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Chapter 12
Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Frindle, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Language
Power, Hierarchy, and Rules
Responsibility and Fame
Leadership and Teamwork
Summary
Analysis
Within a few weeks, things do return to normal in Westfield, though "frindle" persists. Most kids and even some teachers use it, and most Westfield residents barely notice that it's anything different. In the rest of the country, however, kids try to use the word while their teachers and parents try to stop them. Bud Lawrence sells shirts, sunglasses, erasers, and notebooks. He deposits bigger and bigger checks into Nick's account and eventually opens a factory in Westfield to make frindle-branded baseball caps. In March, Westfield's city council votes to put up a sign declaring Westfield the home of "frindle."
The factory and the sign in particular indicate that "frindle" will have lasting positive effects on Nick's town, as it's creating jobs and is likely helping them in terms of tourism. This offers another way in which new language and civil protest can create positive change. Note too that adults around the country try to stop kids from using the word; this makes the use of frindle subversive—and as such, likely more attractive to young people.
Themes
Mrs. Granger seems to have given up or forgotten for the most part, though she puts the word "pen" on every single spelling test. Every student gets it wrong, as they write "frindle" instead. Nick enjoys the fame for a few weeks and tells his friends about riding in limos and being on TV, but he finds that he can't quite forget the whole thing, even after it dies down.
Even though things have quieted down for the most part, Mrs. Granger's decision to put "pen" on her spelling tests allows her to preserve her students' momentum and make them feel as though they're still fighting for something.
Themes
