1. After reading the first paragraph, identify the narrator, the point of view, and the dialect.
The narrator is an adolescent boy named Dave who lives in the south and works to keep food on the table for his family. He along with his father and mother have heavy southern accents and speak using poor English.
2. What is Dave's mother's response when he asks her if he can buy a gun? How does he ask her?
At first she doesn't agree to allow him to get a gun but after much begging she finally says yes, but under one condition. He asked her by holding up the catalogue he received from Joe at the store and pointing to the gun section hesitantly. He was told to immediately return home after purchasing the gun and give it to his father. He decided to rebel and keep it for himself and practice using it.
3. What is Dave's reaction when pressed to tell the truth? What is the crowd's reaction when he tells?
He is hesitant when asked to tell the truth but when he finally does the crowd laughs at his foolishness. One man claims that "he knew it was a bullet wound." Altogether, they weren't surprised.
4. Think of the train as a symbol. What do you think it represents?
The train symbolizes the journey to manhood. Even though I believe that his actions in leaving were cowardly, maybe his living alone will teach him what it's really like to be a man.
5. Is society better off without individuals like Dave? Should they celebrate his departure?
They shouldn't necessarily celebrate his departure but they shouldn't feel like they're at a loss because his cowardly behavior is not something to look up to. He disobeyed his parents then lied about it. Hopefully his journey will make him realize what the qualities of a real man are.
No comments:
Post a Comment