Religion
Characters
Animal Symbolism
General Questions
Symbolism/Descriptions
100
What does Harry mean when he says "I count?"
He counts as one of the Christian elect/baptized. Also recognized as being an individual of worth after baptized, which may be a commentary on the worth of the individual without God.
100
Who picks up "Bevel from his parents?
Mrs. Connin
100
When O'Connor describes Harry.....He says he seemed mute and patient, like an -------- waiting to be let out.
Old sheep
100
As the story begins, Harry’s mother stays in bed suffering from what ailment?
A hangover
100
Jesus Christ was a prominent religious symbol that Harry becomes more familiar with due to his babysitter, Ms. Connin. Why was Harry surprised to hear that the name of the “carpenter who made him” was “Jesus Christ”?
Because of the negative way his parents used to curse the name (JESUS CHRIST!) . He had previously only heard it used negatively.
200
What is valuable about the book? (need two kinds of value)
The book is valuable in that it has perceived religious value to Mrs. Connin and economic value to George.
200
What is "Bevel's" real name?
Harry
200
Why was Harry so shocked to see what "real" pigs looked like?
He had only seen the ones in books that were small fat pink animals with curly tails
200
Who drowns and what were they trying to do?
Harry -- baptize himself
200
O’Connor makes symbolic references to nature in many of her stories, and The River is no exception. Besides (duh) the river, what are two other natural elements O’Connor references symbolically in the story?
The sun (the Christian Faith) and the sky (openness to faith)
300
What is the mother affliction?
His mother is afflicted with a hangover, or that she suffers from a lack of faith shown in her reaction to Harry's baptism.
300
What laughs at "Bevel" when he says his mother suffers from hangovers?
Mr. Paradise
300
While walking to the river, Mrs. Connins and her children are described as the ------- of an old boat with two pointed ends, sailing slowly on the edge of the highway.
Skeleton
300
What kind of animal does Harry accidentally let loose and why does this happen?
A pig -- the other kids told him he could get a better look
300
Ms. Connin is compared to a skeleton three times in the story, what are the implications or possible purpose of this (these) description(s)?
This description could imply that she is naked before God, ready to be saved and open to Grace OR It could be interpreted as a foreshadowing of Harry's death at the end of the story, brought on by her suggestion of Grace.
400
What does the river represent according to the preacher?
Description found pg. 36-37
400
What does "Bevel" give himself the name Bevel after?
Bevel the preacher
400
During the scene in which Harry is beaten up by some strange boys in the park, O'Connor describes him as pale but ------.
Dogged
400
How do Harry and Mrs. Connin get back to the farm?
A trolley
400
The symbol of the sun is used to represent what in the story?
The Christian faith: its reflection is "set like a diamond" in the river where Harry is baptized. The personification of the sun enforces the idea that hope and faith overcome the darkness of sin and lack of faith.
500
**BONUS** Bevel, in both forms, rejects the mundane for the sacred, putting a much greater weight on the divine in their actions and decisions. How do both individuals show this?
In the child, we see this through his action to die in the river. The preacher states this when he claims that people won't be healed unless the truly believe in Jesus.
500
Who tries to save Harry from drowning himself?
Mr. Paradise
500
When Harry was drowning "he heard a shout and turned his head and saw something like a giant pig bounding after him, shaking a red and white club and shouting." Given what we know about O'connor's use of religion in her writing. What is the significance of O'Connor describing Mr. Paradise as a giant pig?
Mr. Paradise's loss in God; he is as far away from grace as the pigs that left Mrs. Connin's the previous day.
500
Why does Harry claim that his name is Bevel?
He wants affection and attention from Mrs. Connin
500
It is easy to interpret Bevel's (Harry’s) death as suicide, committed because he was not loved. But, knowing how strongly O'Connor felt towards her faith and how much she alluded to it in her writing, what could have been a different reason she chose this fate for Bevel (Harry)?
From O'Connor's point of view, Bevel looked around him and saw the tawdriness of life in the physical world compared to life in Christ. With the innocence of a child, he left his earthly parents to join the Father who welcomed him with open arms.
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