The Thing About Jellyfish

Suzy observes that jellyfish are “stinging machines” as they sting quickly and without any decision-making. They also live emotionless lives; all activities (swimming, drifting, stinging, mating) are completed without “drama, love, friendship, or sorrow. They don’t get stuck in any of the stuff that gets people in trouble” (170).

When Mrs. Turton calls on Suzy to deliver her science report, Suzy thinks of Jamie during his painful Irukandji sting experience. His bravery gives her the courage to speak. Suzy shares facts about jellyfish while she broaches her idea that “deadly jellyfish that used to be only in places like Australia” (174) now exist in other places—even Maryland. Mrs. Turton interrupts to tell her she is out of time, but Suzy insists on finishing her report. Suzy tries to convey that some deaths—maybe even Franny’s—that are attributed to a variety of explanations are actually the result of jellyfish stings. She is crushed by her classmates’ reactions; several show they are bored, two girls pass a note and laugh, and Molly signals to Aubrey that Suzy is crazy.

Suzy feels she has failed: “Somehow, in this report, the most important words I’d ever spoken out loud, I’d done something wrong” (177).