Plot & Character
This character is angry at Greg because Greg is failing math and cannot play basketball.
Greg's father
A small porch or set of steps leading up to the entrance of a building.
Greg goes into the abandoned building instead of going home to study.
Question: Does this happen before or after Greg meets Lemon Brown?
Before
"His father's voice came to him again... lecturing endlessly about his poor efforts in math."
This quote shows Greg's main conflict at the start of the story.
How does Greg feel about the lecture from his father?
Frustrated and angry.
Why did Lemon Brown's son carry the harmonica and newspaper clippings into battle?
To feel connected to his father and show he was proud of him.
Why does Lemon Brown initially threaten Greg with a razor when Greg first enters the abandoned building?
Lemon thinks Greg came to steal from him.
Something done without planning or rehearsal.
Impromptu
Put in order:
Greg doubts Lemon Brown has a real treasure.
The thugs show up looking for money/treasure.
Greg doubts the treasure,
then the thugs show up.
Why did Lemon Brown says a man’s treasure is so important to pass down to his son.
So the son knows who his father was and what he accomplished.
What context clue from the text shows that the neighborhood where Greg meets Lemon Brown is run-down?
There was an abandoned apartment building with peeling wallpaper and broken stairs.
Why do the thugs/bad men enter the abandoned building?
They wanted to steal Lemon Brown's treasure.
To begin or start something.
Commence
Put in order:
Lemon Brown gets hurt throwing himself at the robbers.
Greg makes eerie noises to scare the men away.
Greg makes eerie noises,
then Lemon hurls himself at the robbers?
What is the main theme or message of the story regarding parents and children?
Parents expect a lot and lecture their children because they love them and want them to succeed.
True or False: Lemon Brown gave Greg his treasure so Greg could take it home.
False
(Lemon Brown kept his treasure, but shared the lesson/meaning with Greg)
How does Greg and Lemon Brown successfully scare off the thugs trying to steal the treasure?
Making eerie noises and Lemon Brown throwing himself down the steps.
Done hesitantly or with uncertainty.
Tentatively
Put in order:
Lemon Brown shows Greg his harmonica and clippings.
Lemon explains how Greg reminds him of his own son, Jesse.
Lemon explains Greg reminds him of his son,
then he shows the harmonica and clippings
How does Greg's perspective change by the end of the story?
He realizes his father lectures him out of love and care, not just to be harsh.
"All I know is that I heard him talking about some kind of treasure."
What does this line prove?
That the men looking for Lemon believe he has something valuable to steal.
What is Lemon Brown's treasure?
Something done automatically without meaning to.
Involuntary
What does Greg do at the very end of the story after leaving Lemon Brown.
Heads home with a smile, ready to listen to his father's lecture.
Why was Lemon Brown's treasure valuable to him, even though it had no money value?
Because his son Jesse carried it with him in the war, showing love and respect for his father.
At the end of the story, why does Greg smile when he thinks about his father lecturing him?
He now understands his father lectures him out of love and concern for his future.