Ordeal by Cheque
What is the inciting event that gets the story going?
The birth of Lawrence Exeter, Jr.
Name the two characters. (First names is enough. Pronunciation counts.)
Ulrich (UHL-rick) and Georg (GAY-org)
What is the setting of the story?
On a river, mostly at night, under the starts, when the narrator is 14, and the object of his affection is 17. It is summertime in New England.
Name two of the three interests of the narrator
Fishing
Swimming
Diving
Think-Link
Sofa--Grump
Couch--Grouch
What college does Jr. start but not finish?
Stanford
The Point of View of the story is...
Third Person Omniscient Narrator
Who is the protagonist in the story?
The Narrator
"Forest thief" and "game-snatcher" are examples of...
Epithets
Think-Link
Insect--Carpet
Bug--Rug
What is the amount of the last check Jr. writes?
$25
to Peter Ventizzi
What does the wine flask symbolize?
Peace, amnesty, compassion, friendship, epiphany, the end of the feud
What kind of car does Sheila ride home from the dance in?
"Good," snarled Georg, "good. We fight this quarrel out to the death..." By his use of "snarled," the author is creating a ____ or, in other words, "an overall feeling or effect."
Tone
Thinkit-Linkit
Union--Buggy
Marriage--Carriage
Explain the two checks written to Dr. David M. McCoy.
Both written by Sr., on the occasions of the birth and death of Jr.
When the author speaks about the mountainous woods being disturbed, with all the animals out and running around, a storm up in the sky, and wind whipping around, he is setting...
Mood
The inciting moment of this story takes place when...
The narrator hooks the fish while Sheila is in the boat. --or-- The narrator asks Sheila out on a date. (?)
Who has an epiphany in The Interlopers, and what is it about?
Ulrich, and he decides that there is no need to be enemies, that the land is not worth it, that life is too short, and that he wants to ease the suffering, as much as he can, of the guy next to him.
Thinkit--Linkit
Twice--In hot water
Double--Trouble
Explain the title of the story.
Through a series of checks, organized by date, the story exposes the ordeal that is Lawrence Exeter, Jr.'s life. From the very beginning, there seemed to be trouble, and no matter how much Sr. spent, the story ends in Jr.'s demise.
The story is titled Interlopers because...
Georg uses the name twice to explain how nothing could end their new friendship, but then "interlopers" do come and end it and prevent the feud from ending. Happy ending? Nope.
BONUS: $100:
Name the literary device employed through Georg's uses of the word, two times.
Explain the metaphor of "the tug."
The tug is both the pull on his fishing line and the attraction the narrator feels for Sheila Mant. Each tug holds sway over the narrator, and in the end, he must choose.
Explain the paradox of the feud at the end of The Interlopers.
The feud ends between Ulrich & Georg, but because they will be kille by the Interlopers, nobody will know, and the feud will continue. Opposites exist in one; the feud is both over and ongoing at the same time.
Thinkit-Linkit
drink--snuggle
Guzzle--Nuzzle