1. Locate and explain the cultural references in Elvin's letters and show how they are related to the themes of the book and the development of Elvin's character. 2. Slot Machine is set at a Christian Brothers Academy retreat. In light of Lynch's observation that he has "decidedly no affiliation" with respect to religion, how does he approach the question of religious instruction at the camp?

3. If Slot Machine were to be made into a film, who would you suggest play the characters? Explain and support your choices. 4. Elvin is impressed with a book he finds in the library which attempts to provide instruction for a wrestler. Compile a list of books written to the purpose of introducing a discipline and note some of the common aspects of these books in terms of their approach. 5. Two of the books that Elvin is...