Characters
Symbols (mult answers)
Relationships
Plot Points
100

What does Nath want to be when he's older  

An astronaut 

100

What does the acceptance letter mean to Lydia and to Nath

To Lydia, it meant that Nath would leave, which she was upset about because for her entire life, Nath had offered Lydia consolidation. 

To Nath, the letter meant being free from his parents, particularly his father 

100

In what class does Lydia meet Jack 

Junior physics class 

100

Where does Nath get into college?

Harvard 

200

Why did James get Lydia the book for Christmas

Because as a child, he was excluded and thought that he could use the book as a child and thought it would help her, "get more out of life"

200

Why does Marilyn refuse to cook (pg 159) 

After returning, not cooking was an act of defiance against her mother's expectations for her

200

Why does Lydia become friends with Jack 

Because Nath wouldn't approve of Jack and Lydia together and she wants him to feel upset because she feels like he's leaving her.  

200
What did Lydia do to talk to Jack more

Asked him for a ride 

300

Why does Nath make so much effort to get into college 

He wanted to leave the family, especially his parents 
300

Was Hannah mentioned this chapter (and how many times)

Yes (once) 

300

When does Lydia tell her mom she's failing physics 

Right after Nath had just gotten into Harvard and their parents were congratulating him 

300

Why did James think Lydia had friends 

Because she was always on the phone with people and she used to invite people over 

400

What type of person does the author frame Jack as

A kid who doesn't really care about life and school (but also has some sympathy) 
400

What does the acceptance letter mean to Lydia, and why does she hide it? 

The letter meant that Nath would be leaving her with her parents, without anyone to sympathize with and she hid it to delay the inevitable 

400

Why didn't Nath apply to the schools of his choice 

Because his parents wouldn't approve unless he went to Harvard 

400

Why is Lydia scared to tell her mom that she's failing physics 

Lydia's scared that her mom will leave if she doesn't succeed and live the life her mom wanted for her 

500

When reading the book, Lydia sees herself as _____ instead of docile and friendly 

She sees herself as an unsociable and suspicious person braced for hostility 

500

What might Lydia smoking the cigarette mean 

An act of rebellion against her parent's image 

500

Why did Lydia reject invites to hang out with people? 

She always wanted to get back to her mother as soon as possible 

500

How do James and Marilyn treat Nath 

They tend to ignore him 

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