Chapter 1
- The novel begins with the line, “To have a reason to get up in the morning, it is necessary to posses a guiding principle.” What kinds of examples does the author give of “guiding principles”?
- A belief of some kind; bumper stickers.
- What does Conrad’s room look like when he gets back from the hospital?
- All the posters have been removed.
- What is ironic about the fact that Conrad’s bumper sticker posters are all gone?
- His room now looks like the hospital because of the blue walls.
- What did Dr. Crawford do to prepare for his return to school and life? What was his advice?
- Dr. Crawford gave him a routine for everything. His advice is tat it’s okay to feel anxious and to have a bad day once in a while.
- What is Con’s physical appearance like? What does he notice in the mirror?
- Cut hair and pale face. He noticed a weird rash on his face and his eyes looked different.
- What does Calvin require that Conrad do today? Why?
- To get up from bed and to make sure that he follows his everyday routine.
- “They are people of good taste. They do not discuss a problem in the presence of the problem. And, besides, there is no problem.” Give the context of this quote and explain what it means.
- It describes his parents. They want to pretend that everything is okay.
- What is “Target Day”? Explain.
- It was the day that he’s suppose to be home from the hospital.
- How do the “May flies” related to Conrad?
- Conrad spends his time on how to act and follow his daily routine just like may flies.
- How did Conrad define “faith” after his experience in the hospital?
- He didn’t really believe in anything anymore. He’s just trying to get through the day.
Chapter 2
- Describe Beth. What’s she like? What seems to be important to her?
- She has a flat stomach, nice hair, and round face. Image is very important to her.
- What does Beth think about Conrad’s clothes?
- It’s not decent and she thinks that he should wear nicer clothes.
- Why is it important to Beth that Conrad stops by the Lazenby’s after school on his first day back to school?
- Because she doesn’t want her friend to ask her why Conrod doesn’t stop by.
- What is Calvin Jarrett’s background? Why is it challenging for him to “be a father”? What does he think being a good father means?
- He’s in an orphanage since the age of four. He doesn’t know how to be like a father because he never have one. He thinks that being a father means he have to make sure that his son follows his routine everyday.
- What are the “signs” that good father’s were supposed to look for according to Calvin?
- If Conrod sleeps properly or if he have a good diet or not. He tried not to put too much pressure on the kid.
- What other ways does Calvin talk about what it means to be a father? What was the vision that he had of his two sons?
- That being a father is more than trust luck. – Kid with loud music besides them or playing basketball and just being a regular kid.
- How does Calvin’s view of being the “kid from the Evangelical Home” color his view of fatherhood?
- He doesn’t know much about being a father.
- What does the breakfast scene tell you about the family dynamics? Between Conrad and Beth? Between Conrad and Calvin? Beth and Calvin?
- They like to pretend that everything’s okay. But they are all very intense.
- What is the image of Conrad’s old self that everyone expects Conrad to be?
- To play sports and making good grades in school.
- What’s different about Conrad after the hospital? Whose opinions do we hear as the reader?
– He’s more quite. – Conrod’s oponions.
CHAPTER 3
- Why is Conrad stressed about Lazenby being late to pick him up?
- He’s afraid that his mother’s going to drive him.
- What is the “gray disease”? Elaborate.
- The worrying about Conrod, because if they act different or start questioning, then he might be his old self again.
- What did Conrad’s grandmother eagerly remind him of? How did Conrad feel about it?
- How much pressure his father was in these past months. He doesn’t care, because it’s too much for him.
- What is the significance of “good taste” as it relates to the story, characters, and themes?
- Normal people have good taste, because they know what to say and when to say it.
- How does Stillman treat Conrad? Give examples. How does Conrad respond?
- A stupid person, because he’s not in the same grade as they are. Stillman asked him about a book that Conrad was reading, and he talks to Conrad like a piece of junk. Conrad just stay quite and act along with him.
- Describe Lazenby and Stillman. What are they like? Personalities?
- Lazenby is kinder and still treat Conrad like a normal kid. However, Stillman is mean. He’s popular so he gets all the girls even though he doesn’t deserves them.
- What is Conrad’s opinion of Stillman? Divers?
- That everything comes easy for Stillman. But he thinks that he’s a crappy diver, because divers are crappy.
- How does Miss Melon treat Conrad?
- She treats him like he’s slow and she gives him extra attention.
- How does Conrad feel about making mistakes in the past? And now?
- It wasn’t that big of a deal before, but now he feels like he have to be perfect. That there cant be any mistake.
- Why would Conrad prefer “indifference to concern”?
- He would rather be not get notice at all instead getting special attention.
- Why does Con like chorus? What about chorus makes him feel secure?
- It’s the time when he can let his guards down. The teacher didn’t really care about anything except to sing, and he likes singing.
- What happens with Conrad’s swim coach? How does he treat Conrad? What does he ask Con?
- He yawn and the coach catches him. They have a talk after prace and the coach asked him if he’s on medication, and then he asked Conrad to stay afterschool for more practice if he wants to be on the team.
- What is Con’s interaction with his mother like when he gets home?
- His mother kind of ignore him.
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