Frindle

Broadly speaking, the children and adults represent different perspectives on imagination and education. These generalizations extend even beyond Westfield, as portrayed when the narrator describes people adopting the word frindle across the country: “In hundreds of little towns and big cities from coast to coast, kids were using the new word, and parents and teachers were trying to stop it. What had happened in Westfield happened over and over and over again” (84). Characters differ in personalities and opinions within and across generational lines (including opinions about the frindle debate); nonetheless, the children advocate for creative freedom and the adults cling to order and tradition.

First, the students value creativity; if presented with a way to make their learning more hands-on and fun, they will jump on the opportunity. Within Lincoln Elementary, Nick is most notorious for shaking up the routine. Still, Nick insists that he never intends to disrespect his teachers, and in fact, his academic intelligence often shines through his provocative schemes. For example, though Nick pointedly wastes class time by giving an hour-long report, he also uses that time to outline a legitimate and informative presentation that Mrs. Granger applauds. Later, when Nick instigates the frindle phenomenon, he draws inspiration from Mrs.