Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Becky Albertalli)

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1. What is the genre?

Secondary—Worldview > Revelation

2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre?

Conventions

Triangle: When Martin finds Simon’s emails to “Blue,” mysterious guy, he blackmails him to get to Abby. Martin-Simon-Blue and Martin-Simon-Abby. Leah loves Nick but Nick loves Abby. Leah is jealous of Simon’s friendship with the rival, Abby. Simon has a crush on Cal, and Blue gets jealous and drops communication, convinced Simon couldn’t like him.

Rivals: Simon – Martin, Leah – Abby, Blue – Cal, Martin, college guy a the gay bar who buys Simon a drink

Secrets: Blue and Simon’s whole relationship is a secret. Simon is an Elliot Smith fan and Blue gets him and Elliot Smith shirt.

Social Conventions/obstacles: Coming out is a huge deal, requiring an announcement and the right timing and the threat of backlash and physical violence, while no one has to come out as straight. Can’t hold hands in Georgia.

Obligatory Scenes

First Kiss or Intimate Connection: email, first kiss when they skip school during lunch

Proof of Love: Simon emails Blue with a declaration of love—”I know you. I don’t know your name, but I know who you are. I’m glad we got to know each other from the inside out. Meet me at the carnival.” Blue’s proof of love—Blue left a love note with his number on it for Simon in the Elliot Smith shirt he left in his locker. Simon doesn’t find the note till 2 weeks later. Then he shows up at the carnival, revealing his identity and taking the ferris wheel ride, though it makes him sick.

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3. What is the point of view?

POV: 1st person POV. Simon is a gay high school sophomore who has not yet come out.

Narrative Device: Epistolary. Simon and Blue exchange emails as their love blossoms. Martin emails Simon to apologize for the blackmail and the hate message on the Tumblr.

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4. What are the objects of desire?

Simon wants love and belonging. A relationship with Blue; belonging in his family and society.

He needs to be honest about who he is.

He needs to acknowledge his own prejudice and default for love stories is hindering him from a fulfilling relationship. When he is trying to hide who he is, he doesn’t care to know his friends on more than a shallow level.

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5. What is the controlling idea / theme?

Love and friendship prevail when Simon acknowledges who his is, as well as his own prejudice to a “default” in a mate and his lack of depth in his friends’ lives.

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6. What is the beginning hook, middle build and ending payoff?

Beginning Hook: When Martin blackmails Simon with a screenshot of his secret emails with a boy, Simon must help him try to land Abby or Martin will out both him and the mysterious Blue.

Middle Build: When Abby rejects Martin, Martin outs Simon on the school-wide Tumblr page, forcing Simon to come out to his family and friends and leading to him being bullied at school.

Ending Payoff: Simon discovers Blue is “cute Bram” and acknowledges his own default—to another white guy—was keeping him from finding love right in front of him the whole time.

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