Obscenity

Zits philosophizes about the nature of obscenity, and any teacher wanting to use Flight in the classroom needs to consider the pros and cons of obscenity as part of the educational experience: Check out Steve Anderson's documentary, F**K, for a funny, savvy, and relevant discussion of the history and power of everyone's favorite swear word. Get permission to show it in your classroom and you'll be a superstar.

Justice

Zits encounters the charcter of Justice in jail. Justice is attractive and kind but also manipulative and ruthless. Are these just coincidences or is Alexie making a point? Regardless of the answer, Sherman Alexie has raised a question that has been given much thought by humanity. The question is: What is Justice?

This theme goes hand in hand with Revenge 

Revenge

Zits must face his desire for revenge and learn to understand whether acting on such a desire is ever justified. Many philosophers before Zits have pondered this issue as well, and they all have interesting thoughts on the matter. Start at the Wikipedia page on Revenge, examine the Old Testament, and read what Sun Tzu might have to say about it.

"Killings," by Andre Dubus, is a short story which focuses around the concept of revenge.  Here is the first sentence of the story: "On the August morning when Matt Fowler buried his youngest son, Frank, who had lived for twenty-one years, eight months, and four days, Matt's older son, Steve, turned to him as the family left the grave and walked between their friends, and said: 'I should kill him.' "  This story is in a collection called In the Bedroom.  The theme of revenge parallels nicely with the morale questions raised in Flight, and since "Killings" is a short story, it could be easily incorporated into a unit teaching Flight.

Violence

This book is drenched in violent acts that take place before "Zits" is an adolescent and while "Zits" is exploring for himself as an adolescent. His father's drunken behavior and lack of parenting influence "Zits" in a way that shapes him into a hoodlum for a good part of the novel. He constantly is getting arrested, so much that the police talk to him on a friendly level.

Then there is the violence that is harvested through the lack of love and affection. These emotions are essential for a child to growing up respecting others; love and affection instill the very moral fibers that any good kid has, and without it, "Zits" merely represents just another number in a prison cell. Being the good kid that he is, and the good nature of people that look out for him, he turns his life around for the better by the end of the novel.   

What can the lack of parenting tell us about violence and those that engage in that activity? How can we remold a troubled child as well as Alexie did with Michael? 

Quest for an Identity

"Zits" is confused about who he is. He is certain that he is Native American and Irish, but he does not recall any experiences that correspond to either his Irish or Native American heritage. This stems from the lack of parenting in his life; his father left him when he was born, and his mother passed away when he was still very young. The fact that he is a foster child seems to add to this confusion. 

If you are interested in learning more about teens and identity, check out these books. The Lost Boy, written by Dave Pelzer, offers insight on a foster child's need for love. In this respect, it is similar to the love in which "Zits" is searching for. Beyond the Foster Care System: The Future for Teens, written by Betsy Krebs and Paul Pitcoff, mentions the inadequacies and functions of the foster care program.      

History of Native Americans

The history and plight of Native Americans is central to Zits's sense of identity and the historical and cultural context that frames Zits's story. Students (and teachers), however, seldom know much about that aspect of American history. To gain familiarity, check out American Indian Stories, a short collection of autobiographical stories by Zitkala-Sa, as well as Vine Deloria's Custer Died for your Sins, and the begining of A People's History of the United States, by Howard Zinn.

Co-curricular assignments can be created with the Social Studies/American History and English departments regarding the history of colonization and the Americanization of Indians.  The American Indian Education Association has information pertaining to history of Native American Education in the United States.  An interesting way to incorporate this topic in the classroom would be to begin with Captain Richard H. Pratt's quote regarding the education of Native Americans, "Kill the Indian, and Save the Man."

A person's mental health can affect every action and decision that he/she makes. Abandonment, insecurity, and the search for an identity affect the protagonist's, "Zits", mental health. "Zits" is currently on a dangerous path that could lead to self destruction. In this respect, it is important to posit an awareness within our future students, so that they can learn from this experience to obtain a high level of mental health. "Zits turns the corner from his depressive state only through possessing the soul of his father. His father's body acts as the vessel in which "Zits" is presented with his father's story. This closure helps him move on in life with less resentment,  and it allows him to develop an emotional connection with his final foster parents. 

Need for Love/Need for a stable family

Many of Zits problems occur because of his need for love.  Zits bounces from foster family to foster family because of his rebellious nature.  This stems from his feelings that no one, including his foster families love him.  He often thinks about the only person that loved him, his mother.  When Zits meets Justice, he is immediately drawn to him because he seemed to take interest in Zits.  Zits journey into each body taught him something new about himself and the definition of love.  Zits final realization comes when he breaks down because he realizes his new foster family truly cares about him. 

Throughout the course of the book, Zits mentions some difficulties that he has encountered in the foster care system and in his process of being adopted.  The following are some links to information and sites that touch on adoption. 

Hallmark Channel series titled "Adoption" These are videos of real familys sharing their stories about adopting and being adopted.

Essay on Transracial Adoptions