Character Analysis
This is the main character in the story who tries to impress the girl in French class.
Who is Victor?
"Great rosebushes of red bloomed on Victor's cheeks" is an example of this literary device.
What is a metaphor?
According to the text, what class did both Victor and Teresa have together?
What is French?
In paragraph 7, "populace" most closely means this.
What is "people" or "citizens"?
One central idea in this story is that people sometimes do this to impress others.
What is pretend or lie?
This character shows kindness by not exposing Victor's lie about knowing French.
Who is Mr. Bueller?
The author uses this literary technique when he writes "a river of nervous sweat ran down his palms."
What is imagery?
This quote shows Victor's extreme embarrassment during the French class incident
What is "He bit his thumb until he tore off a sliver of skin"?
When Victor looked "sheepishly" at the teacher, it means he felt this way.
What is embarrassed or ashamed?
The story suggests this about being true to yourself versus trying to impress others.
What is honesty is better than pretending?
Based on the text, what motivates Victor's actions throughout the story?
What is his crush on Teresa?
The statement "The rosebushes of shame on his face became bouquets of love" demonstrates this literary device.
What is symbolism?
Find the evidence that shows Teresa was impressed by Victor despite his fake French.
What is "I didn't know you knew French. That was good."?
When the author writes that "Mr. Bueller beamed," it means the teacher did this
What is smiled broadly or showed happiness?
Victor's experience teaches readers about this important aspect of growing up.
What is facing embarrassment or learning from mistakes?
What does Victor's decision to check out three French textbooks reveal about his character?
What is determination or persistence?
This literary device is used when the author reveals Mr. Bueller's college memories about dating a girlfriend in borrowed cars
What is flashback?
This quote reveals Victor silently pleading with Mr. Bueller not to expose his lie.
What is "Oh please, don't say anything, Victor pleaded with his eyes. I'll wash your car, mow your lawn, walk your dog—anything!"?
In the context of paragraph 11, "bluff his way out" means Victor tried to do this.
What is fake it or pretend he knew French?
The relationship between Victor and Mr. Bueller reveals this theme.
What is compassion or understanding from adults helps adolescents?
How does Victor's character change from the beginning to the end of the passage?
What is from embarrassed and ashamed to hopeful and motivated?
Identify the mood created at the beginning of the passage: "The small, triangle-shaped campus bustled with students talking about their new classes. Everyone was in a sunny mood."
What is optimistic or hopeful?
Find the direct quote that demonstrates Victor's positive outlook at the end of the story.
What is "He was going to like seventh grade."?
The phrase "a river of nervous sweat ran down his palms" is used to emphasize this about Victor's emotional state.
What is extreme anxiety or nervousness?
The conclusion of the story, with Victor checking out French textbooks, supports this theme.
What is determination to improve oneself after failure?