Book Summary

"Killing Mr. Griffin" by Lois Duncan is a young adult novel about a group of high school students who plot to kidnap their strict English teacher, Mr. Griffin, as a prank. However, things quickly spiral out of control when they accidentally kill him. The students struggle to keep their secret hidden as they deal with the guilt and fear of being caught.

Main Themes

• The consequences of actions: The novel explores the idea that every action has a consequence, and that even seemingly harmless pranks can have serious repercussions.

• Power dynamics: The power dynamic between the students and their teacher is a major theme in the novel. The students feel powerless in the face of Mr. Griffin's strict rules and harsh punishments, which leads them to take extreme measures to regain control.

• Guilt and responsibility: The students are forced to confront their guilt and responsibility for Mr. Griffin's death, and must decide whether to come forward and face the consequences or continue to hide their secret.

Motifs

• Secrets and lies: The students are constantly hiding their involvement in Mr. Griffin's death, and must weave a web of lies to keep their secret hidden.

• Betrayal: The students turn on each other as the pressure of their secret becomes too much to bear, leading to feelings of betrayal and mistrust.

• Redemption: The novel explores the idea of redemption, as the students struggle to make amends for their actions and come to terms with the consequences of their choices.

Characters

• Susan McConnell (Nerd): Represents Ophelia from Shakespeare, glasses represent intelligence & blindness, she takes off her glasses around David because she is blind to her love for him, wants to run away from home, (“someday”) helped play a prank on Mr. Griffin, (decoy) wants to report it & is scared of messing up, has good relations with her family, is a great student

• Mr. Griffin: (Strict Teacher) Del Norte High H.S teacher, strict & stiff, wants students to do their best, always gives low grades, made Mark beg to take the class a second time, broke up Mark & Lana, was victim to the gang’s prank on him, has Angina (pills), a Stanford ring (tree), has a tie which represents noose (his time running out) & dignity, has a pregnant wife

• Mark Kinney: (Stoner) sucks at school, is on drugs, psychopath, sociopath, (lit a cat on fire) dated Lana, begged Mr. Griffin to retake his class, broke up with Lana, mastermind of the prank on Griffin, killed his own father, (arson & sleeping pills) was disowned, now has aunt & uncle taking care of him, can easily manipulate others, has “funny” grey eyes

• Jeff Garrett: (Jock) Dating Betsy, plays basketball, best friends with Mark, knows he is a psychopath, remembers Mark “funny” & manipulative eyes since grade 6

• Betsy Cline (Popular Cheerleader) Dating Jeff, has a crush on Mark, very manipulative, will make your life a living hell if you compete against her, has this allusion of “cuteness”, father is on county commision, got a speeding ticket

• David Ruggles: (Popular President) Father left him & his mother, suspects Griffin was his father (same Stanford ring), had his grandma killed by Mark, felt sympathy for Griffin, also dreams of (“someday”), needs good grades to provide for his family, messes up his alibi

Symbols

• Wind (freedom & chaos)

• Waterfall (Susan’s demise & suicide (as Ophelia))

• Willow tree (Mr. G’s death but his life and wisdom also)

• Watch (Mr. G’s time running out)

• Glasses (

• Pills

• Jello

• Tie (Mr. G’s dignity and noose)

Extras:

https://www.supersummary.com/killing-mr-griffin/summary/

https://www.gradesaver.com/killing-mr-griffin/study-guide/summary