Picture Us in the Light

How does Danny’s experience with Mr. X provide a formative moment in his life? How does the image of Mr. X develop over time? What is Kelly Loy Gilbert’s message about racism and belonging?

Explain the importance of art in Danny’s life. How does his identity as an artist help propel and sometimes regress his character development?

Danny struggles with his sexuality throughout the novel. How does Gilbert imply that Danny is struggling with his sexuality, and how does this influence his characterization—specifically, his relationship with best friend Harry?

In many ways, Danny’s parents are not a typical immigrant family. Analyze Danny through his identity as a first-generation American with immigrant parents. How does this dynamic propel character development?

Why does Danny feel guilty about former friend Sandra’s death? Why do his friends Regina and Harry also share this guilt? What is Gilbert’s overall message about death by suicide, depression, and hope?

What structural function does Gilbert’s flashbacks to Joy’s life in China do for the overall narrative arc of the novel?

In what ways does Gilbert use setting as indicative of community character?

Characters in the novel struggle to keep their secrets hidden from others. Identify at least three characters and their secrets and analyze how these secrets help or hurt these characters’ development.