Characters
Miscellaneous Facts
Who Said it?
Themes
About the Author
100
She is the main character of this story, a writer, and a widow
Who is Joyce Carol Oates / Joyce Smith
100
Where do the Smiths live and work
What is Princeton, NJ
100
"You don't know what you're saying. You don't know the first thing about my husband and I think that I will go now."
Who is Joyce.
100
A reptile that symbolizes Joyce's loss of self-worth and grief.
What is the basilisk.
100
The state in which Joyce Carol Oates was born
What is New York
200
The main character's late husband
Who is Ray Smith
200
Ray's cardio-pulmanary arrest was caused by this infection.
What is a staph infection
200
"Honey? This is your honey calling... If you want to talk can you call? Lots of love to my honey and kitties."
Who is Ray Smith.
200
The place where Joyce wants to stay but feels desperately alone in.
What is her home.
200
Joyce's younger sister was affected by this mental illness
What is autism
300
One of Joyce's closest friends who consoles her after Ray's death and accompanied her on the "death duties"
Who is Jeanne Halpern
300
"You know you can end this at anytime. Your ridiculous trash-soul."
What is the basilisk.
300
The outlet that Joyce uses to escape from her grief.
What is her teaching.
300
Her stories were often based on these
What are real-life events
400
The talkative, annoying nurse at the hospital where Ray is staying
Who is Jasmine.
400
This illness first sent Ray to the hospital.
What is pneumonia
400
"I can't imagine how this happened."
Who is Doctor M_
400
Every time Joyce sees these she contemplates suicide.
What is sleeping pills
400
Where Oates received her undergraduate degree
What is Syracuse University
500
A family-friend who was in the hospital at the same time as Ray, but overcame his illness.
Who is Gary Mailman
500
This is the title of the literary editorial that Ray writes.
What is The Ontario Review
500
"Your husband's body will be taken down to the morgue. In the morning, you can call a funeral home to arrange to pick it up."
Who is the nurse at the nurses station in hospital.
500
This thought both terrifies and comforts Joyce.
What is suicide
500
This childhood event shocked and disturbed Oates
What is kidnapping/nearly-molested
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