Julie Otsuka has expressed being fascinated by the culture of locker rooms at community pools, calling them “gendered spaces” not often encountered elsewhere. In what ways does the culture of the pool in the novel reinforce or defy traditional gender values? Does its treatment of gender align with the pool’s role in the swimmers’ lives?

Consider the structure of the novel, focusing on how the five parts fit into the narrative as a whole. What effect does this structure have on the reading experience? Does it support or detract from the effectiveness of the book’s themes and messages? Provide examples to support your answer.

Compare and contrast the setting of the pool with the setting aboveground in Parts 1 and 2. What do their differences or similarities say about mental health and anxiety? Identify one example of a different setting that could be used to explore these concepts and explain your reasoning.