Characters
The main character of the story, known for his bad luck.
Who is Murphy Murphy?
The age Murphy is turning during the events of the story, a time he believes is especially unlucky.
What is thirteen?
The central theme related to unfortunate events and a specific 'law'.
What is bad luck or Murphy's Law?
The type of production Murphy was in when he froze onstage.
What is a play?
The audience's reaction is to the new performance.
What is they laugh with them (or applaud/enjoy it)?
Murphy's crush who asks him to be in the skit.
Who is Tiffany?
Murphy's previous embarrassing public performance involved this.
What is a fifth-grade play?
A key message of the story is the importance of learning from this.
What is failure (or past mistakes)?
According to Murphy's little brother he is considered this at his old elementary school.
Where is legendary?
Murphy's plan to pass the note fails because.
Murphy's friend who constantly reminds him of his past failures.
Who is Mikey?
Murphy is asked to participate in this activity with Tiffany.
What is a skit?
The feeling Murphy experiences whenever he has to perform in public.
What is anxiety or embarrassment?
Murphy's mother did this when she saw the look on his face as the curtains opened.
What is scream?
This is the main internal conflict Murphy faces throughout the story.
What is his fear of public embarrassment (or stage fright)?
The person who yelled at Murphy from the audience during his fifth-grade play.
Who is his mother?
Mikey does this for Murphy during the play
What is be a life jacket? wait in the wings, stay on the side of the stage?
This character trait helps Murphy decide to try the skit despite his fears.
What is courage or resilience?
This character keeps bringing up the incident long after it happened.
Who is Mikey?
This is the main conflict in the story.
What is Murphy vs. himself (internal conflict)?
This character provides some encouragement and helps Murphy overcome his fears.
Who is Tiffany?
This character's law states, "If something can go wrong, it will.
"Who is Murphy? (Referring to "Murphy's Law")
The story suggests that while things can go wrong, you must still do this.
What is keep trying?
Even after the curtains were closed, this happened to Murphy.
What is he had to be carried away by two teachers and a janitor?
The lesson Murphy learns by the end of the story about taking risks.
What is sometimes the "worst" that can happen isn't so bad after all?