Chapter
What does the word 'wince' mean? (7.19)
a slight grimace or shrinking movement caused by pain or distress
What does the word 'conniption' mean? (7.6)
a fit of rage or hysterics
What does the word 'gravelly' mean? (7.10)
(of a voice) deep and rough-sounding
What does the word 'reverently' mean? (7.17)
in a way that shows great respect and admiration
What does the word 'inverted' mean? (7.14)
placed or lying upside down or in the opposite position
How did Jimmy feel when his mother smiled? (7.3)
He thought happy thoughts imagining her smile.
What was Jimmy wondering about as he lay on the bed in Chicago? (7.1)
How far from home he was
How does Jimmy express his worry about Crab's well-being? (7.20
Jimmy expresses his worry by saying a quick prayer and hoping Crab will be alright.
Why did Crab give Billy Davis his old piece of horn? (7.21)
Because Jimmy’s mother told him to
What does the word 'aggravated' mean? (7.23)
made more serious by attendant circumstances (such as frame of mind)
Why did Crab refuse to see a doctor despite feeling unwell? Will he? (7.18)
Crab believed that rest would help him feel better. No, something is wrong with his kidney.
Why did Jimmy decide to return to the rooming house? (7.8)
Jimmy decided to return to the rooming house because Mama Jean would be upset if she knew he was walking alone in the streets of Chicago.
Why did the woman's voice stop Jimmy from passing the house?(7.9)
The woman's voice stopped Jimmy because she told him he had a phone call.
What were some of the good thoughts Jimmy had about his mother? (7.2)
Think of things that Mama Jean told him that she enjoyed: ice skating or singing in the choir.
How does the friendliness of people in Chicago compare to that of New York? (7.7)
The people in Chicago were friendlier than those in New York.
The voice of Billy Davis is speaking, and the urgent message is that Jimmy's father is sick and needs him to come to Vernon's.
Wanted to see if he was like him
What kind gesture did Mama Jean do for Jimmy? Why was it kind not to call attention to it? (7.5)
Mama Jean noticed Jimmy looking at the picture of Crab and put it on his bed so he could have it.
How did Jimmy feel about people who drank a lot or took dope? (7.12)
Jimmy felt scared by people who drank a lot or took dope, considering them to be like unreal people.
What is the Crab’s impression of Billy Davis' musical performance based on the text? (7.16)
Crab's impression of Billy Davis' musical performance is that he is incredibly talented and plays with great skill and passion.
How does Crab describe the role he and Vernon played in helping Billy Davis learn to play? (7.22)
Crab describes that he showed Billy Davis some, Vernon showed him a little, and the rest Billy picked up on his own.
What did the character know in his heart about his decision? (7.24)
He wished he could return to Mama Jean, but he knew he would be going to Arkansas with Crab.
In what ways does Mama Jean's manner of telling the narrator what to do dier from Crab's approach? (7.25)
Mama Jean would tell him to do things in a gentle manner, almost as if asking, whereas Crab is more direct in his instructions.