Kawakami titles her novel after a painting described by Kojima. Discuss why Kojima’s description of the painting is important and how it reflects on the role of friendship in the novel.

The narrator and Kojima have difficult family lives. Analyze how their relationships with their parents impact their self-perceptions and philosophies.

Kawakami’s novel comments on the widespread problem of bullying in schools. Discuss its approach to the problem in comparison with another novel that also discusses bullying. What does Kawakami do differently in her novel?