20-minute plan
- Skim your text and jot down 4 explicit hole references with character context
- Group references into physical, emotional, or structural categories
- Draft a 1-sentence analysis of how one category ties to the novel’s core message
Keyword Guide · theme-symbolism
The Theme of Holes in There There: Study Guide for Students
Holes in Tommy Orange’s There There function as both literal and symbolic devices that tie together the novel’s core concerns. This guide gives you concrete tools to unpack their meaning for discussions, quizzes, and essays. Start by mapping every reference to holes you can find in the text.
In There There, holes represent unresolved intergenerational trauma, erasure of Indigenous identity, and the gaps between past and present. They appear as physical spaces, emotional voids, and structural absences that characters navigate throughout the narrative. List 3 specific hole references from the text to anchor your analysis.
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Answer Block
In There There, the theme of holes encompasses physical spaces (like urban lots or abandoned sites) and abstract gaps (like lost cultural knowledge or unaddressed trauma). The symbol connects individual character struggles to broader Indigenous experiences of displacement and erasure. Holes are not just empty spaces—they carry the weight of unspoken history.
Next step: Circle every explicit mention of holes in your annotated copy of the text, then label each as physical, emotional, or structural.
Key Takeaways
- Holes symbolize intergenerational trauma and erased Indigenous histories in There There
- The theme appears as physical spaces, emotional voids, and systemic absences
- Connecting hole references to specific characters strengthens analysis
- This theme works well for thesis statements linking personal and collective struggle
20-Minute Plan and 60-Minute Plan
60-minute plan
- Create a full list of all hole references, noting page numbers where they appear
- Write a 3-sentence analysis for each category, linking to specific character arcs
- Draft two potential thesis statements for an essay on the theme
- Outline 2 body paragraphs that support one of the thesis statements
3-Step Study Plan
Action: Read through your annotated copy and mark every hole reference
Output: A bulleted list of hole references with character and context notes
Action: Sort your list into physical, emotional, and structural hole types
Output: A 3-column chart organizing references by category
Action: Connect each category to a broader novel theme (trauma, identity, displacement)
Output: A 1-page analysis linking hole symbolism to core novel messages
Discussion Kit
- What’s one physical hole reference and how does it reflect a character’s emotional state?
- How do holes connect individual character struggles to collective Indigenous experiences?
- Why might the author use holes alongside a more direct symbol for trauma?
- Name a character who tries to fill a hole—what does their attempt reveal about their values?
- How do hole references change or develop across the course of the novel?
- Can a hole symbolize something positive in the text? Explain your answer.
- How would the novel’s message shift if holes were not used as a symbol?
- Link a hole reference to a real-world Indigenous issue discussed in class.
Essay Kit
Thesis Templates
- In There There, Tommy Orange uses the symbol of holes to argue that intergenerational trauma cannot be ignored, as seen through [character 1]’s struggle with [specific hole reference] and [character 2]’s attempt to fill a structural gap in their community.
- The theme of holes in There There exposes the ongoing impact of Indigenous displacement, with physical spaces representing emotional voids and systemic absences that characters must navigate to reclaim their identity.
Outline Skeletons
- Intro: Thesis linking holes to personal and collective struggle
- Body 1: Analyze one character’s relationship to a physical hole
Sentence Starters
- The hole at [specific location] represents not just an empty space, but
- When [character] interacts with [hole reference], their actions reveal
Essay Builder
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- Outline body paragraphs linked to hole symbolism
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Exam Kit
Checklist
- I can list 3 types of hole symbolism in There There
- I can link each type to a specific character or event
- I can explain how holes connect to broader Indigenous themes
- I have 2 potential thesis statements for an essay on the theme
- I can identify a common mistake students make when analyzing this theme
- I can use a hole reference to support a claim about intergenerational trauma
- I can compare hole symbolism to another symbol in the novel
- I can draft a 1-sentence analysis of a specific hole reference
- I have grouped hole references into physical, emotional, and structural categories
- I can explain why the author chose holes as a central symbol
Common Mistakes
- Treating holes only as physical spaces, ignoring emotional and structural interpretations
- Failing to link hole references to specific characters or their arcs
- Making broad claims about trauma without anchoring them to the symbol
- Confusing the theme of holes with other symbols in the novel
- Forgetting to connect individual hole references to broader Indigenous experiences
Self-Test
- Name one physical hole reference and explain its symbolic meaning
- How does the theme of holes connect to intergenerational trauma in the novel?
