By Nicola Yoon
Introduction — Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon is a heartwarming young adult novel that explores the themes of love, illness, and self-discovery. Published in 2015, the story follows the life of Madeline Whittier, an 18-year-old girl who has severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), making her allergic to almost everything. Nicola Yoon, a Jamaican-American author, crafted this novel inspired by her own experiences and her love for young adult fiction. The book fits into the genres of contemporary romance and drama, and it has been widely praised for its emotional depth and unique storytelling style. 📚❤️
Plot Summary
Plot Summary — The novel begins with Madeline Whittier, who has been confined to her home for 17 years due to SCID, a rare disease that makes her allergic to the world. Her life is a routine of homeschooling, online activities, and spending time with her mother, who is also her doctor.
Exposition — Madeline’s monotonous life takes a turn when Olly, a new neighbor, moves in next door. They start communicating through their windows, instant messages, and eventually face-to-face meetings arranged secretly with the help of her nurse, Carla.
Rising Action — As Madeline and Olly’s friendship deepens into romance, Madeline becomes increasingly frustrated with her confinement. She decides to take a risk and leaves her home to experience life with Olly. They travel to Hawaii, where Madeline collapses and is hospitalized.
Climax — After returning home, Madeline discovers a shocking truth: she does not actually have SCID. Her mother, unable to cope with the loss of her husband and son in a car accident years ago, has fabricated the illness to keep Madeline safe and close.
Falling Action — Madeline struggles to reconcile with her mother and come to terms with the lies that have shaped her life. She decides to start living her life fully, free from the constraints of her supposed illness.
Resolution — In the end, Madeline travels to New York to reunite with Olly, ready to embrace a new life filled with uncertainties but also endless possibilities. 🌸🌎
Character Analysis
Character Analysis —
Madeline Whittier
Madeline, or “Maddy,” is the protagonist of the novel. She is intelligent, imaginative, and resilient. Despite her condition, she has a positive outlook on life and a deep curiosity about the world. Her character development revolves around her growing desire for freedom and real experiences, ultimately leading her to discover the truth about her condition and embrace life fully.
Olly Bright
Olly is Maddy’s neighbor and love interest. He is caring, protective, and adventurous, providing a stark contrast to Maddy’s sheltered existence. Olly’s own family struggles, particularly with his abusive father, add depth to his character. His relationship with Maddy helps him find hope and the strength to confront his family’s issues.
Dr. Pauline Whittier
Maddy’s mother, Dr. Pauline Whittier, is a complex character driven by her fear of losing Maddy. Her overprotectiveness and the fabrication of Maddy’s illness stem from her unresolved grief over the death of her husband and son. Her actions, while misguided, are rooted in a deep love and fear.
Carla
Carla is Maddy’s nurse and a maternal figure. She cares deeply for Maddy and ultimately helps her take steps towards independence. Carla’s actions show her belief in Maddy’s right to live a full life, despite the risks.
| Character | Personality Traits | Motivations | Development Throughout the Story |
|---|---|---|---|
| Madeline Whittier | Intelligent, imaginative, resilient | Desire for freedom and real experiences | Discovers the truth about her condition |
| Olly Bright | Caring, protective, adventurous | Hope for a better future | Confronts his family’s issues |
| Dr. Pauline Whittier | Overprotective, fearful, loving | Fear of losing Madeline | Faces the consequences of her actions |
| Carla | Caring, maternal, supportive | Belief in Madeline’s right to a full life | Helps Madeline towards independence |
Themes and Symbols
Themes and Symbols —
Themes
Love and Relationships — The novel explores various forms of love, including romantic love between Maddy and Olly, maternal love from Maddy’s mother, and the supportive love from Carla. These relationships drive the plot and character development.
Freedom and Confinement — Maddy’s physical confinement due to her supposed illness contrasts with her emotional and psychological yearning for freedom. The theme highlights the balance between safety and the desire to live fully.
Identity and Self-Discovery — Maddy’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns the truth about her condition and what it means to truly live. The novel emphasizes the importance of personal growth and finding one’s identity.
Symbols
The House — Maddy’s home symbolizes safety and confinement. It is a place where she is protected but also isolated from the world.
The Ocean — The ocean represents freedom and the unknown. Maddy’s trip to Hawaii and her experience with the ocean symbolize her breaking free from her confinement and embracing life’s uncertainties.
Books and Journals — Maddy’s love for reading and her own journaling represent her inner world and her desire for experiences beyond her home.
Style and Tone
- Narrative Style — The novel is written in first-person from Maddy’s perspective, allowing readers to intimately experience her thoughts and feelings.
- Visual Elements — The book includes illustrations, charts, and email exchanges, adding a unique visual dimension to the storytelling.
- Conversational Tone — Yoon uses a conversational and engaging tone, making the story accessible and relatable to young adults.
- Emotional Depth — The tone is often introspective and emotional, reflecting Maddy’s inner struggles and growth.
- Humor and Wit — Despite its serious themes, the novel incorporates humor and wit, particularly in Maddy and Olly’s interactions.
Literary Devices used in Everything, Everything
Literary Devices used in Everything, Everything —
1. Metaphor
Nicola Yoon frequently uses metaphors to deepen the emotional impact of the narrative.
2. Simile
Comparisons using “like” or “as” are used to create vivid imagery.
3. Symbolism
Objects, places, and actions in the novel carry deeper meanings.
4. Foreshadowing
Hints are given about future events, building suspense.
5. Irony
The novel employs situational and dramatic irony to highlight the discrepancies between appearance and reality.
6. Imagery
Descriptive language appeals to the senses and paints vivid pictures.
