The Best We Could Do
What does Thi learn after giving birth?
To be more understanding of her own mother
What does Coates think about the idea of race?
It is an invention people have used to dominate people
How does Nick know Tom and Daisy?
Daisy is his cousin, and he went to college with Tom
What does the green light most likely represent?
Hope and dreams
What are the five senses?
Taste, Touch, Sight, Hearing, Smell
What was Thi's childhood like?
Her mother worked. Her father stayed home and was abusive
Who are some of the biggest influences on Coates?
James Baldwin, Malcolm X, Richard Wright
What happens at the dinner party that makes it awkward?
Tom gets a call from the woman he is cheating with
What does Nick think about Tom in the beginning of the book?
That he is an arrogant, obnoxious racist
How do Thi's mother's births go?
Two of her babies die
Why was the brown folder important?
It had Thi's important documents like a green card
Why is the "body" an important idea to Coates?
It represents the person completely, so if you destroy the body, you destroy the person
When does Nick first see Gatsby?
On the dock looking at the green light/Daisy's house
How does Nick first meet Gatsby?
He thought he was talking to a stranger at Gatsby's party
How does Myrtle's death destroy 3 characters' dreams?
Gatsby loses Daisy, Tom loses Myrtle, Daisy is a murderer, etc.
How did Ma and Bo meet?
They met at college to become teachers
Who does Coates interview at the end of his book?
Prince Jones's mother
Who attends Gatsby's funeral?
Nick, Mr. Gatz, Owl Eyes
How is emotion shown in the reunion between Gatsby and Daisy?
The storm, the flowers/cakes, running away
What is the "Dream" Coates talks about?
That people believe that race is real and that most people want safety, not justice
Why did Ma and Bo get married?
Ma thought Bo was going to die
What 3 examples does Coates use to show that racism is still happening?
Woman pushing his son, 9/11, how the Civil War is taught, Prince Jones's death
Why does Myrtle run out into the road?
She thinks the car is Tom's because he was driving it earlier
How is tension built in the chapter where Gatsby and Tom argue about Daisy?
It is a very hot day, Gatsby and Daisy drive together in Tom's car, Mr. Wilson saying he is leaving
Combine these sentences with a participial phrase: The courthouse was blown over by the tornado. The townspeople rebuilt it.
Blown over by the tornado, the courthouse was rebuilt by the townspeople.