3. By the beginning of Chapter 6, some time has passed since Spenser's case with the Giacomins; but, he really cannot stop thinking about the whole situation. It bothers him at a basketball game during a date with his girlfriend, Susan. What does this extended concern that Spenser shows for Paul and the discontent that Spenser feel for Patty and Mel show about Spenser's character?

4. What type of person does Paul Giacomin appear to be?

5. What does the discussion that Patty and Spenser have in Chapter 8 reveal to the audience about Patty's real character?

6. What type of person does the narrator seem to be?

7. How does Spenser diffuse the situation between himself, Buddy, and Harold in Chapter 11?

8. Based on what we read in Chapter 2, what types of personal qualities would be necessary to handle Spenser's job? Why?

9. If you were Spenser, what would you have done differently in Chapter 2?

10. What type of person does Patty Giacomin seem to be?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Spenser and Susan's relationship is very different from Mel and Patty's.

Part 1) Explore the relationship between Susan and Spenser in a more in-depth way; how do they treat each other (i.e., Spenser uses manners when speaking to Susan; Susan is always truthful to Spenser, even when it is not something that he necessarily wants to hear);

Part 2) How does the relationship between Spenser and Susan affect Paul?

Use specific examples from the text to support your answers.

Essay Topic 2

One major theme throughout the book is autonomy, or self-reliance. We see that Spenser is a very self-reliant individual, and he sees that Paul is not, and that without the skills of autonomy, Paul will not be able to survive on his own. Explore the idea of autonomy as it relates to Paul; what will his world look like if he continues down the path that he was on before he met Spenser. What will his world look like after he leaves Spenser for school? Use instances from the text to support your answer.