4. When Bart's grandmother promises Bart his heart's desire as she rocks him in her rocking chair, what uncharacteristic thing does Bart suddenly want?

5. What does Bart's birth defect prevent him from doing?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does John Amos teach Bart during their first lesson?

2. Why does Jory agree not to tell his parents about Apple?

3. Why is Bart upset with Apple after he returns home from the hospital?

4. How does Jory find Apple when he checks on him during Bart's hospitalization?

5. What has Jory been told of his mother's past?

6. Why does Bart's grandmother tell Bart never to run away from his parents?

7. What is Bart imagining when he is hidden in the garden with his painful, infected knee?

8. According to the journal, why did Malcolm distrust women?

9. Why does Bart prefer Apple over Clover?

10. What is Cathy writing about?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Bart's initial duality multiplies with John Amos's coaching. How does Bart's skill at make-believe add to his confusion? Is Malcolm's personality a pretense for Bart? Which personality dominates in the last three chapters? Explain how John Amos' coaching has permanently affected Bart

Essay Topic 2

Recognize a theme in the novel. Which scenes exemplify the theme? What other themes can be found? Which characters are used to demonstrate theme?

Essay Topic 3

Define John Amos's role in the novel. Why does he act as his wife's butler? Why does he revere Malcolm Foxworth? How does he manipulate situations to better serve his purposes?

(see the answer keys)

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