1. How effectively does Lynch present the athletic sectors of the camp? Does he give too negative a picture of sports like football, baseball, and wrestling? 2. Are their any positive elements of the camp's philosophy?

3. Are the characters meant to be villains given a human dimension or are they just stick figures easily dismissed? 4. Is Mikie a plausible character or are his competence and composure unrealistic? 5. Does Lynch generate any sympathy for Frankie or is his ordeal meant to be a fitting comedown for an overblown estimate of self-worth? 6. Consider any one of Elvin's letters and identify the kind of persona Elvin is emulating. 7. From the available information, develop a character description of one of the important but briefly seen characters like Thor, Elvin's mother, Mikie's mother or one of the sharp Brothers in the Arts Sector. 8. Note the contrasts in tone between Elvin's letters...