Here's the situation: Art is cool, but it's also lots of work. And in The Year of Billy Miller, we have multiple characters realizing just how tough making art can be. Let's take a look at Papa: He's a seriously creative guy, but he still has to put in a ton of work to find inspiration for creating new funky pieces of art. Sure, he ends up being pretty successful, but that doesn't mean it's an easy task. And if you ask us, Billy isn't finding art inspiration any easier to come by. Whether it's his diorama project or his poem for Mama, making art can be a real uphill climb.
Questions About Art and Culture
- What counts as art in this book? Are there certain things that don't count? Are there strict rules for art, or is it a free-for-all? How so?
- What motivates Billy to be good at art? Is there anything holding him back?
- How is art an individual task in this book? Or is it a communal activity? How so?
- Are certain characters more artistic than others? Do any characters completely lack creativity?
Chew on This
In this book, art is all about self-expression and that means it should be a solo activity whenever possible.
In this book, art requires other people. It's impossible to be super creative alone, so it's all about coming together.