Characters
Who is the protagonist of the novel Maniac Magee?
Jeffrey Lionel "Maniac" Magee
What event happens that cause Maniac to live with his aunt and uncle?
His parents die in a train accident.
Who convinces Maniac to untie Cobble's Knot?
Amanda Beale
A struggle that takes place inside a character’s mind, often involving emotions, fears, or decisions.
Internal conflict
What is a symbol for escape, freedom, and avoidance?
Running
Which tragic life event happens to Jeffrey that forces him to live with his Aunt Dot and Uncle Dan?
His parents die in a train accident.
What event first causes Amanda Beale to invite Maniac to her house?
Mars Bar rips her book, and Maniac tells her he can fix it.
Why does Maniac agree to untie Cobble's Knot?
Amanda convinces him that untying the knot will make people in the town more welcoming towards him.
Maniac’s internal conflict about staying in the Beales’ house centers on this feeling.
The fear of causing trouble
What is a symbol of danger, fear, and past trauma?
The train trestle
What is the first action that Amamnda Beale does to show she cares about Jeffrey?
She lends him a book from her suitcase.
What event causes Maniac to run away from the Beales's house for the first time?
An East Ender tells Maniac to "Go home, Whitey," and then 'Fishbelly' is written on their home.
What does Maniac do immediately after Grayson dies?
He sleeps next to him for the night, then he goes and tells the superintendent of the zoo.
In what moment does Maniac experience the internal conflict of fear and second-guessing himself.
This theme is shown when Maniac and Mars Bar form a friendship despite the racial division in Two Mills.
When you accept people for who they are, it is easier to overcome differences.
Name at least one thing that Maniac does to help care for (or distract) Hester and Lester Beale.
-read to them
-bathed with them
-watched TV with them
-played with them
-taught them things
-untied their sneaker knots
In what ways does Grayson show he cares for Maniac? Name at least two.
Let's him stay in the band shell, let's him shower at the Y, buys him new clothes, buys him Krimpets and other meals, allows him to work with him at the zoo, teaches him pitches, gifts him his glove for Christmas
Why does Maniac conintually run away from places and people that help him?
He doesn’t believe he truly belongs anywhere and is afraid of becoming attached and then losing people again.
East Enders telling Maniac to go home, or retaliating by destroying things is an example of what kind of conflict?
External conflict
This theme is shown when Maniac finally feels accepted in the Beale household afterAmanda and Mars Bar get him from the zoo.
When you let your fear and insecurity overcome you, you're pushing away people who accept and care for you.
Mars Bar’s relationship with Maniac helps challenge this larger issue in Two Mills.
racism, segregation
Mars Bar goes from a bully at the beginning of the novel, to a friend of Maniac's at the end. Which event causes this change in their relationship?
Mars Bar rescuing the McNab boys when Maniac freezes and leaves
What does Mars Bar do to show that he is socially responsible?
He rescues Piper and Russell McNab from the trestle.
Name two events that highlight the external conflict of racial division.
-East Ender telling Maniac to, "Go home, Whitey."
-Someone writing 'Fishbelly' on the Beale home.
-George McNab building fortresses to prepare for an attack from East Enders.
-The town of Two Mills being informally segregated.
Standing up to bullies, crossing dangerous areas, and helping others all demonstrate this recurring TOPIC in the novel.
Courage