Raphael
What is Raphael's job at the beginning of the novel?
He is a trash-picker/sorter at the Behala dumpsite.
Who is Raphael's closest friend?
Gardo
Who is the powerful politician connected to the missing money?
Senator Regis Zapanta, the Vice-President.
What is the relationship between Raphael and Gardo?
They are best friends and partners who work together on the dumpsite.
Which character would you describe as brave? Give one reason.
Answers will vary. Raphael, Gardo and Rat can all be justified with evidence.
Where does Raphael live?
In Behala, a large rubbish dumpsite/slum, with his auntie and extended family.
What important role does Rat play in helping Raphael and Gardo?
He helps them hide the bag and uses his knowledge and skills to help them investigate the mystery.
What is Olivia's role at the Mission School?
She is a young English volunteer/house mother working at the Mission School.
How do Raphael, Gardo and Rat support one another?
They use their different skills to protect one another and solve the mystery.
Choose one character and give two adjectives that describe them.
Answers will vary, but must include adjectives (describing words)
What does Raphael discover that changes his life?
A leather bag/wallet containing money and clues connected to the missing fortune.
Why is Rat particularly useful to the boys?
He is small, agile and street-smart, and knows places and people that the others don't.
Why does Father Juilliard become involved with the boys?
He runs the Mission School and supports the children of Behala. He also helps them access the school computer.
Why is the friendship between Raphael and Gardo important?
They trust and protect each other, allowing them to face dangerous situations together.
Which character is the most resourceful? Give evidence.
Answers will vary. Rat is a particularly strong choice because of his street knowledge and survival skills.
Why does Raphael decide not to simply hand over what he has found?
He realises the police are looking for the bag and that handing it over could put him and his friends in danger. He also wants to discover the truth.
How are Rat and Raphael different in their personalities?
Raphael is generally more cheerful and accepting, while Rat is more independent and street-smart.
Why is Senator Zapanta an important character?
He is the corrupt politician whose stolen fortune drives the central conflict of the novel.
How does the relationship between the boys and the adults reveal the power imbalance between them?
Adults such as the police and Zapanta have authority and resources, while the boys are poor and vulnerable. The boys must use intelligence and teamwork to challenge this power.
Which character changes the most during the novel?
Answers will vary. Raphael is a strong choice because his experiences make him more aware of danger, corruption and his own courage.
How does Raphael's attitude towards people in power develop?
He becomes increasingly suspicious and determined to resist corrupt authority rather than simply accepting what powerful adults tell him.
"The boys survive because they work together, not because one of them is a hero." Discuss this statement using Raphael, Gardo and Rat
Strong answers should explain how the three boys have different strengths and rely on one another.
Compare Senator Zapanta with one of the boys. How does Mulligan use these characters to show the difference between power and powerlessness?
Students could compare Zapanta's wealth, political influence and corruption with the boys' poverty. They should also explain how the boys use intelligence and solidarity to challenge him.
Choose two relationships in the novel. Explain how Mulligan uses these relationships to develop an important idea or theme.
Strong themes include friendship, loyalty, corruption, poverty, injustice and community.
Which character is the most important character in Trash? Defend your answer against Mr Thompson's arguments for another character.
There is no single correct answer. Students need to select a character and support their argument with detailed evidence.