Supergifted

Chapter 5 continues to use Donovan’s bond with Kandy and Beatrice to explore Friendship and Loyalty. When Donovan compares Kandy unfavorably to his littermate, he immediately feels guilty: Kandy may not be the best-behaved or cutest dog, but Donovan feels an obligation toward him. Shortly afterward, Donovan fiercely defends Beatrice from Hashtag and his family, insisting that the attack was provoked. This is of course true, and it speaks to the other dynamics at play in the scene. Donovan’s “desperate dive” to tackle Hashtag and shield Noah reflects his unwavering loyalty and willingness to take action in the face of danger. Beatrice in turn springs into action to protect Donovan when Hashtag attacks him—something Korman highlights via personification, describing Beatrice’s bark as one of “outrage” (37). Donovan’s astonishment at Beatrice’s protective behavior reflects a moment of realization and gratitude, as he recognizes the depth of their bond. The episode also reveals a softer side to Brad, who does care about his dog, to the extent that “the thought of anything happening to Beatrice turn[s] [Brad] to jelly” (37).

Donovan’s character arc takes shape as he exhibits bravery and selflessness to protect his friend. Though his actions are heroic, they are not without negative consequences; as Donovan realizes, his impulsive behavior has inadvertently jeopardized Beatrice’s life. That he recognizes this demonstrates self-awareness, but he still needs to mature, and his development across the novel reflects Dynamics of Identity, Growth, and Self-Acceptance.

Almost immediately after Donovan’s rescue of Noah, he finds himself engaging in another courageous, impulsive act with the potential to backfire. In this case, however, the “blame” lies with Noah’s foolish decision to defend Donovan from Hashtag. Once again, the underlying intentions are good: Noah wants to be a good friend to Donovan, just as Donovan is to him. However, he lacks awareness of his own limitations and even disregards his friend’s express wishes when he comes up with his plan to fight Hashtag. The consequences—Donovan saving the Mercurys’ house from the runaway truck—serve as the inciting incident that propels the rest of the narrative, setting up the confusion surrounding the identity of the “superkid.”

When Noah becomes this figure in the eyes of the public, the fame negatively impacts his personality and relationship with his friends. Chapter 8 begins laying the groundwork for this transformation, as the public response to the superkid illustrates the dangers of relying on other people’s perceptions for one’s self-image. Megan is utterly confident that she understands the superkid’s motivations, explaining his reluctance to come forward as “modesty.” This bears little resemblance to Donovan’s actual reasons for keeping quiet and establishes the gap that can exist between public and private image.

These chapters continue to use literary devices as tools of characterization. Donovan, for example, frequently uses figurative language, as when he describes Brad “support[ing] his daughter as if she was a rifle” (33). Later, he says that Noah in his wrestling gear “look[s] like a candy apple with an extra stick in it” (49). Both these similes highlight Donovan’s creativity; though he is not as “intelligent” as Noah according to standard measurements, Donovan is nevertheless skillful and quick-witted in his own area of expertise. By contrast, dramatic irony frequently characterizes Noah’s narrative voice, highlighting his lack of self-awareness. He remarks, for instance, that “Hashtag like[s] [him]. Everybody [does]” (43), revealing his complete obliviousness to his unpopularity.