Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

Tristan receives many messages about what it means to be a hero. What are the different perspectives on heroism that he encounters, and how do these perspectives on heroism help or hinder him in ordinary life and in Alke?

Tristan struggles to manage his thoughts and feelings throughout the novel, especially in the early chapters. What impact does this struggle have on his life at home and in Alke? What lessons does he learn about thoughts and feelings, and how do these lessons shape his actions and his ability to meets goals once he does learn them?

Tristan has several family, friend, and mentor relationships throughout the novel. Identify these relationships and discuss how these relationships shape his experiences at home and in Alke.

Discuss how Mbalia uses boxing to enhance one or more themes, such as The Black Hero’s Journey or The Power of Storytelling, in the novel.

Mbalia reveals Uncle Cotton as the actual antagonist in the novel, not the Maafa. Offer a discussion of why he might have chosen Uncle Cotton over the Maafa as the antagonist. Do you think this twist enhances the novel or not?

Describe the evolution of Tristan’s understanding of the power of storytelling. How does Tristan’s understanding of the uses to which storytelling can be put help him individually and help those who depend upon him?

Tristan convinces the Maafa to abandon its destruction of Alke by agreeing to tell its story so that it will not be forgotten. Given that the Maafa is an important symbol of the Middle Passage and the painful parts of Black history, what point is Mbalia making about how we can best approach dealing with these difficult parts of history?

Research Joseph’s Campbell’s steps of the hero’s journey, sometimes called “the monomyth”. Where does Tristan’s character development align with the steps, and where does it diverge? How do Mbalia’s departures from the traditional hero’s journey help him to appeal to his audience?