Show:
Setting
Characterization
Action
Style
Themes and Motifs
100
Why does the mother and son go to England?
To have the baby in a better hospital.
100
How is the family first described on the airplane?
What is The mother and son are described as beautiful with "round brows", "nostrils and earlobes (that) appeared translucent" and "skin lips and eyes had the coloring of portraits of stained glass." (136). The baby is described as having "fine black hair" and dark eyes (135). It is said that it is "the presence of someone absent; and yet so intensely theirs." (136).
100
What is the roaming microphone technique?
When the narration shifts throughout the story.
200
When does the boy realize that his parents are having problems?
What is When they are silent at dinner and no longer speak in "cat-language" (137).
200
When does the boy first notice his parents are having problems?
When they don't use cat noises at dinner.
300
Why wasn't the father around much during the pregnancy and what conclusion has he come to about the baby and his family?
What is He didn't want to see the baby growing in her because it was made in anger. He has ended the affair and wants to be part of his family again.
300
What is the significance of the father's section being 3rd person omniscient while the other two are first person?
Shows how he is an outsider, even the old lady is more involved.
300
Throughout the book many characters take their own journeys. Name three characters and describe their journey.
Boy: growing up Mother: Literal - going to England to have the baby Father: Starts as unfaithful but through the pregnancy wants to become a part of the family again.
400
What do we learn about the country the family lives in by the first narrator?
The country has political turmoil. It isn't a safe area.
400
What could the first narrator be used to show?
Could be Gordimer, the whole story could be a figment of her imagination.
400
Name two jobs the boy does for his mother on the plane?
Getting water Throwing away the baby's napkins Getting the coats Packing the baby's stuff
400
What does the repetition of beautiful demonstrate in the story?
The disconnect between the father and the son and the connection between the mother and son.
400
How does the boy's shift in perception of the kitchen symbolize his growing up?
He no longer feels comfortable in the places he use to.
500
What is the significance of the swimming pool vs the sea for spear fishing?
The swimming pool is a symbol of the boy's childhood that he enjoys while the sea is a place where his father tries to make him into someone he doesn't want to be.
500
Why does the father stop after seeing the son?
What is The father sees the son and he looks grown up, like the man of the house, like it's his wife and baby.
500
What is the significance of the boys only being allowed to have pet cats?
Cats are allowed because they can take care of themselves if the family moves and they are left behind. When the boy leaves home he is able to take care of himself.