Intro
Characters
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Mike Chambers
100
Bryon Douglas is the narrator of the story.
Who is telling the story?
100
Mark is Bryon’s best friend.
Who is Mark?
100
The owe Charlie $3 for past cokes.
Why do Mark and Bryon need $3?
100
Bryon’s mother had an operation.
Why do Mark and Bryon go to the hospital?
100
When Mike arrived in the woman’s neighbourhood, she told her friends to “kill” him.
How does Mike get hurt?
200
The characters introduced are Mark, Bryon, Charlie, M&M, Cathy, Curly, Mike and the Shepard’s Gang.
List the characters introduced in this chapter.
200
a. Physical: small, compact, golden eyes, golden hair, grins like a “friendly lion,” very strong and tough b. Psychological: could talk anyone into anything, likes to fight, dishonest (hot wires cars, steals money, no guilty conscience), protective of what and who he likes, cool, untouched, unworried, unaffected by events, likes to drink and smoke.
Point form, list physical and psychological traits for Mark.
200
He takes it from Shepards during a scuffle (brawl).
How does Mark get the $3 he and Bryon owe Charlie?
200
How do Mark and Bryon get to the hospital?
They hitch a ride and get picked up by Randy (a hippy).
200
He agrees with Mike’s father that the boy is stupid, states that he would hate for the rest of his life anyone who beat him so badly.
How did Mark each react to Mike’s forgiveness?
300
M&M got his name because he is always eating M&M chocolate candies.
How did M&M get his name?
300
a. Physical: hippy (flower child), young – 13 years old, big grey eyes, charcoal coloured hair down past his ears, wears old army jacket, moccasins, a peace sign, likes kids, great smile b. Psychological: honest, serious, non-violent, caring, absent-minded, addicted to M&M’s, never lost his temper, smart
Point form, list physical and psychological traits for M&M.
300
Because M&M is being harassed.
Why do Mark and Bryon get into a fight?
300
He picked up an African American woman who was being hassled by some white guys and drove her home.
What does Mike do?
300
Mikes feels no resentment toward African Americans even though they beat him badly. In fact, he tells Bryon and Mark that he can almost understand why Connie told her friends to kill him. It was an occasion for her to get back at the white race for persecuting, harassing, and humiliating her all her life.
What is unusual about Mike’s reaction to his experience?
400
He is a free-spirited teenager, streetwise, a hustler, a pool player and a lady’s man.
What is Bryon like?
400
a. Physical : 16 years old, big guy, baby-faced, five feet ten, dark hair, big sad eyes b. Psycological: follower, likes to fight, can’t accept authority, has no respect for cops, popular with the girls, trustworthy, hustler, likes to tease
Point form, list physical and psychological traits for Bryon.
400
Mark and Bryon fight with the Shepard brothers.
Who do Mark and Bryon get into a fight with?
400
She is M&M’s sister; he knew her when she was still in braces.
Why does the waitress look familiar to Bryon?
400
He admires and understands Mike’s attitude.
How did Bryon react to Mike’s forgiveness?
500
The neighbourhood in which the two boys live is described as a rough, poor and dangerous; the street is lined with bars, consisting of a pool hall, a drugstore and a bowling alley.
What is the setting? Describe it.
500
Mike Chambers is a patient whom Bryon’s mother suggests the boys visit.
Who is Mike Chambers?
500
They are very close friends, more like brothers. Mark actually lives with Bryon and his mother. They respect each other.
What is Mark and Bryon’s relationship?
500
The police found Bryon drunk, so they picked him up and slapped him around.
What bad experience did Bryon have with the police at age 13?
500
The story raises two important issues. The first is that a person who acts on his principle cannot necessarily expect reward. In fact, he must be prepared for the possibility that he will suffer for his actions. The story also suggests that revenge is pointless and only begins a new cycle of violence.
What lessons are contained in the story of Mike Chambers?
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