1. Significance of Rides and Symbolism Full Tilt

2. Chapter 5 - Carousel Animals were all college mascots
Blake was applying to colleges
B jumps on to the Blue Lion (mascot for Columbia Univ. which he chooses to attend)
Fear of Attending college

3. Chapter 6 Bumper Cars Related to School Bus Incident
Car is a Volvo, what he drives
Car is conservative & safe – similar to his personality
Fear of Driving

4. Chapter 7 - Swinging Boat
Captain = Carl (mom’s fiancé) ; Mom= is hunted whale
Whale has no teeth - defenseless like Mom
Capt. = mom’s usual boyfriends-aggressive and trying to take charge
Fear of Mom’s Relationship w/man

5. Chapter 8 Mirror Maze
Mirrors reflect the way you see yourself –fears & insecurities
Buildings in maze from posters in his room
Command clowns from his recurring nightmares
Blake fears he is weak, cowardly, inadequate, stupid, and scared

6. Chapter 9 Kamikaze His Plane= the Japanese Zero
Cassandra’s Plane= American P-40
He has models of these planes in his room in battle
Blake’s fears rolled into one ride –roller coasters, planes, falling, failing, and taking others down

7. Chapter 11 Wheel of Ra
Ride meant for Quinn: addresses his constant need for attention, and how he is blinded by it
Blake is forced to confront his father & “set him free” or forgive him

8. Chapter 14 Brain Jam
Debris= buildings from Blake’s posters as well as Quinn’s
Relates to Quinn= images from his CD’s, comics, books, and posters
Relates to Blake= images from his head
Fear of trusting each other & working together to survive

9. Chapter 15 Tea Cup / School Bus
Blake rides an 8th ride to save Quinn, Russ, & Maggie
Tea Cup is the School Bus Yellow School Bus incident
Repeats until he remembers how he survived and he forgives himself
Fear of memory of accident