DUE, MONDAY, MARCH 7. FINISH BOOKS. PREPARE FOR POST IT CHATS. ANSWER ALL OF THESE QUESTIONS. IN ADDITION, YOU NEED TO LIST THREE IMPORTANT THEMES OR MAIN IDEAS FOUND IN YOUR BOOK. FOR EACH IMPORTANT THEME, LIST AT LEAST THREE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES. (THIS IS GOING TO HELP YOU GET READY FOR YOUR NEXT RESPONSE TO LITERATURE WHICH WILL BE TO WRITE A LITERARY ESSAY ABOUT THE CAY OR THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM).** PLEASE NOTE, THIS ASSIGNMENT WILL BE GRADED!!!

THE CAY:

  1. What did Philip really mean when he asked Timothy, “Are you still black?”
  2. Read the passage below and discuss how Philip’s blindness made it easier for Philip to become closer to Timothy and cast aside his former prejudice. How had Philip’s prejudice caused him to misjudge Timothy’s real character?

“I had now been with him (Timothy) for two months but I had not seen him. I remembered that ugly welted face. But now, in my memory, it did not seem ugly at all. It only seemed kind and strong.”

  1. A symbol in literature is an object or an act that represents an idea or an entire set of ideas. Consider the act of Philip’s climbing the coconut tree. How is this a symbolic act? What is its significance?
  2. What sacrifice did Timothy make on Philip’s behalf during the hurricane?
  3. What was Timothy’s legacy to Philip (lasting impact) and how did it help him continue his fight for survival?
  4. What was the one object Philip took with him from the island? What was its special significance?
  5. What was Philip’s dream for the future?
  6. The setting of a novel is the time and place where the story occurs. What are the two main settings of this novel? Why are two different locations important to this novel? Make sure you explain how they connect to the theme or main idea. Provide evidence from the text.
  7. Why is the context of the times in which the story was written also so relevant to this story?
  8. Look up the lyrics to the song, Everything is Beautiful. What do you think the meaning of the line, “There is none so blind as he who will not see” means? Explain its relevance to the book. Jot down any other response to the SONG’S LYRICS.

THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM

  1. In what ways do Kenny and Byron reverse characters in the Colier’s Landing incident?
  2. Do you think Byron and Kenny should have kept the incident at Collier’s Landing a secret from their parents? Explain.
  3. Why do you think it takes Kenny so long to grasp the seriousness of the bombing or realize that Joey is alive?
  4. Why do you think the author describes the Watsons’ trip south in detail but does not describe the trip back to Detroit?
  5. Why do you think Kenny spends time behind the couch after returning home? How might his time there really help him?
  6. What do you think Byron means when he said, “Kenny, things ain’t ever going to be fair…But you just gotta understand that that’s the way it is and keep on stepping…” Was this good advice? Would you have said something different to Kenny?
  7. Why do you think the author put information about the Civil Rights movement at the end of the book in the epilogue instead of in a prologue at the beginning?
  8. What did the flickering lightbulb that was swinging from the ceiling of the church symbolize?
  9. Re-read chapter fourteen. Where does the mood change? Why was a change of mood necessary at this point in the novel?
  10. The setting of a novel is the time and place where the story occurs. What are the two main settings of this novel? Why are two different locations important to this novel? Make sure you explain how they connect to the theme or main idea of the story. Provide evidence from the text.
  11. Look up the lyrics to the song, Everything is Beautiful. What do you think the meaning of the line, “There is none so blind as he who will not see” means? Explain its relevance to the book. Jot down any other response to the SONG’S LYRICS.

BUD, NOT BUDDY-FINISH BOOK

  1. How is racism exhibited in “Bud, Not Buddy.” Give at least two specific examples from the book.
  2. Despite being related by blood, family relationships can be strained. What do you think Bud’s relationship will be like with Herman E. Calloway now that he knows Bud is his grandson?
  3. How would you best describe Bud’s relationship with his mom? Give evidence from the text to support your answer.
  4. Does the author of this book have a sense of humor? List three examples to support your answer. Why is it important to have a sense of humor?
  5. Describe the relationship between Bud’s mother and Herman C. Calloway. Discuss ways you could tell Momma still loved her father. In what ways could they have made their relationship better?
  6. How does having hope help Bud in his life? What are a few examples of Bud having hope?
  7. How do the flyers in his suitcase represent hope?
  8. How is Bud a survivor? What type of survival skills does he use?
  9. How do the rules represent survival for Bud? Will he still need to use his “rules” with his new family? Explain.
  10. Look up the lyrics to the song, Everything is Beautiful. What do you think the meaning of the line, “There is none so blind as he who will not see” means? Explain its relevance to the book. Jot down any other response to the SONG’S LYRICS.