Plot
What is the name of the dead boy the protagonists set out to find?
Ray Brower; they find out about the body from Vern overhearing his brother while Vern was trying to dig up pennies from under his porch.
The quote "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve" reflects which theme?
a. The innocence of childhood
b. The power of friendship
c. The unavoidable nature of change
d. The loss of innocence
d. The loss of innocence
The struggle of his brother's death and his parent's emotional distance belongs to which character?
Gordie Lachance; eventually he becomes more accepting of his parent's distance and neglect, but these are two issues that he struggles with at times in the novel.
What career does Gordie end up having as an adult?
A writer/author
Gordie's encounter with which animal represents a moment of pure, unblemished innocence?
A deer
Over their journey, these two characters bond over their shared vulnerability. Which two characters?
Gordie and Chris
When Gordie says, "The most important things are the hardest to say," what is the author suggesting?
a. Gordie has a speech impediment
b. There is a complexity to expressing deep emotional truths
c. That writing stories is extremely difficult
d. The boys' have an inability to communicate effectively
b. There is a complexity to expressing deep emotional truths
How does Chris demonstrate leadership throughout the journey?
a. By physically fighting others
b. By making all decisions
c. By mediating conflicts
d. By bringing the most supplies
c. By mediating conflicts
Chris is a natural mediator and tries to find ways for the boys to demonstrate solidarity.
What is the significance of the ending where adult Gordie is writing this story?
a. It shows his professional success
b. It demonstrates the healing power of storytelling
c. It proves his superior intelligence
d. It reveals his regret about the past
d. It reveals his regret about the past
The use of ______________ by the author in the pivotal scene of finding the body and getting into conflict with the Cobras (older gang of boys) symbolizes the emotional state of the main characters.
Weather (also would accept storm, hailstones, rain, etc.)
Which character battles between morbid fascination and genuine empathy when they boys finally discover the dead body?
Gordie Lachance
Who said this quote?
"Because we're taking him. If you go, we'll take him. If you stay, we'll hurt you and then take him."
Ace Merrill
Which character's trauma plays out through his reckless and risk-taking behaviors?
Teddy DuChamp. He denies his father's abuse and throughout the story takes risks like car and train dodging as well as trying to fight Milo Pressman, the town dump owner.
In the end, Chris held what type of job, despite his family's reputation and the societal expectations that were put upon him?
A lawyer
What type of track represents the path for the boys to adulthood and destiny?
Train tracks
What is the full name of the character that Chris threatens to shoot at?
Ace Merrill; this conflict demonstrates a test of the younger boys' courage and solidarity. Chris and Gordie stayed together, but the other two did not stand in solidarity with them.
Who said this quote?
"Your friends drag you down...don't you know that. Your friends do. They’re like drowning guys that are holding onto your legs. You can’t save them. You can only drown with them.”
Chris Chambers
Which character says "I never knew what I was going to be" to demonstrate that social expectations of his family limit his opportunities for the future?
Chris Chambers
What ultimate realization about friendship does Gordie reach as the narrator?
a. Childhood friendships are meaningless
b. Friends always stay together
c. True friendship shapes who we become later in life
d. Friendship is temporary
c. True friendship shapes who we become later in life
When was the last time Gordie went to the tree house to hang out with the guys?
Spring of 1961; this is symbolic of how childhood friendships change and evolve over time.
After the older gang of boys had their payback, what ended up being broken on Gordie?
"they broke my nose and two fingers, as well as giving me a large number of minor injuries."
"And although I've since written seven books about people who can do such exotic things as read minds and precognit the future, that was when I had my first and last psychic flash." What event happens just after this quote?
The train comes along the tracks when they are still on the bridge.
Which character's leadership style grows more collaborative and supportive as the journey progresses?
Chris Chambers; He also becomes more of a mentor to Gordie as the story goes on.
What happened to all of the boys at the end of the book?
Vern: dies in a house fire
Teddy: dies in a car crash along with 5 others
Chris: was stabbed and killed in line at a restaurant
Gordie: became a successful author
What is a "goocher" and what does it mean?
Flipping coins and getting 4 tails in a row is a goocher. It means bad luck. This happens to the boys before Gordie goes to the store to get supplies and foreshadows the shenanigans to come in the story.