7. What does Socrates force Darryl to do with Billy? Why was Socrates in prison? Darryl asks Socrates why he was prison. Socrates says he was put away for killing a man and raping his girl. 2. What are Socrates and his friends discussing in his house? Right Burke, Stony Wile, Howard Shakur and Markham Peal are all sitting in Socrates house, talking about how Howard's daughter, Winnie, saw a boy called Petis stab and rob another boy called LeRoy. Howard is seeking advice about how to handle the situation. What do the men conclude about Petis? The men conclude that if Petis is responsible for LeRoy's death then he is probably responsible for other murders as well. They decide that they need to do something about him. How do the men's views differ on how to deal with Petis? Three of the men have different opinions on how the situation should be handled. Right thinks they should kill Petis. Markham thinks they should go to the police. Stony feels they should tell everyone in the neighborhood about Petis and let the situation take care of itself. What happened to Clyde in prison? Socrates was in prison with a brutal man named Crazy Fitzroy. Another man called Clyde was into Fritzroy's cell and quickly developed mental problems. Socrates grew tired of hearing Clyde's screams and cries and one night, Socrates went into their cell and murdered the Fritzroy. Clyde was sent to a mental institution. Why does Socrates want to talk to Petis? Socrates suggests they go and talk to Petis. He expresses that they are not animals, so there is no need to behave it. Why does Socrates think that going to the police is not an option? Soctrates believes that going to the police is not an option. He says that the police are brutalizing black men and handing them another victim is just another strike against the black community. 3. Why does Socrate's visit Iula's on Tuesdays? Socrates visits Iula's diner at least once a month, on a Tuesday. Iula serves meatloaf on Tuesdays and that is one thing he is not able to make at home. Why does Socrates not like collecting bottles and cans? Socrates does not like the way the men treat him at Crenshaw's. They make him wait, while they stand around telling jokes. Then they check every can and bottle before accepting them. Why does Iula frighten Socrates? Iula frightens because he finds her appealing. He remembers how he raped the young girl and he has refused to be with a woman since. What is Wilfred's job? Wilfred is a thief. He goes to richer areas and robs people in parking lots. 4. What does Socrates think the abandoned shop used to be? Socrates imagines that the shop was once a bakery because of the blue and white checks on the window. He pictures the bakery full of hard working black people working long hours and earning good pay. Why does Ralphie anger Socrates? Once Socrates is alone with Ralphie, he becomes angry that Ralphie is ignoring him. He knows, because of his attire, Ralphie views him as a bum or a street person. Why does Socrates decide against fighting Ralphie? Socrates takes a deeper look at Ralphie and notices that he is wearing working. Socrates remembers a promise he made to himself to never hurt anyone again, except in self-defense. What is Socrates reason for walking home instead of taking the bus? Right Burke asks Socrates why he walked instead of taking the bus with Ralphie. Socrates explains that what he wanted was to make Ralphie feel bad for looking through him. 5. What does Socrates think of the Bounty Supermarket? In Socrate's eyes, the store is a glittering palace with a religious feel. The everyday noises of the store all mesh together into a music that lulls him. How did Socrates kill Shep and Muriel? One night Socrates went out partying with Shep and his girlfriend Muriel. When Shep fell asleep, Socrates had sex with Muriel. Shep woke up, a fight broke out between the two men and Socrates knocked Shep onto the floor. When Muriel started screaming, he hit her hard. It was not until the next morning that he realized his friends were dead. What does Socrates dream about in this chapter? Socrates dreams that he is back in prison, but can neither sleep nor read. He tells the guard of his problem, and the guard gives him a pillow to put over his head. Socrates can breathe with the pillow over his head and in anger throws a squeeze ball at a bulb, smashing it. What does Stony think about Socrates leaving the question on the application about felony's blank? One of the questions on the application asked if he had ever been arrested or convicted of a felony. Socrates told them "no." Stony tells him if he is not honest he the felony will always be hanging over his head. 6. How does Socrates view Darryl? Socrates views Darryl as a