Plot Events
This is where the Bass family go to seek shelter from the hurricane.
What is the schoolroom (or school)?
This is why Gustus feels his father doesn't understand him.
What is he's the only one without shoes / he has to work all the time / he can't play cricket?
A storm described as "tempestuous" would be this kind of weather.
What is violent, turbulent, or stormy?
This is what Gustus used to support his banana tree.
What is a prop?
This word BEST describes Gustus's attitude toward the storm.
What is determined?
This is what Gustus plans to do with the money from selling his bananas.
What is buy shoes?
Mr. Bass calls Gustus this nickname after finding him injured.
What is "mi hurricane bwoy"?
The word “merciless” means this.
What is showing no pity or kindness?
This is what Mr. Bass is doing when Gustus sneaks away during the storm.
What is leading the people in singing hymns?
When Gustus sneaks out during the storm, his actions show that he feels this way about his banana tree.
What is protective (or deeply attached)?
This is how Gustus crosses the flooded river.
What is climbing over the debris caught by the wrecked bridge (or footbridge)?
This is the activity Gustus loves but his father thinks is "an evil game for idle hands."
What is cricket?
This word describes a terrible disaster like a home being destroyed.
What is calamity?
Gustus suffers this injury during his dangerous journey.
What is a broken arm (also acceptable: gash on chin, scratches, bruises)?
Gustus’s determination to save his tree shows this quality.
What is bravery or devotion?
This happens to Gustus's banana tree at the end of the story.
What is the fruit is torn off and falls to the ground (the tree survives but loses its fruit)?
This is how Mr. Bass's attitude toward Gustus changes at the end of the story.
What is he realizes how much Gustus wanted shoes / he shows compassion and understanding / he cries with grief and love?
When Gustus "grimaced," he did this with his face.
What is twisted it in pain or unhappiness?
This is the specific food Mr. Bass gave Gustus every morning to strengthen him.
What is "last milk" straight from the cow?
When Mr. Bass finds Gustus hurt at the end, his emotions quickly shift from anger to this.
What is guilt or love?
This is what Mr. Bass does with his boots after finding Gustus injured.
What is takes them off and tries to put them on Gustus (or throws them over his shoulder after being stopped)?
The boots at the end of the story symbolize this change in the father-son relationship.
What is Mr. Bass finally understanding his son's needs / seeing Gustus as deserving / showing sacrifice and love?
When Gustus's "venture" to save his tree is described as foolish, this is what the word venture means.
What is a dangerous, daring, or risky task/activity?
These are THREE things Gustus missed out on because he had no shoes.
What are: school outing at the factory, going to Government House, going to Ol' Fort in town, and playing cricket with his team?
The story shows that both Gustus and his father learn this important emotional lesson about each other.
What is understanding or empathy?