56 pages • 1 hour read
Bethany HamiltonA modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
The sea is a powerful symbol throughout Soul Surfer. Considering Hamilton’s story as a whole, analyze and discuss the various metaphorical meanings of the ocean by reflecting on the following questions:
Teaching Suggestion: In Soul Surfer, the sea comes to represent life as a whole, both its ups and downs. It is a place where anything can happen, from tragic accidents to chance meetings. To Hamilton, the sea also represents the glory and mystery of God. Encourage students to draw upon what they’ve learned about Hamilton’s faith, drawing their attention back to the book’s central question of why bad things happen to good people. Students might reflect on these questions through independent journaling, and then meet in small groups to discuss the sea’s multiple symbolic meanings.