From: Kathleen Horning <horning>
Date: Thu, 09 Aug 2001 09:48:41 -0500

Katherine, I think the "what happened" question you were left with when you finished "I Am the Cheese" is exactly what Cormier wanted from readers.

There are many possible answers to the question. The most literal interpretation is that the main character was completely insane and the whole story took place in his mind as he was riding his bicycle around the grounds of an institution. If you take one step back from that interpretation, you might think that everything really did happen and he was driven insane intentionally by people who wanted to keep him quiet.

The fact that there are many interpretations is what makes "I Am the Cheese" such a great book to read and discuss. I often give the book to adults who claim they "don't read children's books." One of these friends once woke me up with a 2:00 am phone call as soon as he finished the book, saying "His parents were double agents!" Although it was the middle of the night and we hadn't spoken by phone for months, I knew immediately exactly what he was talking about, even though, like you, I'm still not sure what happened in "I Am the Cheese." I don't think there is supposed to be a definitive answer.

Kathleen Horning

Kathleen T. Horning (horning at education.wisc.edu) Cooperative Children's Book Center University of Wisconsin-School of Education 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 North Park St. Madison, WI 53706 608&3930 FAX: 608&2I33

07:27AM >>> I don't feel the emotions about Robert Cormier so much as the confusion about I am the Cheese. What happened there? I would love some enlightment there.
Received on Thu 09 Aug 2001 09:48:41 AM CDT