Why does Brent care that he is not dressed in the right costume for the party?

Describe Brent's parents and their relationship with each other.

Why doesn't Brent admit that he tried to kill himself?

Does Mrs. Zamora know how much she is giving Brent? Does she know how much he needs what she gives him? Does it matter?

Do you think Brent gets off too easy? Would something else have been better punishment? Would something else have been better justice?

Why does Fleischman alternate Brent's story with the stories of people touched by the whirligigs?

Describe how the whirligigs touch people's lives.

Would the end of the story be different if the artist had not been there? If so, what would change?