troubled child; a lost soul who did wrong but doesn't fully understand why. What is the dream that Darryl keeps on having? Darryl tells Socrates he has been having a recurring nightmare that keeps him from sleeping. In the nightmare, Darryl is in a large room with the lights out, but he is able to see the boy with the cut in his neck screaming and coming after him. What do Socrates and Darryl that Darryl's dream is about? Darryl and Socrates talk about what is causing Darryl's bad dreams. They come to the conclusion that Darryl is consumed with guilt about leaving the boy without even his mother knowing that he is dead. Why does Darryl think it would be a good idea to join a gang? Socrates asks Darryl if he is in a gang. Darryl says he is not, but the time may come when he has to be in one for protection. 7. Why is Corina upset with her husband Howard? Corina Shakur shows up at Socrates' home looking for Howard. Corina is upset, because she and Howard had an argument the night before and never came home afterwards. She tells Socrates that Howard has never stayed out all night before. Why did Corina and Howard argue? Socrates asks Corina what she and Howard fought about, and she tells him that she told Howard he should get a job at McDonald's or someplace until he can find work in computer operations. She says Howard has not had a job in nine months, and they have cut her hours at work. How does Socrates criticize Howard? When Socrates suggests that Howard is lazy, Corina defends him, saying he is just proud. Socrates says that Howard is not too proud to let his wife bring in all the money. Socrates says black men are always complaining how hard things are for them, but they are too proud. Why does Socrates think that Howard should be angry at what he said to Corina about him? Howard is angry at his friend for putting the moves on his wife. Socrates tells him that, as long as Howard is out and not in the home, Corina belongs to anyone she wants to belong to. 8. What imaginary conversations does Socrates sometimes have with Charles? Socrates he is motivating Charles to do something with his life. In his conversations, Charles tells Socrates that they are both at the bottom of the white man's ladder, and neither one of them can climb up. What does the bus driver tell Socrates about the lives of colored people? The bus driver tells Socrates that colored people are always on the move looking to get somewhere fast. She believes they need to just take a stand somewhere. Why does the ocean remind Socrates of his aunt? The ocean also reminds Socrates of his Aunt Bellandra. She once told Socrates that God is not black or white, but blue. He is blue, sad, cold and far away. The sand, wind and wild sea makes Socrates feel as though he is under a god's angry rage. What does Socrates think about the dog paw prints around him when he wakes up on the beach? When Socrates wakes up on the beach, he is surrounded by dog paw prints. He imagines that the dog protected him while he slept. 9. How does Socrates stop Philip and his two friends from hurting Darryl? Socrates knocks out and disarms Philip's two friends. He then slaps a gun from Philip's hand and pushes him off of Darryl. How does Socrates build up Darryl's confidence after the fight with Philip? Socrates tells Darryl that he landed a good punch. However the most thing is that he stood up for himself. He tells Darryl that "that's all a black man could do. You always outnumbered, you always outgunned." How does Darryl react when Socrates takes him to live with the MacDaniels? Darryl wants to stay with Socrates, but Socrates explains to Darryl that they will still see a lot of each other and going to live with the Macdaniels is what is best for him in the long term. Darryl leaves Socrates in tears. What does Socrates dream about his mother at the end of the chapter? Socrates dreams that he is sitting at the table at his mother's farm house when his mother walks up to him. He wraps his arms around her waist and puts his head on her breast. As she caresses his head, he falls asleep 10. Why is Socrates concerned about his job? Socrates is very sick with intestinal flu. He has not been able to call in sick and is concerned that he will lose his job. How does Socrates' boss react when he arrives back at work? Sol Epstein, Socrates' boss says that he guessed Socrates was sick and is glad to have him back at work. What does Socrates tell Theresa in his letter to her? Socrates writes that he misses her and wants to see her. He says that he figures she is married, has children, and possibly has grandchildren. He lets her know that since he has gotten out of prison, he has stopped the things he was doing. He explains that he has a job, friends and an apartment and wants to hear from her as a friend. What does Theresa's mother say in her letter to Socrates? Theresa's mother writes that Theresa passed away a year ago. She tells Socrates him where Theresa is buried and wishes him peace. 