When we think of foreignness and the other, we think of foreign countries, different cultures, and monsters like Grendel. We don't think of Minnesota. Then we remember that Prince came from Minneapolis, so it's gotta be a weird place.
Next to a guy that briefly referred to himself as a symbol (that we don't know the alt-code for), shapeshifting man-wolves seem downright quaint. But just like people freaked out over Prince's unpronounceable symbol, they freak out over wolves. Because they're different and people don't like different. Shiver is about how people react to different. Sometimes they lash out against it, and sometimes they accept it.
Questions About Foreignness and 'The Other'
- The wolves are totally foreign to the humans (and vice versa) but what do these two groups have in common?
- What are some things that you thought you knew about werewolves that turn out to not be true in Shiver?
- Why is Grace fascinated with the world of the wolves even before she meets Sam?