Chapter 10
How does Conrad feel when he overhears Stillman’s comment about him being a “flake” in the locker room?
Hurt, rejected, and seperated
What grade did he get on his trig quiz
A
Who did Conrad run into on his walk back home
Jeannine
"In the hospital the seed would grow and begin to produce thick shiny leaves with fibrous veins running through them. More leaves to come. Like tiny, curled up fists they will hit him."
Simile + Imagery
After Conrad announces that he is quitting the swim team, what does Coach Salan say about his decision?
disappointment and warns that once Conrad quits, he cannot return to the team.
What was the name of the woman whom Ray cheated with?
Lynn
What does Conrad drink with the girl he runs into?
Coke
What literary device is this: "he tightens his grip on the arms of the chair. The wood is sticky and wet under his hands. He wets his lips nervously."
Imagery
Who is Stillman, and what is his significance in the story
He's antagonistic and mocks Conrad
Who does Calvin have lunch with on his break in Chapter 11, and what do they discuss?
Carole, Lazenby's mother, and they discuss how their sons no longer see much of each other, leading them to plan a family meal.
In Chapter 12, why does Lazenby get upset with Conrad?
Lazenby gets upset because Conrad distances himself from their friendship and quits the swim team.
When Calvin reflects on his relationship with Beth, often considering their past, he frequently compares what they once were and what they have become. What literary device is this?
Juxtaposition
How does Conrad’s coping mechanism of masturbation to fall asleep reflect his overall mental state in Chapter 10?
Need for temporary relief from his emotional pain and struggles to have healthy coping mechanisms.
What does Calvin think about his family dynamic after hearing about Ray’s affair and his conversation with Ray’s wife?
Calvin’s family is grounded in reality by confronting their emotional struggles and imperfections honestly.
How does Conrad describe his mother to Berger?
"A very private person"
Foreshadowing and flashback from chapter 9 from when he last took his math test and when he was depressed.
After Conrad quits the team, what is his emotional state as he goes to his room?
Reflection and emotional exhaustion
How does Calvin’s relationship with Beth differ from his relationship with his son, Conrad?
Calvin has a closer, more emotionally supportive relationship with Conrad, while with Beth, he feels increasingly disconnected.
What does the conflict between Conrad and Lazenby in Chapter 12 suggest about Conrad's state of mind and why?
Emotional turmoil and difficulty maintaining relationships due to his grief and mental struggles after Buck's death
The use of nature, such as Conrad's memories of skiing or moments in therapy, conveys his internal emotional landscape. What literary device is this?
Symbolism
+100 if able to point out in the context of using nature