Character Clues
This is the student who remains in Mrs. Baker’s classroom on Wednesday afternoons.
Holling Hoodhood
This is what Holling learns about his Wednesday afternoon schedule.
He has to stay with Mrs. Baker
This is the school where much of the chapter’s action takes place.
Camillo Junior High School
Holling's Wednesday afternoon problem.
Staying with Mrs. Baker alone
This is the point of view used to show Holling’s fears and thoughts.
first person using words like I, me, and my
This is the teacher Holling believes hates him.
Mrs. Baker
This belief develops in Holling after he observes Mrs. Baker’s stern manner and limited interaction with him.
Mrs. Baker hates him
This is the general time period of the chapter.
1967-68 school year
This internal conflict makes Holling feel trapped.
He is in his own head, it is his fear of Mrs. Baker that is getting to him.
Readers can infer that this may not be true, even though Holling believes it.
Mrs. Baker hates Holling
This student is known at school as a troublemaker and bully.
Doug Swieteck
This is what Holling feels about having to stay with Mrs. Baker alone.
Nervous, anxious
This is the location of the story
Long Island, NY
This is what he tries to do to get out of Mrs. Baker's class.
Tries to get his parents and sister to take his side
This is one reason Holling may misunderstand Mrs. Baker’s serious behavior.
He feels alone, nervous, and uncomfortable
This is why Holling feels different from the other students on Wednesday afternoons.
He is Presbyterian, not Catholic or Jewish
This is the main situation Holling must face throughout the chapter.
Holling has to stay with Mrs. Baker every Wednesday afternoon while everyone else goes to religious classes.
This classroom setting affects Holling by making him feel isolated because he remains there after the other students leave.
Mrs. Baker's classroom on Wednesday afternoons
This answer best describes the overall type of conflict Holling experiences.
Internal, his own thoughts and fears, and external because it involves Mrs. Baker
This distinction explains why Holling’s belief should not automatically be treated as fact.
It is what he believes, but he hasn't been able to prove it
This character trait best describes Holling when he worries about Mrs. Baker’s opinion of him, and it is supported by his search for someone who will understand his situation.
Anxious or insecure
This plot development reveals that Holling’s first interpretation of events may not be completely reliable.
His own fear is causing him to misunderstand Mrs. Baker's seriousness
This is going on during this time in history.
Vietnam War
He feels alone because
Dad told him to be good, mom ignored him, and his sister made fun of him
This inference best explains Mrs. Baker’s behavior and Holling’s response to it.
Mrs. Baker is strict and takes her job seriously, but he sees it as her being hateful