Turtle in Paradise

Turtle makes repeated references to the films of Shirley Temple, a child actor who was popular at the time. To Turtle, Shirley Temple’s films epitomize an unrealistic Hollywood movie, filled with sappy emotional content. Turtle regularly expresses her disdain for such movies, suggesting that she prefers less overtly emotional stories. However, Turtle turns to Shirley Temple’s iconic song, “On the Good Ship Lollipop,” during the peak of her distress while stranded on the island. This moment symbolizes the appeal as well as the limitations of such media. While singing the song doesn’t actually improve her situation at all, it does distract her and the Diaper Gang for a moment, just as Shirley Temple movies distracted millions of viewers from hardship in their lives throughout the Great Depression.

Throughout the novel, various animals offer symbolic and thematic significance. Most notably, Turtle is named after an animal, and she and others interpret the significance of her name on various occasions. After she eats and enjoys turtle soup thinking it was beef, Turtle’s Uncle Vernon reminds her that turtles have hard shells but soft interiors, showing that Turtle is finally coming to terms with her dualistic nature.

Pets also play a large role in the story. Sadiebelle gave Smokey to Turtle after Turtle was surprised and scared to find a rat on her pillow one night. Smokey is therefore a companion and protector for Turtle, just as she later kills the scorpion that bites Aunt Minnie. Smokey’s fall into the piano sets the Diaper Gang’s treasure hunt in motion, suggesting she has a good-luck-charm quality to her as well. The novel’s other notable pet, Termite, is a dog that Beans accepted ownership of after it refused to leave him. These examples demonstrate the potential for animals to provide meaningful companionship as pets, and the friendship between Smokey and Termite highlights the potential for their owners to get along as well.