11. Why does Socrates stay at home during the riots? Socrates has been inside for three days watching riots on his muted television. He stays inside, not because of fear of what might happen to him, but because of fear of what he might do. How did the bookshop change Socrates? Socrates says that the bookstore changed him. It was a place that he could read and talk with others without being chased out for not buying anything. Why does Roland not like Socrates? Roland tells Socrates that he does not like him, because people like him cause so much heartache with their violence and lack of prayer. How does Socrates help Roland when his dying? When Socrates finds out Roland is dying, he takes him his weekly groceries and reads to him from the bible. When Roland dies, Socrates writes a speech, but nobody shows up for his funeral. 12. What does Bruce tell Socrates he would do if he knew a man that had murdered two people? Socrates asks a high school kid, Bruce Tynan at work what he would do if he knew someone had killed two people. Bruce tells him that he would tell the cops. Socrates says it was not on purpose, but Bruce says that it is up to the courts to find him innocent. Why does Socrates think that Ponzelle started the fire? Socrates saw Ponzelle in Richmond, dancing, sweating, talking gibberish and smelling of smoke. He followed Ponzelle home and his house was full of gas cans and rags. What does Socrates tell Shreve in the cafe? Socrates asks Shreve if a man is innocent until found guilty. Shreve tells him that a man is guilty if he does the crime. What does Socrates do with the reward money? Socrates uses part of the reward money to buy himself and Stony drinks and gives Stony a $100 for helping him kill Ponzelle. Socrates buries the remainder of the money in his back yard. 13. Why does Socrates blame businessmen for corruption? Socrates does not blame any particular race or nationality for the corruption he and his other poor black friends experience, but he does blame the businessmen. The business men will stop at nothing to climb higher up the ladder of success. Why did Socrates break the driver's nose? A man in a car hit a dog in the road and then tried to drive off. Before he could get anywhere, Socrates pulled in out of the car and hit him, breaking his nose. What does Socrates have to do in return for no jail time? In return for no jail time, Socrates agrees to apologize to the court, to Benheim, and to the community. He also agrees to fifty extra hours of community service talking to young black children about his life and what he has done wrong. How does this chapter show that sometimes violence is necessary? In this chapter there are two examples when violence is necessary. The first example is when Socrates punches the driver for killing the dog. The second example is when he has to live by the holding cell's rules. 14. How does Socrates talk Right out of killing himself with a gun? Socrates tells Right that he can't shoot himself Luvia's house and if he did it in Socrates' house, the police would soon be on his back. Right then says he can go to the park, but Socrates tells him that he can barely walk to the end of the block. What do Socrates and Right do at Dilley's At Dilly's, Socrates and Right, drink, laugh and have a great time. Right flirts with his waitress, Charla, and she seems to enjoy his flirting more than the large tip he gives her. What does Right tell Socrates at the bus stop? When the bus is coming, Right says he does not plan to get on. Instead he insists that Socrates leaves him to dies. The way Right feels tonight, drunk and high, is the best he will ever feel again. Why can Socrates not wave goodbye to Right? Socrates gets on the bus and runs to the back to wave goodbye to Right one last time. However, the bus is too crowded, and he can't get there in time.

8. What does Socrates think the abandoned shop used to be?

9. What is the dream that Darryl keeps on having?

10. Why does Socrate's visit Iula's on Tuesdays?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Discuss elements of the narrative structure: exposition, conflict, complication, climax, resolution and conclusion. Do all the elements make for a logical and linear story? How does the story's structure express the novel's themes?

Essay Topic 2

Aside from the main character, examine the way Mosley uses the other characters in the book. When does he introduce and take them away from the story? What effect does it have on the story?