.