The Rockpile. Why does John not stop his brother Roy from going to play on the Rockpile? Why does Roy want to play on the rockpile? Why is John blamed even though Roy made the choice to go to the pile? Why does Gabriel look at John with such hatred? What secret causes Gabriel to resent his own son? Why does the mother move out of her husband's way and ask John to pick up the lunch pail? Does the mother know what might happen to John? Does she sacrifice her child to save herself? What does this say about the mother?

The Outing. Why are the Grimeses on a boat? Why does John stand up to Gabriel when Gabriel reminds him to behave? Why does Gabriel remind John to behave when the reader knows the Roy is more likely to act out? What...