The Shack
Introduction + Context
Plot Summary
Detailed Summary & Analysis
Foreword Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 After Words
Themes
All Themes Independence from God Love and Relationships Grief and Emotion The Nature of God
Quotes
Characters
All Characters Mackenzie Allen Phillips Papa/Elousia Sarayu Jesus Missy Nan Phillips Sophia Willie Mack’s Father
Symbols
All Symbols Waterfalls Gardens
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The Shack

by

William P. Young

Upgrade to A+
Introduction Intro
Plot Summary Plot
Summary & Analysis
  • Foreword
  • Chapter 1
  • Chapter 2
  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Chapter 5
  • Chapter 6
  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Chapter 9
  • Chapter 10
  • Chapter 11
  • Chapter 12
  • Chapter 13
  • Chapter 14
  • Chapter 15
  • Chapter 16
  • Chapter 17
  • Chapter 18
  • After Words
Themes
  • All Themes
  • Independence from God Theme Icon
    Independence from God
  • Love and Relationships Theme Icon
    Love and Relationships
  • Grief and Emotion Theme Icon
    Grief and Emotion
  • The Nature of God Theme Icon
    The Nature of God
Quotes
Characters
  • All Characters
  • Mackenzie Allen Phillips
  • Papa/Elousia
  • Sarayu
  • Jesus
  • Missy
  • Nan Phillips
  • Sophia
  • Willie
  • Mack’s Father
Symbols
  • All Symbols
  • Waterfalls Symbol Icon
    Waterfalls
  • Gardens Symbol Icon
    Gardens
Theme Wheel Theme Viz
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Download the Teacher Edition
Download this Chart (PDF)
Previous
Mack’s Father

The Shack Symbols

Next
Waterfalls

Waterfalls

Waterfalls appear at key moments in The Shack as symbols of sacrifice, but they are also used to show the ways in which stories of sacrifice can be overly-simplified and give an impression of God…

read analysis of Waterfalls

Waterfalls Symbol Icon

Gardens

Gardens are used in The Shack to demonstrate the complexity of human emotions, as well as the necessity of feeling both pain and happiness. At the opening of the story, Mack is overwhelmed by a…

read analysis of Gardens

Gardens Symbol Icon
Previous
Mack’s Father
Previous
Mack’s Father
Next
Waterfalls
Next
Waterfalls

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