Study Guide for Louis Sachar's Holes

Course Hero Study Guides

This study guide will help you understand the novel Holes by Louis Sachar. It provides chapter summaries, character analyses, themes, symbols, and more.

Chapter Summaries

Chapter 1: Stanley Yelnats is Sent to Camp Green Lake

Stanley Yelnats is a 14-year-old boy who is overweight and unlucky. He is accused of stealing a pair of shoes, even though he did not steal them, and is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center in the desert of Texas.

Study Guide for Louis Sachar's Holes (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Thanjai Ko Kannan

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2115 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	58 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	96 pages
Reading age	:	14 years and up
Lexile measure	:	1180L
Item Weight	:	3.04 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.31 x 0.26 x 8.2 inches

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Chapter 2: Stanley Arrives at Camp Green Lake

Stanley arrives at Camp Green Lake and is assigned to work on the "D" line, the most difficult work assignment. He meets the other boys in his group, including Zero, a small and quiet boy who is also unlucky.

Chapter 3: Stanley and Zero Dig Holes

Stanley and Zero begin digging holes in the desert. The holes are 6 feet deep and 6 feet wide. Stanley is surprised to find that he enjoys digging holes, and he begins to feel a sense of accomplishment.

Chapter 4: The Curse of the Yelnats Family

Stanley learns about the curse of the Yelnats family. The curse was placed on the family by a gypsy woman named Madame Zeroni. The curse states that the Yelnats family will be cursed with bad luck until they have helped someone in need.

Chapter 5: Stanley and Zero Work Together

Stanley and Zero begin to work together to dig holes. They help each other, and they begin to develop a friendship. Stanley also learns that Zero is a very talented digger.

Chapter 6: The Warden's Cabin

Stanley and Zero find a treasure chest buried in the desert. They take the treasure chest to the warden's cabin, and the warden opens it. The treasure chest contains a golden tube with a note inside.

Chapter 7: The End of the Curse

Stanley and Zero read the note in the golden tube. The note tells them that the Yelnats family curse has been lifted. Stanley and Zero are overjoyed, and they celebrate by digging the biggest hole they can.

Character Analyses

Stanley Yelnats

Stanley is the protagonist of the novel. He is a 14-year-old boy who is overweight and unlucky. He is accused of stealing a pair of shoes, even though he did not steal them, and is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center in the desert of Texas. Despite his bad luck, Stanley is a good-hearted boy who is always willing to help others. He is also a hard worker, and he eventually learns to enjoy digging holes.

Zero

Zero is a small and quiet boy who is also unlucky. He is Stanley's best friend at Camp Green Lake. Zero is a talented digger, and he helps Stanley to dig the biggest hole he can.

The Warden

The Warden is the head of Camp Green Lake. He is a cruel and heartless man who takes pleasure in punishing the boys. The Warden is also a racist, and he often makes racist remarks to the boys.

Themes

The Curse of Bad Luck

The curse of bad luck is a major theme in the novel. The Yelnats family has been cursed with bad luck for generations. However, Stanley is able to break the curse by helping others.

The Importance of Friendship

Friendship is another major theme in the novel. Stanley and Zero become friends at Camp Green Lake. Their friendship helps them to survive the harsh conditions of the camp.

The Power of Hope

Hope is another important theme in the novel. Even though Stanley and Zero are unlucky, they never give up hope. They believe that they can overcome the curse of bad luck and find a better life.

Symbols

The Holes

The holes in the novel are a symbol of the challenges that Stanley and Zero face. However, the holes also represent hope. Stanley and Zero find a treasure chest buried in one of the holes, and they believe that the treasure chest will help them to break the curse of bad luck.

The Golden Tube

The golden tube in the novel is a symbol of hope. The tube contains a note that tells Stanley and Zero that the Yelnats family curse has been lifted. The tube gives Stanley and Zero the hope that they can have a better life.

This study guide will help you understand the novel Holes by Louis Sachar. It provides chapter summaries, character analyses, themes, symbols, and more.

Study Guide for Louis Sachar's Holes (Course Hero Study Guides)

by Thanjai Ko Kannan

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2115 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	58 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Paperback	:	96 pages
Reading age	:	14 years and up
Lexile measure	:	1180L
Item Weight	:	3.04 ounces
Dimensions	:	5.31 x 0.26 x 8.2 inches

FREE