1. The Pigman by Paul Zindel
Born in NYC in 1936.
Became a high school teacher in 1959.
Began writing career while teaching.
Uses teenagers as his protagonists.
His ten years of teaching experience provided him with a “million stories” about young people.

2. Features of Zindel’s Writing
Goal is to help young readers to stop feeling inferior.
He wants his books to offer hope and to teach young people self-respect.
Romance, mischief, and suspense are frequently found in his works.
He uses these elements to enhance action and establish realism.

3. Setting A frequent feature of Zindel’s work is a school setting.
* He believes such an environment helps to create a realistic atmosphere
* This realistic atmosphere helps readers to identify with the story.
Staten Island, New York
Late 1960s

4. Point of View Two first person narrators John and Lorraine
* main characters in the story
* take turns narrating
* often have insights into one another’s pesonality.

5. Themes Escape from loneliness Deception and lying
Dealing with death and loss
Family
Relationships
Friendship
Responsibility

6. Symbols
Baboons
Ceramic pigs