The Next Great Paulie Fink

Ali BenjaminFiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2019

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Summary

Background

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Prologue-Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Tools

Beta

Discussion Questions

Symbols & Motifs

Goats

In The Next Great Paulie Fink, goats emerge as a powerful symbol of disruption, challenging norms and expectations within the narrative. Disruption can be a positive force, leading to katharsis, or the cleansing of bad luck. The ritualistic act of touching the goat during the competition’s closing ceremony symbolizes the characters’ collective effort to dispel their fears, embracing the disruptive element as a means of personal and communal renewal.

The goats also serve as a motif to explore key themes, such as Discovering Legacy Through Unconventional Paths and The Odyssey of Self-Discovery and Personal Excellence. For example, the escape of the goats during the soccer game serves as a metaphorical disruption of the established order, paralleling the characters’ personal journeys of challenging societal expectations and discovering their unique paths to excellence. Glebus’s instruction that the Originals prove themselves by catching the goats underscores the disruptive nature of the task. The unconventional challenge requires the characters to step outside their comfort zones.

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The mean old goat’s victory as the next Paulie Fink further solidifies goats’ symbolism within the narrative. By choosing the goat over traditional candidates, Caitlyn challenges the notion of what constitutes greatness. The goat’s belch during the ceremony adds irreverence, reinforcing the idea that disruption is not only about challenging expectations but also about utilizing humor and surprise.

Megastar

The Megastar TV show is a prominent motif in The Next Great Paulie Fink. Gabby’s obsession with Megastar provides a lens through which to understand the characters’ perceptions of success, identity, and other thematic concerns. For example, Gabby’s realization that Jadelicious “faked it” to become a recognizable brand resonates with the overarching theme of Discovering Legacy Through Unconventional Paths. In addition, the novel uses Megastar to explore the dynamic interplay between reality and constructed narratives, aligning with the novel’s exploration of The Power and Limitations of Storytelling.

Paulie Statue

The Paulie statue serves as a symbol connecting the Originals with their former classmate who mysteriously disappeared at the start of seventh grade. The statue initially represents the students’ larger-than-life perception of Paulie Fink. However, the Paulie statue undergoes changes throughout the narrative, mirroring the evolution of characters and their perspectives. When the statue falls and breaks after Paulie’s surprise reappearance, it symbolizes the shattering of preconceived notions and illusions. The broken, damaged statue becomes a symbol of resilience and a metaphor for the complexity of individual identity and the discrepancies between external perceptions and internal realities. The statue’s transformation reflects the characters’ own journeys of self-discovery, emphasizing that true greatness is often found in embracing flaws and complexities.

Rules

Throughout the novel, Caitlyn uses a creative and evolving set of guidelines for finding success at the Mitchell School and for the competitions she organizes. Initially, the rules offer structure and comfort to Caitlyn as she navigates the varied personalities and unique interests of the Originals. Rules also provide structure and direction to the unconventional challenges during the competition, reflecting Caitlyn’s attempt to impose order on the process of finding the next Paulie.

As the narrative progresses, these rules become a dynamic force, both empowering and limiting the characters. Caitlyn’s rules serve as instruments for self-discovery and disruption. However, they also highlight the tension between conformity and individuality, showcasing how rules can be a double-edged sword in shaping the characters’ paths toward personal excellence.