Basic Facts
How long had it been raining on Venus?
7 Years
Who is the main character?
Margot
What are the children waiting for?
The sun to come out
“I think the sun is a flower…” Who said this?
Margot
Why is locking Margot in the closet so cruel?
She missed the sun coming out.
How often does the sun come out?
Every 7 years
Who is the main bully?
William
What do the children do to Margot?
Lock her in a closet
What does this quote mean: “blooms for just one hour”?
The sun doesn’t last long
How do the children feel at the end?
They realize she is still locked in the closet and they feel guilt/ashamed.
Where did Margot live before Venus?
Earth
Why is Margot different?
She remembers the sun / lived on Earth
What happens when the sun comes out?
They run, play, and enjoy it
What does Margot compare the sun to? (not the flower)
A penny and fire
Why do the children go along with William instead of stopping him?
They feel jealous, want to fit in, and don’t think about the consequences
About how long does the sun stay out?
About 2 hours
How is Margot described physically in the story?
Pale, thin, quiet, like an old photograph
Q: What is the first sign the sun is going away?
Raindrops start to fall
“The children pressed together like so many roses, so many weeds.”
Simile
What can you infer about how Margot feels when she is let out of the closet?
Hurt, betrayed, sad, possibly unable to trust the other children
Where does the story take place?
Venus
How does Margot act differently from the other children?
She doesn’t play games, stays quiet, and keeps to herself
What do the children realize at the end?
Margot is still locked in the closet.
“She was an old photograph dusted from an album.”
What does this figurative language show about Margot?
She is pale, weak, faded, and different from the others
Why does Ray Bradbury end the story with silence after Margot is let out of the closet? What message is he trying to send about the children’s actions?
Bradbury ends with silence to show the children’s guilt and regret. The message is that their bullying had serious consequences, and sometimes you realize your mistake too late to fix it.