Characters&Details
What is the setting of the story? (time and place)
Oklahoma, the USA, in the 1960s.
Where do Bryon and Mark first meet Cathy?
At the hospital while visiting Bryon’s mom.
Who said, "That was then, this is now"?
Bryon.
What game do Bryon and Mark use to hustle money?
Pool.
What does M&M symbolize at the beginning of the story?
Innocence.
What is the name of the girl Bryon falls in love with?
Cathy.
Why does Cathy dislike Mark?
She thinks he is a bad influence and doesn’t trust him.
Who said, "You can't just change and then expect everybody else to change with you."
Mark.
How does the novel show the theme of loyalty vs. betrayal?
Bryon struggles between loyalty to Mark and doing what is right.
What object is used to hurt Mark when he gets into a fight, and what does this show about the violence in the novel?
A broken bottle – It highlights how violence escalates in their world and how dangerous their environment is.
Who is M&M, and why is he called that?
A younger, hippie boy who loves M&M candies.
Why does M&M run away from home?
He feels misunderstood by his strict father.
Why does Mark say, "We were like brothers."?
He feels betrayed when Bryon turns him in.
What role does violence play in the novel?
The characters live in a world where gang fights, crime, and illegal activities are common.
Why is the title That Was Then, This Is Now important?
It represents how things change over time.
What does Charlie do for Bryon and Mark?
He protects them and lets them hang out at his bar.
What happens to M&M at the hippie house?
He has a bad drug trip and is traumatized.
Who says, "Nothing bad happens to you when you're a kid. Or if it does, you forget it."?
Charlie.
How does drug use impact the characters?
M&M’s drug trip changes him, and Mark’s dealing causes conflict.
What does Charlie’s death symbolize for Bryon?
A turning point, the loss of childhood innocence and the realization that actions have consequences.
Why does Bryon feel guilty after Charlie’s death?
Charlie was killed while protecting Bryon and Mark during a fight.
What happens to Bryon and Cathy’s relationship by the end of the novel?
Bryon breaks up with her after becoming emotionally distant.
What does Bryon mean when he says, "I was changing and Mark wasn’t."?
Bryon is growing up, but Mark is stuck in the past.
Mention 4 themes present in the novel.
What object does M&M wear around his neck, and what does it symbolize?
A peace medallion – It represents his idealism and connection to the hippie movement.