Plot & Key Details
Why does Captain Torres visit the barber shop in Lather and Nothing Else?
He wants a shave.
In LANE, why is the narrator nervous when Captain Torres enters the barber shop?
He is secretly a revolutionary and knows Torres has been hunting revolutionaries.
What is the narrator's main internal conflict in Lather and Nothing Else?
He struggles between his desire to kill Torres and his refusal to become a murderer.
How does the point of view in Lather and Nothing Else build suspense?
It allows readers to experience the narrator's fear and conflicting thoughts as he holds the razor.
Which theme is best supported by the narrator's decision in Lather and Nothing Else?
A. Revenge is the only way to achieve justice.
B. People should always obey authority.
C. People can maintain their integrity even when they are tempted to act violently.
D. Personal success depends on defeating one's enemies.
C. People can maintain their integrity even when they are tempted to act violently.
In Lather and Nothing Else, what does Captain Torres reveal about the recent military expedition?
The soldiers captured fourteen rebel leaders, some dead and some alive.
In LANE, what does the narrator's pride in being a barber reveal about his character?
He values doing his work carefully and maintaining his professional integrity.
In LANE, what does the narrator ultimately decide to do?
Finish the shave without killing Torres because he does not want to become a murderer.
Why is the razor important to the suspense in Lather and Nothing Else?
It is both an ordinary barber's tool and a potential weapon that could kill Torres.
Which theme is best supported by Judson's actions in Ruthless?
A. Revenge and excessive anger can lead to harmful and self-destructive consequences.
B. Protecting possessions is always more important than protecting people.
C. People should never trust their neighbors.
D. Dishonesty is the best way to solve problems.
A. Revenge and excessive anger can lead to harmful and self-destructive consequences.
Why is Judson Webb preparing to leave his mountain camp in Ruthless?
He is packing his belongings to return home for the winter.
In Ruthless, what does Judson's statement, “When it comes to protecting my property I make my own laws,” reveal about him?
He is willing to ignore moral limits to protect his possessions.
What is the main conflict in Ruthless?
Judson's desire to punish a suspected thief conflicts with basic moral concerns about human life.
How does the author build suspense in Ruthless when Judson prepares the poisoned bourbon?
It creates conflict between Judson and Marcia.
How do the two stories explore the idea of revenge differently?
The barber doesn't take revenge, but Judson does.
In Ruthless, what does Judson do to the bottle of bourbon?
He adds poison to it and leaves it where a burglar might drink it.
In Ruthless, why does Marcia oppose Judson's plan?
She believes poisoning the liquor could cause someone's death and is morally wrong.
In Ruthless, how does Marcia respond when Judson refuses to change his mind about the poison?
She decides to tell Alec's wife about the dangerous plan.
What is ironic about the ending of Ruthless?
Judson drinks the whiskey that he poisoned for someone else.
Which statement best compares the main characters' attitudes toward morality?
A. Both characters believe their personal desires should always guide their actions.
B. The barber struggles to preserve his principles, while Judson believes he can make his own rules.
C. Judson carefully considers the consequences of his plan, while the barber ignores them.
D. Both characters rely on the law to make their decisions.
B. The barber struggles to preserve his principles, while Judson believes he can make his own rules.
In Ruthless, what happens after Judson falls and hits his head?
Alec helps him, and Judson drinks whiskey from a small glass.
In LANE, why does Captain Torres tell the barber that he came to find out for himself whether the barber would kill him?
He has heard that the barber might kill him and wants to test whether it is true.
What do the main characters' decisions reveal about their differences?
The barber chooses to follow his moral principles, while Judson refuses to consider moral limits when protecting his property.
How does the contrast between the peaceful setting and Judson's actions contribute to Ruthless?
It creates a contrast between the calm natural setting and Judson's cruel, dangerous plan.
What do the endings of both stories suggest about the consequences of decisions?
A. Violence always leads to immediate punishment.
B. People can avoid all consequences by keeping their actions secret.
C. Moral choices and reckless actions can have serious consequences, even when the outcomes are uncertain.
D. Revenge always brings peace and satisfaction.
C. Moral choices and reckless actions can have serious consequences, even when the outcomes are uncertain.