- What is one common mistake students make when analyzing this theme, and how can you avoid it?
How-To Block
Action: Read through your text and write down every explicit mention of holes, including character context
Output: A bulleted list of 5+ hole references with associated character details
Action: Sort references into physical, emotional, or structural groups, then write a 1-sentence analysis for each group
Output: A 3-section chart with references and brief analysis for each category
Action: Use your analysis to draft a discussion question, thesis statement, or quiz answer
Output: A polished, evidence-based response ready for class or assessment
Rubric Block
Evidence Selection
Teacher looks for: Specific, relevant hole references tied to characters or events
How to meet it: Avoid broad claims—anchor every analysis to an explicit mention of a hole from the text
Symbolic Analysis
Teacher looks for: Clear connection between hole references and broader themes (trauma, identity, displacement)
How to meet it: Explain not just what the hole is, but what it represents for the character or community
Contextualization
Teacher looks for: Links between individual hole references and broader Indigenous experiences
How to meet it: Connect character-specific hole interactions to the novel’s exploration of displacement and erasure
Physical Holes in There There
Physical holes appear as empty urban lots, abandoned buildings, or unmarked sites tied to Indigenous history. They represent the physical displacement of Indigenous communities and the erasure of their connection to land. Use this before class discussion to lead a conversation about how space shapes identity. List 2 physical hole references and their associated locations in your notes.
Emotional Holes in There There
Emotional holes are the unspoken gaps in characters’ lives—grief, unresolved trauma, or disconnected cultural identity. They manifest as feelings of emptiness or longing that characters struggle to fill. Use this before essay drafting to anchor a body paragraph on intergenerational trauma. Select one character and map their emotional hole to a specific event in the novel.
Structural Holes in There There
Structural holes are systemic gaps in access to cultural resources, political power, or historical knowledge. They represent the ongoing impact of colonial policies on Indigenous communities. Use this before quiz review to prepare for questions on thematic symbolism. Draft a 1-sentence analysis of how a structural hole affects one character’s choices.
Connecting Holes to Collective Experience
The theme of holes unites individual character struggles to broader Indigenous experiences of erasure and displacement. A single hole reference can reflect both a character’s personal grief and a community’s lost history. Use this before group projects to propose a topic linking individual and collective themes. Brainstorm 3 ways to connect a specific hole reference to a real-world Indigenous issue.
Common Student Mistakes to Avoid
Many students only analyze physical holes, ignoring emotional and structural interpretations. This limits their ability to fully unpack the theme’s complexity. Another common mistake is failing to link hole references to broader Indigenous themes, leading to shallow analysis. Use this before exam prep to check your work for these gaps. Review your analysis and add one emotional or structural hole reference you previously missed.
Using Hole Symbolism in Essays
Hole symbolism works well as a central thesis focus or supporting evidence for essays on trauma, identity, or displacement. When using it in an essay, always anchor your claim to a specific reference from the text. Use this before essay submission to strengthen your thesis. Revise your thesis to explicitly mention hole symbolism and its connection to a broader theme.
What do holes symbolize in There There?
Holes symbolize intergenerational trauma, erased Indigenous histories, and gaps between past and present. They appear as physical spaces, emotional voids, and systemic absences that characters navigate throughout the novel.
How do I analyze the theme of holes in There There?
Start by gathering all explicit hole references from the text, then group them into physical, emotional, or structural categories. Link each category to specific characters and broader Indigenous themes to build your analysis.
Can I use hole symbolism for a thesis statement in There There?
Yes, hole symbolism is a strong focus for a thesis statement, especially when linking individual character struggles to collective Indigenous experiences of displacement and erasure.
What is a common mistake students make when analyzing holes in There There?
A common mistake is only interpreting holes as physical spaces, ignoring the emotional and structural interpretations that carry much of the theme’s thematic weight.
Editorial note: This page is independently written for educational support. Verify specifics with assigned class materials and the original text.
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