7. Allusion
References to other literary works enrich the narrative.
8. Personification
Inanimate objects are given human qualities to emphasize their significance.
9. Dialogue
Conversational exchanges reveal character traits and advance the plot.
10. Flashback
Past events are recounted to provide background and context.
Literary Device Examples
Literary Device Examples —
Metaphor
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “Love is a battlefield.” | Compares love to a battlefield, highlighting its challenges and struggles. |
| “Her smile is a sunrise.” | Compares her smile to a sunrise, emphasizing its warmth and beauty. |
| “Life is a book, and I am the protagonist.” | Compares life to a book, with the speaker viewing themselves as the main character. |
Simile
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “Her eyes sparkled like stars.” | Compares the brightness of her eyes to stars, creating a vivid image. |
| “He was as brave as a lion.” | Compares his bravery to that of a lion, emphasizing his courage. |
| “The room felt as cold as ice.” | Compares the temperature of the room to ice, highlighting its chilliness. |
Symbolism
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “The house symbolizes confinement.” | Represents Maddy’s physical and emotional confinement. |
| “The ocean symbolizes freedom.” | Represents the vast, unknown possibilities of life. |
| “Books symbolize knowledge and escape.” | Represents Maddy’s love for learning and her escape from reality. |
Foreshadowing
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “I have a feeling something bad is going to happen.” | Hints at future events that will negatively impact the characters. |
| “The doctor’s hesitation foreshadowed the revelation.” | Hints that the doctor is hiding something important. |
| “The weather changed suddenly, as if predicting turmoil.” | Hints at upcoming conflict or trouble. |
Irony
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “She stays inside to stay safe, but it’s harming her.” | Situational irony where the actions meant to protect Maddy cause her harm. |
| “Her mother’s love becomes her prison.” | Dramatic irony where the mother’s love, meant to protect, ends up confining Maddy. |
| “He wanted freedom but felt trapped by his own choices |
.”| Situational irony where the desire for freedom results in feeling trapped. |
Imagery
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “The sky was painted with hues of pink and orange.” | Descriptive language that creates a vivid picture of the sky. |
| “The scent of fresh coffee filled the air.” | Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of smell. |
| “The soft, velvety texture of the blanket was comforting.” | Descriptive language that appeals to the sense of touch. |
Allusion
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “She felt like Alice in Wonderland.” | Reference to Lewis Carroll’s book, highlighting her sense of wonder and discovery. |
| “He was a real Romeo.” | Reference to Shakespeare’s character, emphasizing his romantic nature. |
| “It was her Achilles’ heel.” | Reference to Greek mythology, indicating a critical vulnerability. |
Personification
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “The wind whispered secrets.” | Giving the wind human qualities of whispering. |
| “The house creaked in protest.” | Giving the house human qualities of creaking in protest. |
| “The sun smiled down on them.” | Giving the sun human qualities of smiling. |
Dialogue
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “Olly said, ‘I think you’re amazing.’” | Reveals Olly’s admiration for Maddy and advances their relationship. |
| “Maddy replied, ‘I want to see the world.’” | Reveals Maddy’s desires and motivations. |
| “Her mother insisted, ‘It’s for your own good.’” | Reveals her mother’s protective nature and justification for her actions. |
Flashback
| Example | Explanation |
|---|---|
| “She remembered her father’s laugh.” | Provides background on Maddy’s family and her past. |
| “The memory of her brother brought tears to her eyes.” | Offers context for her mother’s protective behavior. |
| “Recalling the accident, she felt a pang of loss.” | Provides insight into the characters’ motivations and emotional states. |
Everything, Everything – FAQs
Everything, Everything – FAQs
Q: What is Everything, Everything about?
A: Everything, Everything is about a girl named Madeline Whittier who has SCID, making her allergic to everything, and her journey of discovering love and the truth about her condition.
Q: Who is the author of Everything, Everything?
A: Nicola Yoon is the author of Everything, Everything.
Q: What is SCID in Everything, Everything?
A: SCID stands for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, a rare disease that makes individuals highly susceptible to infections.
Q: How does Madeline communicate with Olly?
A: Madeline communicates with Olly through their windows, instant messages, and eventually secret face-to-face meetings.
Q: What is the climax of the story?
A: The climax occurs when Madeline collapses in Hawaii and subsequently discovers that she does not actually have SCID.
Q: What themes are explored in Everything, Everything?
A: Major themes include love and relationships, freedom and confinement, and identity and self-discovery.
Q: How does the book end?
A: The book ends with Madeline traveling to New York to reunite with Olly, ready to embrace a new life.
Quiz
Quiz
| Question | Option A | Option B | Option C | Option D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Who is the protagonist of Everything, Everything? | Maddy | Olly | Carla | Dr. Whittier |
| 2. What illness does Maddy supposedly have? | Diabetes | SCID | Asthma | Cancer |
| 3. Where do Maddy and Olly travel to? | Paris | Hawaii | New York | London |
| 4. Who helps Maddy meet Olly in person? | Her mother | Her friend | Carla | Her father |
| 5. What symbolizes Maddy’s confinement? | The ocean | The car | The house | The garden |
Exercise
Exercise
Read the following paragraph from Everything, Everything and identify the literary devices used:
“The house creaked in protest as the wind whispered secrets through its walls. Maddy felt like Alice in Wonderland, discovering a world beyond her wildest dreams.”
Answers:
- Personification: “The house creaked in protest” and “the wind whispered secrets.”
- Simile: “Maddy felt like Alice in Wonderland.”
- Allusion: “Alice in Wonderland.”