Plot
What background information do we learn about the narrator at the beginning of the story?
He is 10 years old, unpopular, hangus out with the 2 Allans, and is looking for four-leaf clovers.
Who is Sean Owens?
He is the most popular kid in school because of his athleticism.
What does the author include the four-leaf clovers in the story?
to show us tha some people believe in good luck
What is the main conflict of the story?
The narrator desperately wants to become popular.
Who is Mitch?
He is Sean's jester, the one who makes him laugh.
Why are the Allans looking for four-leaf clovers?
to make a wish and become popular
What type of conflict is illustrated below?
I had been resigned to my rank for many months, but now, looking at the two Allans (still arguing over the same three-leaf clover), then at the popular boys, I suddenly knew that I could not stand another day at the bottom. I wanted to be a part of the noise and the laughter; I wanted, I needed, to be popular.
Is this an internal or external conflict?
It is an internal conflict because it is within himself. He is stuggling with wanting to be accepted.
What are the two Allans?
They are two boys that are very unpopular. They hang out every day on the playground with the narrator.
Describe one conflict happening in the story.
How does the narrator change his social status or become popular?
He makes a joke about Mitch related to 'Tweety Bird.' He suddenly becomes popular.
What is a possible theme we might learn from reading this story?
Popularity can be unpredictable and short-lived.
How do the narrator and the two Allans feel about spending recess with each other?
They do not care for each other but spend time together because they are unpopular.
How is the narrator feeling about his social status or popularity in the resolution of the story?
He is pleased/happy/delighted, but at the same time worried/concerned. He knows that his popularity could change at any moment.
How does that narrator chnage from the beginning to the end of the story?
In the beginning, he is desperate to become popular. Later on, he becomes popular. But he is still aware the his social status could change at any moment.
In paragraph 30, the narrator says "As it was, the two of us were on a collision course that only one of us would survive." What does the narrator mean when he says only one would "survive"?
Only one would end up being popular