Quotes
Questions
Characters
Vocabulary
Wild Card
100
To whom does Abra ask, "is it true that you go out late at night and even go--to--bad houses?"
Cal
100
Why does Joe not tell Kate that Ethel is dead?
Ethel had been blackmailing Kate. Joe withheld the information that Ethel was dead in order to maintain the upper hand over Kate.
100
Describe the following character in depth: Cal
Cal is a revealing character in this situation, as he struggles to deal with the idea of Timshel. He is a good-hearted but misguided character, as seen when he tries to earn money to give to his father, while cheating farmers in the process. Throughout this book Cal struggles with overcoming sin, and in this section he succumbs to sin, despite the good intentions he started out with. Cal’s conversation with Will Hamilton (pages 557-563 ibook) shows that he understands he is not perfect, and that he is trying to be more like his brother, but also that he is still tempted by sin.
100
Pompadour Conan O'Brien is the sexiest example of a man with a pompadour.
An arrangement of a man's hair in which it is brushed up high from the forehead. Memory technique: Pompous people tend to have nice hair
100
What food does Abra's father hate?
Turnips
200
"I never saw anybody get mixed up in other people's business the way I do." Who says this?
Lee
200
Why does Adam feel guilty sending young men to war?
Having been to war himself, Adam does not want to be responsible for the death or damage of young men.
200
Describe the following character in detail: Aron
2) Aron- Aron is another intriguing character, but for different reasons than Cal; he does not struggle with sin, but instead he turns his back on reality. Aron’s outburst (page 555 ibook) about wanting to leave town shows that he would rather avoid his family’s problems than confront them. He also appears distant when he neglects to tell Adam that he passed his examinations, (page 572 ibook) again suggesting that he is avoiding things in life that make him uncomfortable. While Aron does not have a problem dealing with sin, he avoids leading a realistic life, he instead hopes that avoiding issues with his life will make these issues disappear.
200
Voluptuous Any man looks voluptuous in a tuxedo.
The quality of being attractive and exciting Memory technique: Tuxedos
200
What kind of pain is troubling Kate?
Arthritis pain
300
“I want to get out of this town. I don’t ever want to come back. They still call us Lettuce-heads. They laugh at us.” – Aron What is the significance of this quote?
This quote demonstrates how Aron lives in a idealized world devoid of problems and adversity, he wishes to ignore problems and issues rather than confront and solve them.
300
Why does Aron want to go to college a year early?
He is embarrassed by his father's failed lettuce business and desperately wants to redeem his family's reputation.
300
Why does Cal consider himself "not good"?
This admission by Cal, as well as his entire conversation with Will Hamilton represents all of Cal’s struggles with Timshel, the choice of whether or not to overcome sin. In this instance, like others, Cal has good motives, trying to help his father, but he strays away from these motives and instead proves sinful as he cheats honest farmers looking to make a living. This quote does leave the possibility for growth; however, as Cal realizes that he has done bad things and hopes to make up for them.
300
Abject When I forgot my lines on stage, I found myself in an abject pit of despair.
Utterly hopeless, miserable, humiliating, or wretched Memory technique: Sounds like the word "reject" which is a miserable, humiliating idea
300
What does Lee say he has a hunger for after he and Ada pass Reynaud's Bakery?
"I have a hunger for some garlic bread," Lee said. (pg 522)
400
“Timshel- thou mayest.” – Lee What is the significance of this quote?
Timshel is the crux of the story for several characters, as there is an ongoing struggle by some, mostly Cal, to recognize and make the choice to overcome sin. This conversation between Lee and Adam refers to Adam’s conflict about sending boys to war, and whether or not their death is his fault, but it also reintroduces that life is a set of choices, and it is up to oneself to make the correct choice.
400
Why does Aron not tell Adam that he finished high school early?
Aron first says that his father wouldn’t understand, and then he breaks down in front of Lee, saying, “I don’t belong here. I wish we hadn’t ever come here. I don’t know what’s the matter with me. I want to go away.” This again appears to be a situation where Aron refuses to confront reality.
400
True or false? Aron believes that avoiding issues will make those issues disappear.
True
400
Foppish Daniel's rainbow unicorn muscle shirt is a bit too foppish for my taste.
Resembling or befitting someone who is extremely vain. Memory technique: What does the "fop" say? Vain-vain-vain-va-vain-va-vain
400
What do Cal and Will export?
They export beans.
500
What is the name of the poolroom Joe visits while looking for Ethel?
Hal's Poolroom
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