Stuck in Neutral

by Terry Trueman

Start Free Trial

Stuck in Neutral Questions and Answers

Stuck in Neutral Study Tools

Ask a question Start an essay

Stuck in Neutral

The ending of Stuck in Neutral is ambiguous, leaving it unclear whether Shawn dies. As Shawn experiences a seizure, his father sits nearby with a pillow, contemplating his actions. While the father's...

1 educator answer

Stuck in Neutral

In Stuck in Neutral, Shawn McDaniels, accurately states that his brother Paul always finds a reason to stay angry. Paul bears the burden of a family that fell apart because of Shawn's cerebral palsy....

1 educator answer

Stuck in Neutral

The main theme is about Shawn's quality of life.  With his handicap, Shawn will never be able to have a relationship with a woman.  He'll never be able to walk, feed himself, or...

2 educator answers

Stuck in Neutral

Syd is definitely more concerned about his own feelings than being there for his son. He leaves his son and the rest of his family because he simply "cannot handle" having a disabled son. This,...

1 educator answer

Stuck in Neutral

In Stuck in Neutral, Shawn says that his cerebral palsy makes him appear unintelligent and incapable in the world's eyes.

3 educator answers

Stuck in Neutral

Stuck in Neutral, written by Terry Trueman, is a young adult novel about Shawn McDaniel. Shawn is fourteen years old and has cerebral palsy. He seems, to others, to be in a vegetative state, as he...

1 educator answer

Stuck in Neutral

Because he is unable to control his muscles or his facial expressions, Shawn cannot at all communicate his thoughts and feelings.  All his father sees when he looks at him is a child who...

3 educator answers

Stuck in Neutral

On the face of it, you'd wonder why on earth Shawn would derive any pleasure from his dad's poem. After all, it concerns the difficulties and challenges that Shawn's old man has had to overcome in...

1 educator answer

Stuck in Neutral

There are many conflicts in Stuck in Neutral by Terry Truman, but the central conflicts revolve around Shawn's desire to stay alive and prove that his life has worth and his father's desire to do...

1 educator answer

Stuck in Neutral

Actually, I would argue that Shawn's dad doesn't really cope with his son's condition at all. In fact, he does just about everything he can to avoid having to cope with it. Instead of devising a...

1 educator answer

Stuck in Neutral

Shawn's school experience in "Stuck in Neutral" is challenging due to his severe cerebral palsy. Although he is mentally alert and aware, his inability to communicate or control his body leads others...

1 educator answer

Stuck in Neutral

In "Stuck in Neutral," Shawn's father is conflicted about his son. He struggles with feelings of guilt and helplessness due to Shawn's severe cerebral palsy. Despite loving Shawn deeply, he...

4 educator answers