Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Fish in a Tree, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Dyslexia, Intelligence, and Learning
Teaching, Mentoring, and Trust
Identity and Self-Esteem
Bullying, Friendship, and Social Status
Summary
Analysis
A few days later, Ally shows up to school with her writing arm in a sling. Mr. Daniels is going to ask them to write stories and with a sling, she can't write. She tells a suspicious Mr. Daniels that she tripped over her cat on the stairs and the cat's name is Pork Chop. As awkward as the conversation is, Ally does get out of writing—but Mr. Daniels asks her to read a book instead. Ally's eyes hurt immediately. She turns the page every now and then and watches mind movies of flying. She watches others write and wonders why Mr. Daniels keeps looking at her.
Remember that Ally already shared with her class that her family has no pets because Mom is allergic, which suggests that Mr. Daniels allows this to go on because he sees it for what it is: a desperate attempt to get out of something that seems impossible and causes Ally a great deal of pain.
Themes
