Characters of "Ruthless"
Who is the possessive protagonist of "Ruthless" who believes in making his own laws to protect his property?
Who is Judson Webb?
In the opening lines of the poem, what happens to the speaker's wrath when they express their anger to their friend?
What is Their wrath ends / goes away?
What specific type of liquor does Judson drop poison into?
What is A bottle of Bourbon / whiskey?
What extended metaphor is used throughout "A Poison Tree" to represent growing hatred?
What is tending and growing a plant/tree that produces poisonous fruit?
Which text contains the line: *"I was angry with my friend; / I told my wrath, my wrath did end."*?
What is "A Poison Tree"?
What is the name of Judson's wife who begs him not to poison the whiskey, calling his plan "murder"
Who is Marcia?
In Stanza 2, what two emotions or actions does the speaker use to "water" their growing anger night and morning?
What are Fears and tears?
What natural object causes Judson to slip, hit his head, and lose consciousness outside on the porch?
What is an acorn (dropped by a chipmunk?
What type of irony occurs at the end of "Ruthless" because the audience knows the whiskey is poisoned, but Alec does not?
A) Dramatic irony
B) Irony
C) Situational irony
What is dramatic irony?
"When it comes to protecting my property I make my own laws."*?
Who is Judson Webb (in "Ruthless") ?
Who is the local caretaker living a mile down the road who unknowingly hands Judson the poisoned whiskey at the end of the story?
Who is Alec?
What bright, attractive object does the speaker's growing anger produce in Stanza 3?
What is an "apple bright"?
How many white poison pellets does Judson drop into the whiskey bottle?
What is Two?
What type of irony occurs when Judson sets a lethal trap for a burglar but ends up being the victim who drinks the poison?
A) Dramatic irony
B) Irony
C) Situational irony
What is C) situational irony
Which poem features the lines: *"And it grew both day and night. / Till it bore an apple bright."*?
What is "A Poison Tree"
What specific item does Judson refuse to let anyone—even his wife—have access to because of his deep possessiveness?
What is the key to his special pine closet (where he keeps his guns, tackle, and liquor)?
According to Stanza 2, how does the speaker "sun" their hidden wrath toward their foe?
What is with smiles and soft deceitful wiles
Where does the foe lie at the end of "A Poison Tree" after sneaking into the garden?
What is Outstretched (dead) beneath the poison tree?
In "A Poison Tree," what does the "apple bright" symbolize?
What is The tempting but deadly fruit of harbored anger and secret revenge?
Who says: *"Don't do it, Judson... It's horrible — it's murder."?
Who is Marcia?
What comparison does the narrator make regarding Judson's tone of voice when he speaks about outsmarting the thief?
What is "The tone he uses when planning to "put something over" in a business deal?
What time of day does the foe sneak into the speaker's garden, and what is the speaker's reaction the next morning?
What is..The foe sneaks in at night ("when the night had veild the pole"), and in the morning, the speaker is glad to see the foe outstretched beneath the tree?
Why does Judson leave the pine closet door unlocked right before he walks outside and falls?
What is He remembered his heavy hunting boots were drying outside on the porch and went to fetch them?
How does Judson's description of the poison as "bottled vengeance" serve as foreshadowing?
A) His revenge was forshadowed.
B) His vengeful trap literally came from a bottle, turning his vengeance on him.
C) His revenge did not happen because he forgave.
What is... B) His vengeful trap literally came from a bottle, turning his vengeance on him.
Who speaks the final words of "Ruthless": *"‘Twarn’t much of a fall, Mr. Webb. You aren’t cut none; jest knocked out for a minute. Here, take this; it’ll pull you together."*?
Who is Alec (the caretaker)