Sixteenyearold nicholas andreas is called before a judge after his girlfriend, caitlyn, seeks a restraining order against him. Breathing underwater deals with the serious and alltoocommon problem of dating violence. He fell in love with caitlyn and they started going out. Summary about the book breathing underwater free essays. I had met judy kitchner, their teacher, at a summer. Nick andreas changes from an aggressive and abusive. Nick vs self nick struggles to avoid his violence issues when it comes to his girlfriend caitlin. When she was five years old, her mother suggested that she should be an author.
Throughout the novel its shown how he met caitlin and. Now nick must confront his inner demons to stop the history of violence from repeating itself. But when nicks anger and jealousy overtake him, things begin to spiral out of control and nick realizes that hes more his fathers son than he wants to be. What is nick andreas character from breathing underwater.
Would nick, given a choice, want things like they used to be when he was with caitlin. Hes in an anger management class now and if he can only get caitlins love back he knows he can change. The main character in the book frindle are nick and mrs. Download teachers guide for breathing underwater alex. What is the plot in the novel breathing underwater. And maybe nick used his fist at the end when the anger got out of control. In breathing under water, richard rohr shows how the gospel principles in the twelve steps can free anyone from any addictionfrom an obvious dependence on alcohol or drugs to the more common but less visible addiction that we all have to sin. Nick andreas is the main character of breathing underwater, a sixteen year old. I related to this story when nick is in the family violence class and thinks to himself how the class wont help him and he shouldnt be there. In breathing underwater, nick andreas is an average rich white kid living in key biscayne, except for one thing. External conflict nick abused his girlfriend because that is all he has ever known. Who are the characters in breathing underwater by alex flinn. A few days ago i finished reading breathing under water. Nick resists the work in the class and does not consider himself to be an abuser.
Locate at least three details in the first chapters that reveal the setting of the book and the lifestyle of the characters. About the author when alex flinn was five, her mother informed her that she would be an author when she grew up. We will explore quotes from the novel while learning about 16yearold nick andreas, his strained. Almost like nick andreas in the novel breathing underwater by alex finn. Ever feel like youre breathing underwater, and you have to stop because youre gulping in too much fluid. Alex flinn takes you on a roller coaster in this coming of age tale of a boy with a lot of pent up frustration. Alex started writing an early draft of breathing underwater in college. Identify the major characters in breathing underwater. Nick andreas nick andreas is the main character of breathing underwater, a sixteen year old with issues whos in an anger management class after being found guilty of abusing his girlfriend.
When nick meets caitlin, he thinks that she is the answer to all his problems. It is about a boy named nick who hides a terrible secret. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. But nick cant bear to lose the girl he says he loves. Internal conflict nick is fighting himself about how he treated caitlin. Breathing underwater is a 2001 young adult novel by alex flinn nick andreas has received a restraining order from his exgirlfriend caitlin. Other teen novelsmost strikingly dreamland by sarah dessenhave shown dating violence from the point of view of a young girl trapped in an abusive relationship, but in breathing underwater, firsttime novelist alex flinn tackles the difficult task of making us understand, if not sympathize with, the motivation of a violent young man. Breathing underwater is a story about mistakes, retribution, and the cycle of abuse.
I learned about the thought process of someone that abuses mentally and physically. This book shows that when you keep things in and grow feelings quickly it could impact your life. This book is written so well that it becomes the hook for my nonreading students. The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via audible. Pages in category fictional undersea characters the following 23 pages are in this category, out of 23 total. Caitlin is everything nick has ever wanted beautiful, talented, and in love with him. Nick beat up his girlfriend, caitlin, and the novel opens with his day in court. We will explore quotes from the novel while learning about 16yearold nick andreas, his strained relationship with girlfriend, caitlin, and their clique. Apr 12, 2012 its been awhile since ive written about books. External conflict nick s drunken father physically abuses him. In this lesson, we will get to know the characters in alex flinns novel breathing underwater.
Like youre trying to be a man when youre just a scared kid, trying to keep under control when you really want to scream, cry, maybe hit someone. Breathing underwater notes life of the author alex flinn grew up in syosset, new york, a small town on long island, new york and lived in miami, florida. Asked in scuba what is an underwater breathing device. Buy a cheap copy of breathing underwater book by alex flinn. Nick vs society after nick hits caitlin his whole group of friends no longer talk to him, including his best friend. The novel focuses on nick and his attempts to come. Will nick stick to his punishment or will he violate the terms of his parole. Alex based the book on her experiences interning with the state attorneys office and volunteering with battered women. Breathing underwater is about sixteen year old nick andreas who leads a.
In your own words, write a brief summary of what happened between nick and caitlin. This happens to be the tough life of nick andreas in the book breathing underwater by alex flinn. The main character in this book was nick, he was the usually teenage kid, good grades, popular kid, he owned a car, and most importantly nick had the girl of his. However, things are not what they seem on the surface. Booktalks and learning guide by joni bodart breathing underwater flinn, alex. Nick has never told anyone about his fathers violent temper. Aug 26, 2014 breathing underwater is a book written by alex finn.
For example, at the end of the jan 17 th chapter an appropriate question would be. I often find myself with someone trying to help me with a situation i need help on and try to resist them because i think i can solve it. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of breathing underwater by alex flinn. The novel focuses on nick and his attempts to come to terms with what he did to caitlin. Abuse and characters nick andreas essay 1247 words major tests. The quiz and worksheet are available 247 in case you want to check your understanding of the characters in breathing underwater. Jan 19, 2010 write a prediction guide for a new reader of breathing underwater. Jan 29, 2012 i recently read a book, it was called breathing underwater by alex flinn.
Breathing underwater nick andreas november 2, 2001. Start studying breathing underwater character quiz. Its a slim volume, a mere 128 pages of text, but it took me awhile to read as his commentary on each of the twelve steps is so thought. My dads been different since i stood up to him, not nice, but he hasnt. The main character in this book was nick, he was the usually teenage kid, good. Throughout the novel its shown how he met caitlin and how he is doing after. Who are the characters in breathing underwater by alex. What does the title phrase breathing underwater mean. For 16yearold nick andreas, these words from his violence counselor ring true.
Breathing underwater is a book written by alex finn. Apr 24, 2001 breathing underwater is a staple in my clasroom. Breathing under water analysis on nick andreas 999 words. But then nick discovers that, just like his father, he has anger issues. Breathing underwater character quiz flashcards quizlet. Atrisk ninth graders dive into literary analysis i looked out at the english class before me, a group of 21 ninth graders deemed atrisk, and wondered if i was in over my head. I was wondering what it means to breathe underwater. Breathing underwater by alex flinn is a young adult novel that examines the main character the abusive relationships the main character, nick, has with his father and with his girlfriend, caitlin. It tells the story of nick, a sixteenyearold from a comfortable background, and his devoted girlfriend, caitlin. Breathing underwater is a 2002 young adult novel by alex flinn. Asked in alex rider who are the characters in the book beastly by alex.