Vocab
Define Manicured
Trimmed and Polished
Give 2 character traits that fit the Willie we see in the beginning of the story with evidence.
Curious- wants to know why the old man is so unhappy
Disrespectful- does not listen to his mom when she tells him not to look
What happened to the MC's family?
Dad lost his job, could not get another, started drinking and sitting in dark rooms, argued with mom, and then left.
What does Willie learn about in school?
Fish who live in dark caves that have acclimated to not being able to see.
Define Intently
With close attention
absorbed in thought
Give 2 character traits of the mom with evidence.
Shallow- does not look beneath the surface. Accepts things at face value.
Clean/Orderly- keeps the apartment and Willie clean.
Why does the mom think the man is "sick"
Because he looks unkempt, is homeless, and she can see the similarities of his unhappiness to hers.
What happens to the homeless man at the end of the story and why?
Mom calls the cops on him because she felt he was a nuisance and was pestering Willie/kids.
6 months
Define Vaguely
With Uncertainty
What grade is Willie in?
Grade 6.
How many jobs does Mom work and where?
2 night shifts at the local convenience store
What does the conversation between Willie and his teacher show about Willie?
It shows Willie is inquisitive and intelligent. The inability of Willie's teacher to answer his questions shows that Willie often asks complex questions that are difficult to answer.
What day does the story begin?
Monday
Define Threshold
Piece of wood or stone beneath a door; doorway
How does Mrs. Markham cut Willie a piece of cake, and why does she do this?
"It's on the box, so you can believe what it says. Scientists study people, then write these things"
You can trust what you need if it comes from a source of authority
What is the cure for unhappiness?
What a person needs is always more than they say.
Blindness to what is really going on. Blindness to happiness and compassion for others. Inability to see beneath the surface level and find the deeper meaning.
What is Willie's last name?
Define Contemplative
Think about
William, because the man helped him see that was his "grown up name" and it classifies him as more of an independent individual.
Explain this quote
"Maybe you can't buy happiness, but you can sure rent a lot of it"
Money can provide temporary happiness, but it will not be long term.
After ignoring others' suffering for so long, people eventually stop seeing it.
What color was the crate the old man sat on?
Red